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.
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty
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.
Karwai Tang/WireImage
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.
Let the royal baby countdown begin!
Kate Middleton arrived at the hospital to welcome her third child with husband Prince William, the palace confirms Monday.
“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 royal mom was admitted before 6 a.m. (U.K. time) to the same hospital where she gave birth to Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
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.
The news comes just days after members of the royal family gathered to celebrate the Queen’s 92nd birthday with a concert bash at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Saturday night. Kate was absent from the festivities as she her due date neared.
Kate Middleton Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock
Kate Middleton
The Middleton family has lots to celebrate as Kate’s sister, Pippa Middleton, is reportedly expecting her first child with husband James Matthews.
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A group of devoted royal fans have been camped outside the hospital since April 9 in anticipation of the royal baby’s birth. Terry Hutt, 83, and John Loughrey, 63, are among the supporters who have a clear view of the famous door to the Lindo Wing, where Will and Kate will debut the royal baby.
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
“I know the routine so we wanted to get here for the best view,” Hutt tells PEOPLE. “We’re excited, over the moon.”
For Loughrey, who has wanted the birth to occur on St. George’s Day, is crossing his fingers that Kate does indeed have the baby on the national day of England today.
“I had a sense it was going to be today,” he says.
Adds Hutt: “We are going to celebrate later with fish and chips.”
Prince William and Kate Middleton Karwai Tang/WireImage
Prince William and Kate Middleton
The soon-to-be mother of three first announced her pregnancy in September in a statement from the palace.
“Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their third child,” the statement read. “The Queen and members of both families are delighted with the news.”
RELATED VIDEO: Royal Baby Watch: Here’s What to Expect When Kate Middleton Gives Birth to Baby #3
Just like her previous pregnancies, Kate suffered from Hyperemesis Gravidarum during her first trimester, which led her to miss Prince George’s first day of school. But she resumed her royal duties by her second trimester, keeping up a busy schedule until the weeks leading up to the birth. At an event in February, Kate joked that William was “in denial” ahead of the arrival of their third child.
Ruaridh Connellan/Barcroft via Getty Images
Anwar Hussein/WireImage
Kate gave birth to daughter Charlotte in May 2015 only two-and-a-half hours after being admitted to the hospital. And just 10 hours after she gave birth, she appeared on the hospital steps looking stunning as she introduced the baby princess to the world.
The arrival of Will and Kate’s third child could be historic: If the baby is a boy, he will not displace big sister Charlotte in the line of succession, thanks to a measure that passed just after Will and Kate’s 2011 wedding. Up until this change, a younger son would usurp his older sister’s place when it comes to inheriting the throne.
KATE Middleton gave birth to her third child on April 23, 2018.
But these are the unusual royal birthing rules that the Duchess of Cambridge had to follow in order to adhere to tradition. Here's the lowdown...
Getty - Contributor Kate Middleton has given birth to her third child - a baby boy
The royal family has a set of customs they follow when any baby is born – including who the first person to be told the news is.
Other practices dictate who is allowed in the birthing room and how the birth is announced to the British public.
1. The Queen has to be the first to know
The Queen must be told a child has been born into the royal family before the news is announced publicly.
It's reported that Prince William rang his grandmother on an encrypted phone when Prince George was born.
Traditionally, the announcement has always been on an easel outside Buckingham Palace.
Kate and William broke this protocol and announced it on Twitter with Prince George.
Splash The Queen has to be the first person to know when a baby is born into the royal family
2. The town crier announces the news to the public
Town crier Tony Appleton announced the births of both Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
This custom harks back to medieval times when people couldn’t read or write.
3. Home births are preferred
As is tradition, the Queen gave birth to all of her children in Buckingham Palace.
Princess Diana broke this rule and gave birth to sons Prince Harry and Prince William at London’s St. Mary’s Hospital in the private Lindo Wing.
Kate also had her three children at this hospital.
PA The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcomed a baby boy 0n April 23,2018
4. Dads are banned from the birthing room
Giving birth is considered a female-only event and fathers are not allowed in the delivery room.
This rule is believed to have been relaxed after the birth of Prince Charles.
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5. Midwives are sworn to secrecy
Midwives are not allowed to disclose any information about the birth.
It’s thought Kate Middleton had three midwives with her during the birth of Princess Charlotte.
Here's your guide to the best maternity outfits the Duchess has worn.
PRINCE George and Princess Charlotte have left the Lindo Wing after meeting their new baby brother.
The young royals smiled and waved as they walked hand-in-hand with their dad Prince William into the hospital after Kate gave birth to her third child this morning.
Rex Features Prince William smiles as he takes his children in to meet their new baby brother
Princess Charlotte appeared to be particularly excited to meet her new baby brother, waving at waiting media as she and her big brother Prince George walked next to their dad.
They were later taken back to Kensington Palace ahead of Wills and Kate's departure later today — rumoured to be within the hour.
The royal couple's new baby boy was born at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington this morning, weighing in at 8lbs, 7oz, at 11.01am.
The Royal family are said to be delighted with the news, with the Queen informed of the fifth-in-line to the throne's arrival earlier today.
Follow our LIVE BLOG for all the updates on the arrival of Kate and Wills' third tot
Proud Dad Prince William exits Lindo Wing after Kate Middleton gives birth to a baby boy -their third child at St Mary's hospital
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
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.
PA:Press Association The adorable pair have a new brother
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
Buckingham Palace has displayed the official announcement of the birth
The news was shared on Twitter, saying that the Duchess and new baby were doing well
The news was shared with the royal family
Official formal announcement of Duke and Duchess' third child via traditional ornate golden easel at Buckingham Palace
PA:Press Association It's a big year for the royal family, with William and Kate welcoming their second son
Getty - Contributor The town crier shared the exciting news outside the hospital
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.
Many are now hopeful of a glimpse of the new family-of-five, with many hoping to see the latest addition to the royal family.
Excitement had today reached fever pitch when Kate's stylist was seen leaving the Lindo Wing - sparking speculation that Kate had already been prepared to step out in front of the public to introduce her son.
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
Reuters A man dressed as a town crier shouts outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital
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
Twitter A large flag has been raised over Buckingham Palace
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
Getty - Contributor The Duchess of Cambridge was admitted to the Lindo Wing in the early hours of this morning
Reuters Scenes of excitement unfolded outside the hospital
AFP and licsensors Royal fans celebrate the news of the baby boy's arrival
Some of the royal fans have been outside the hospital for weeks
Royal fans clink glasses as they celebrate the baby boy's birth
Sky News One excited woman couldn't hide her wide grin after finding out the news
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
Sky News The Sun's royal photographer Arthur Edwards speaks on Sky about the exciting arrival
The news is being shared far and wide
PA:Press Association The happy family has welcomed their third child - a baby boy
