First picture of royal baby: Duke and Duchess of Cambridge show off newborn prince outside Lindo Wing at St Mary’s hospital
THE Duchess of Cambridge has paid homage to Princess Diana as she introduced the latest royal to the world hours after his birth.
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THE Duchess of Cambridge has paid an emotional tribute to the late Princess Diana as she and husband Prince William introduced their newborn son to the world.
Catherine and Prince William presented their new baby to hundreds of adoring fans outside St Mary’s hospital in Paddington, London just hours after his birth.
William said he was “delighted. Very happy. Thrice the worry now,” as he loaded the baby into a car seat ready for the short journey home to Kensington Palace at 6pm Monday, local time (3am AEST).
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When asked about a name for the boy, William said: “You’ll find out sooner or later.” Bookmakers have made Albert, Arthur, Jack, James and Fred the favoured names for a boy.
Just hours after giving birth Catherine looked stunning in a red collared dress and nude heels.
William wore a navy blazer over a shirt and no tie.
Kate’s dress, by UK designer Jenny Packham, whose outfits she also wore after the birth of her first two children when leaving hospital, bore a striking resemblance to the one in which Princess Diana was wearing when she left the same hospital in 1984 with Prince Harry.
The couple’s Kensington Palace office says Kate gave birth at 11:01 am local time to a boy weighing eight pounds, seven ounces (3.8 kilograms). The baby is the couple’s third child and is fifth in line to the throne.
Kate went into labour at around 6am.
The baby was wrapped up warm against the wind in a shawl from GH Hurt and Son Ltd.
It is the same brand that was used to wrap up Prince George and Princess Charlotte when they were born.
“The company has a long-standing connection with The Royal Family,” Kensington Palace said in a statement.
“Other members of The Royal Family have been presented with these shawls in the past and The Duke of Cambridge, Prince George and Princess Charlotte had similar shawls when they were babies.”
Kate and William appeared relaxed as they smiled and waved to the cameras.
Hundreds of fans packed outside the hospital erupted into screams when the couple appeared.
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Nurses and patients in the St Mary’s building opposite the private Lindo ward where the baby was born were also peering out the windows to get a glimpse of the newborn.
An anti-monarchy protester caused some disruption in the crowd by yelling on a megaphone about a “baby born into privilege” just moments before William and Catherine left the hospital.
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Shortly before the first glimpse, Prince William brought his older children to meet their newborn brother.
William left St. Mary’s Hospital five hours after the birth of his third child, promising to be “back in a minute” as he emerged from the hospital just after 4pm local time.
He soon returned with four-year-old Prince George and Princess Charlotte, who turns three next week.
George strode up the stairs of the Lindo Wing holding on to his dad’s hand, while Princess Charlotte turned back to wave.
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“Their Royal Highnesses would like to thank all staff at the hospital for the care and treatment they have received,” Kensington Palace said earlier in a statement.
“They would also like to thank everyone for their warm wishes.”
Barack and I are thrilled to congratulate The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their newest arrival! We hope to meet him soon for a Kensington Palace pajama party. I’ll wear my robe! pic.twitter.com/9zR7M049HR
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) April 23, 2018
My warmest congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their baby boy. I wish them great happiness for the future.
— Theresa May (@theresa_may) April 23, 2018
ROYAL WATCHERS WELCOME NEWBORN ROYAL
The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to her new son just after 11am Monday, local time.
The news brought cheers from dedicated royal-watchers outside London’s St. Mary’s Hospital, where a self-appointed town crier proclaimed the birth.
The words “it’s a boy” were flashed in lights around the top of London’s BT Tower, which can be seen for miles around.
Prince William was present for the birth of his son, who is fifth in line to the throne.
The palace says “the queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and members of both families have been informed and are delighted with the news.”
A 2013 change to the law means that for the first time in British history, a new prince will not supplant his older sister in the order of succession. Previously younger males would take precedence over older female siblings. William’s younger brother Harry, who marries US actress Meghan Markle next month, falls to sixth.
The official announcement of the birth was made by placing a notice on an easel in the forecourt of the queen’s London home, Buckingham Palace, a tradition that has been in place since it became the sovereign’s official residence in 1837.
William and Kate Middleton met as students at St Andrews University in Scotland. They wed at Westminster Abbey in April 2011.
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