Just seven hours after giving birth to her third child, Kate Middleton appeared on the steps of the Lindo Wing at St. Mary’s Hospital on Monday evening with Prince William by her side to introduce their new baby boy to the world.
The royal baby was wrapped in a white shawl in his mother’s arms as he was presented to the enthusiastic crowds of well-wishers who gathered outside the hospital, anxiously awaiting a peek at the newborn prince.
Kate looked stunning in a red dress with a white collar (almost identical to the dress Princess Diana wore after giving birth to Prince Harry) by Jenny Packham after a visit from her go-to stylist, Natasha Archer, who was spotted leaving the Lindo Wing an hour before the royal gave birth.
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And just like after her first two post-baby debuts, Kate’s signature blowout was styled to perfection.
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Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock
The royal mom opted for dresses by Jenny Packham for her first two births as well. She wore a yellow floral silk shift dress after Princess Charlotte’s birth and a blue polka-dot dress after welcoming Prince George.
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Kate was admitted to the hospital before 6 a.m. on Monday morning.
“Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was admitted to St. Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London earlier this morning in the early stages of labor,” the statement reads.
“The Duchess travelled by car from Kensington Palace to the Lindo Wing at St. Mary’s Hospital with The Duke of Cambridge.”
The new royal baby Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock
The new royal baby Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock
The new royal baby will be the fifth in line of succession after Prince Charles, William, George and Charlotte. Prince Harry — currently fifth in line to the throne — will be bumped to sixth in line.
Will and Kate presented all three of their children on the very same steps.
Proud dad William said the couple was “very happy, delighted” as he expertly fit the baby carrier into the car before the couple made their way back to their home at Kensington Palace.
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Holding up three fingers, he said, “thrice worry now,” adding, “We didn’t keep you waiting too long.”
When asked about the name the said, “You’ll find out soon enough.”
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Earlier in the day, he brought George and Charlotte to the hospital to meet their new baby brother. Charlotte charmed the crowds with her expert royal wave!
The new royal baby is fifth in line of succession after Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
The new royal baby has arrived!
Prince William and Kate Middleton welcomed their third child — a prince — on Monday, Kensington Palace announced.
“Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 1101hrs,” the statement said. “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,” the statement continued. “Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well.”
Big brother Prince George, 4, was at school when his little brother was born and big sister Princess Charlotte, who turns 3 in May, was at home at Kensington Palace.
The name of the baby boy will be announced in due course, the palace said. Albert and Arthur are tied as the most popular names for a boy – at 5-1 and 9-1, respectively, according to British oddsmakers.
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The self-proclaimed Royalist Town Crier walked up to the famous steps of the Lindo Wing and called out, “God Save the Queen,” and announced the birth of the baby prince.
The newest royal family member was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in London – just like George and Charlotte. Kate was admitted to the hospital before 6 a.m. (U.K. time) in the early stages of labor on Monday.
The royal baby is the fifth in line of succession after Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
Per royal protocol, an official announcement will be posted with the full details on an easel in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.
It’s expected that close relatives – led by Kate’s parents, Carole and Mike Middleton, and William’s father Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall – will come to see the couple and their as-yet-unnamed newborn before the couple leaves the hospital.
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Following the celebratory formalities, including a gun salute in one of the London parks, the couple is expected to take their baby home to nearby Kensington Palace, where great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth may then visit.
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As the couple takes in their first moments with the new baby, royal fans have gathered outside the hospital in hopes of another mini press conference like the one William and Kate held to debut George and Charlotte.
Just as with her first two pregnancies, Kate, 36, battled acute morning sickness, also known as Hyperemesis Gravidarum, during her first trimester. Once she resumed her royal duties, she hit the ground running, supporting World Mental Health Day, welcoming future sister-in-law Meghan Markle for the holidays, joining William for their busy tour of Sweden and Norway and walking the red carpet at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards (just to name a few royal outings!).
The baby’s arrival comes just weeks before Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to tie the knot at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
Kate Middleton only gave birth to her third child a few hours ago — but she is already back at home at Kensington Palace. She left the hospital just seven hours after giving birth.
But why does Kate make such a quick exit from the hospital? Well, in the U.K., it isn’t very unusual. In the U.S., new mothers average two days in the hospital before heading home. However, in the U.K., new moms average a day and a half — the shortest postpartum hospital stays of any high-income country, according to a 2016 article in The Guardian. Though Kate did spent the night after giving birth to Prince George in 2013, she left less than 10 hours after welcoming Princess Charlotte in 2015.
Prince William and Kate Middleton
“The length of time a woman spends in hospital will vary depending on their needs,” Louise Silverton, the director for Midwifery at the Royal College of Midwives, told The Guardian. “Midwives need to check to make sure women feel up to going home. However, provided the woman is medically fine, has the support she needs at home and the right postnatal care plan in place, and a good community midwife service, then going home even five or six hours after birth may be absolutely fine.”
Kate Middleton and Prince William just a few hours after welcoming Princess Charlotte Samir Hussein/WireImage
Another reason for Kate’s quick exit — one that’s entirely unique to her — is the sheer frenzy her presence causes at the hospital. Fans camp out for weeks outside and parking restrictions are put in place. Kate, of course, is not the only mother giving birth at the Lindo Wing, and the activity and noise would be overwhelming for anyone.
RELATED VIDEO: Kate Middleton and Prince William Welcome Baby no. 3
If Kate goes home to Kensington Palace today, help is only a phone call away if needed. Members of her medical team are likely on stand-by in case Kate or her new baby boy needs anything.
But there’s one big moment to go before they head home: Just before leaving the hospital, we’ll get a glimpse of the littlest royal on the steps of the Lindo Wing with proud parents Kate and William.
THE Duke and Duchess of Cambridge beamed with joy as they introduced their baby boy to the country and the world.
William and Kate left St Mary's Hospital with their new arrival after posing for pictures on the steps of the Lindo Wing.
Rex Features Beaming Prince William and Kate show off their baby boy to the world
PA:Press Association The royal baby, Kate and William's third child, was born weighing 8lbs 7oz at 11:01am today
After briefly stepping back inside to fetch a carrier for their adorable tot, Wills and Kate reappeared to a waiting royal car.
As Prince William carefully placed his son inside and helped Kate into the motor he gestured to the cameras with three fingers up.
He joked: "We are very happy, very delighted — thrice the worry now!"
Apparently asked about the potential name of their son, Wills replied: "You will find out sooner or later."
Follow our LIVE BLOG for all the updates on the arrival of Kate and Wills' third tot
Rex Features The Royal couple stepped out of the Lindo Wing this evening after the birth of their third child
Rex Features The fifth-in-line to the throne was carried out by his proud parents this evening
PA:Press Association Wills and doting Kate posed for pictures on the steps of the Lindo Wing
Rex Features The adorable tot was shown off to the country and the world
Reuters William and Kate share a loving glance as the country meets their third child
AFP or licensors Kate gave birth to the health baby boy at the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital today
Getty - Contributor Prince William points to the cameras and the crowds as he and wife Kate's new boy is introduced to the world
AP:Associated Press Wills and Kate wave and point to well-wishers
Getty Images - Getty Beaming Wills and Kate Middleton smile after the birth of their boy today
PA:Press Association Prince William and Kate look down at their healthy tot on the steps of the hospital
Getty Images - Getty Wills appears to gesture three fingers - possibly a reference to his third child - as he gets into a car
Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to the healthy baby boy weighing 8lbs, 7oz at 11:01am this morning.
The royal family are said to be delighted with the news, with the Queen having been informed of the arrival of the fifth-in-line to the throne.
Earlier, delighted dad Prince William arrived at the maternity wing with excited Prince George and Princess Charlotte to meet their new brother.
Little Charlotte, two, appeared to be particularly excited and waved at the waiting press as she and her big brother Prince George, four, walked hand-in-hand with their dad.
Paul Edwards - The Sun Prince William and Kate wave to crowds of well-wishers after introducing their baby boy to the country
Andrew Parsons Prince William gestured with three fingers as he joked he now had 'thrice the worry'
Splash News Prince William places his new baby boy in the back of a waiting car to head back to Kensington Palace
Getty - Contributor Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge depart the Lindo Wing
Dan Charity - The Sun The royal car enters the grounds of Kensington Palace carrying Prince William, Kate and their baby boy
William tells Kate 'There's Arthur!' as couple spot Sun's royal photographer whilst showing off new baby boy Prince to the world
In a statement, Kensington Palace said: "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. Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well."
They added: "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."
The Queen today celebrated the birth of her latest great-grandchild with a horse back ride at Windsor Castle.
Rex Features Earlier, Prince William smiles as he takes his children in to meet their new baby brother
PA:Press Association The adorable pair have a new brother
PA:Press Association Little George wearing his school uniform and Princess Charlotte walked to the hospital with dad William
AFP and licsensors Princess Charlotte caught everyone's hearts with her cute wave
AFP and licsensors Princess Charlotte gives an adorable wave as she follows her dad and big brother into the hospital
PA:Press Association Kate Middleton has given birth to her third child, a boy
PA:Press Association The official notice of the baby's birth being set up at Buckingham Palace
PA:Press Association The formal notice was placed outside Buckingham Palace
Official formal announcement of Duke and Duchess' third child via traditional ornate golden easel at Buckingham Palace
Getty - Contributor The town crier shared the exciting news outside the hospital
Kay Burley asks a group of Japanese people if they've come far to see the royal baby for them to reply that they're from Devon
It's the first time in history that a boy will not precede his older sister in the line of succession, with Princess Charlotte remaining fourth, behind brother George but in front of her new male sibling.
Royal watchers will now wait with bated breath for the first official portrait of the new family-of-five.
Excitement had today reached fever pitch when Kate's stylist was seen leaving the Lindo Wing - a sign she was preparing to leave.
Many royal fans have been camped outside the hospital for weeks, eager to catch a sight of the little boy - Kate and William's second son.
Messages of congratulations to the young family have already started to flow in - with Prime Minister Theresa May tweeting: "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."
The Sun's legendary royal photographer Arthur Edwards expresses his joy as Duchess of Cambridge gives birth to third child
� Kelvin Bruce The Queen, pictured today, celebrates the birth of her latest great-grandchild with a ride at Windsor Castle
London News Pictures Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrive at a service to mark 25 years since Stephen Lawrence was killed
PA:Press Association Royal fans John Loughrey, left, and Terry Hutt, right, wait excitedly outside the hospital this morning
Reuters Excited royal fans celebrated this afternoon
The third baby will become fifth-in-line to the throne
The town-crier also declared the happy news, wearing the traditional outfit as he shared the announcement outside the Lindo wing.
A large Union flag was also raised over Buckingham Palace, while a State Standard was raised over Windsor Castle to celebrate the birth of the baby boy.
Other messages of support even came from the Royal Navy, proudly spelling out BOY! on board the HMS Albion.
Celebrities have also been posting messages of congratulations.
Liam Payne wrote on Twitter: "Congratulations to her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge Kate and the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William on the birth of their baby boy! #RoyalBaby".
Speaker John Bercow told the Commons: "I am sure the whole House would want to join me in sending Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, our warmest congratulations on the birth of their son."
Congratulations to her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge Kate and the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William on the birth of their baby boy! #RoyalBaby 👶🏻 — Liam (@LiamPayne) April 23, 2018
Warmest congratulations to The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their third child. The Abbey's bell ringers will ring a full peal of Cambridge Surprise Royal, starting at 1pm tomorrow, in celebration #royalbaby pic.twitter.com/9diiLgHL0X — Westminster Abbey (@wabbey) April 23, 2018
Unofficial town crier announces Duchess of Cambridge has given birth to a baby boy at St Mary's Hospital
Reuters Members of the crew of HMS Albion form the word "Boy!" on the flight deck to celebrate the birth
"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." - PM @theresa_may — UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) April 23, 2018
Loose Women panel get excited as they announce the birth of a new Prince for Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge
AFP and licsensors Royal fans celebrate the news of the baby boy's arrival
PA:Press Association Customers and staff outside the Duchess of Cambridge pub in Windsor celebrate the news that the Duchess of Cambridge has given birth to a son
