Duchess of Cambridge admitted to hospital, has a baby boy
THE Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have welcomed a baby son. The new prince arrived at 11.01am (local time) on Monday, weighing 8lb 7oz (3.9kg), Kensington Palace announced.
THE Duchess of Cambridge has given birth to a baby boy.
Kensington Palace posted the news on Twitter, saying: “Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 1101hrs. The baby weighs 8lbs 7oz.
“The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth.
“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.
Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well.
READ THE LATEST ON THE ROYAL BABY HERE
Earlier, a statement from Kensington Palace confirmed the impending birth, stating Kate Middleton travelled to St Mary’s Hospital with her husband, Prince William on Monday morning UK time.
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was admitted to St. Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London earlier this morning in the early stages of labour.
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 23, 2018
The Duchess travelled by car from Kensington Palace to the Lindo Wing at St. Mary’s Hospital with The Duke of Cambridge.
The world’s media are gathered outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital ahead of the birth of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s third child. pic.twitter.com/FLr1lL2AyT
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 23, 2018
Royal watchers gathered outside the hospital in anticipation for the new arrival, who is fifth in line to the throne, bumping Prince Harry into sixth place.
The baby will follow Prince Charles, who is next in line, Prince William, Prince George, 4, and Princess Charlotte, 2.
The Duchess of Cambridge is being cared for in the private Lindo Wing, where she gave birth to her first two children. Barricades have been in place since April 9 with fans lining up for 15 days. Her stylist, Natasha Archer, was spotted leaving the hospital around 10am the Mail Online reports.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte could make an appearance to visit the new addition as has been done in the past. George visited newborn Charlotte a few hours after she was born in 2015, arriving with his father, the Duke of Cambridge.
MORE: Adorable royal sibling tradition
More than 30 years earlier, two-year-old William held hands with his father, the Prince of Wales, as he entered the hospital in Paddington, London, to see his mother, the Princess of Wales and one-day-old Prince Harry early on September 16 1984.
The newspapers at the time reported how William, who was dressed in red shorts, a white shirt with red embroidery, white ankle socks and traditional leather bar shoes, ran down the corridor into Diana’s arms as she called his name. He was said to be “very, very excited about seeing his new brother”.
MORE: Name could remain mystery for days
Outside the luxury wing that costs more than $13,600 a night, fans gathered to get a glimpse of the new arrival
Veteran royal watcher John Loughrey has been camped outside for two weeks and said he would be thrilled if the baby arrived on April 23 - St George’s Day in the UK.
“I’m so pleased it’s St. George’s Day,” he said. “St. George himself would be very pleased if the baby’s born today.”
Maria Scott, 46, from Newcastle has also been there for 15 days.
“It’s really important to show support because they need to know how much they are loved by the people,” she said. “We’re very proud of our monarchy.”
Another royal fan Terry Hutt, 82, is a former soldier who had spent two weeks on the pavement. He said he wanted to see a “healthy baby”.
THE PREGNANCY
As with all of her pregnancies, Kate was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum — an extreme form of morning sickness — in her first trimester, prompting the palace to announce the news earlier than the standard three-month mark.
The statement, released last September, read: “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their third child. The Queen and members of both families are delighted with the news.”
Despite her sickness, the 36-year-old continued working until March 22.
The third royal baby is tipped for a speedy arrival. In 2013 Kate gave birth to Prince George in 10 and a half hours after being admitted to hospital, while Princess Charlotte made her appearance in just two hours and 34 minutes.
While it varies from woman to woman, many mothers report a much speedier birth when it comes to baby number three.
ROYAL ARRIVAL
The arrival of the third baby will be marked with a bulletin on display at Buckingham Palace.
A brief formal announcement — on foolscap-sized paper set in a dark wooden frame — will be placed on an ornate golden easel on the forecourt of the Palace. It confirms the sex of the baby and the time of birth, but gives little else away, other than usually revealing that the baby has been “safely delivered” and mother and child are “doing well”.
It used to be handwritten, but is now typed. It will also be signed at the hospital by the doctors who tended to the duchess, and then ferried back to the Palace by car.
During her previous births, the Duchess has made an appearance with the royal bub outside the hospital, giving the world’s media and early look at the new arrival.
ROYAL NAME
The names given to royal babies are not usually revealed straight away, and the public is often left guessing for several days.
William and Kate took two days to announce both George and Charlotte’s names, informing the Queen of their choice beforehand.
The birth will be celebrated with a 41-gun salute in Green Park or Hyde Park — and a 62-gun salute at the Tower of London.
Bookies are tipping Mary as a potential name for the royal bub, followed by Alice and Victoria. For boys names, Albert, Arthur, Fred and Philip are favourites.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be on hand to dote on the new arrival as they live next-door in Kensington Palace and are said to be keen for a baby of their own.
On a trip to Belfast, the American former actress joked when she was shown an innovative range for newborns: “I’m sure at some point we’ll need the whole (lot).”
In an interview in 2016, Markle said becoming a mother was on her “bucket list”. “I can’t wait to start a family, but in due time,” she said. Harry has also said he would love to have children.
— With wires
Sussexes silence ongoing rumours with PDA
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle put on a loved-up display at the Invictus Games Opening Ceremony, silencing their critics with one photo.
Unexpected new detail about Meghan’s show
Weeks out from the premiere, insiders who have seen the eight-part series have spilled secrets about what’s actually in it.
‘Tantrums’: Staff spill on Will, Kate dynamic
An explosive book lays out new claims about the private royal couple’s relationship behind closed doors.