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.
Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
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.
Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
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 and Prince William welcomed a baby boy into the world today, on St George's Day, weighing 8lbs 7oz, at 11.01am. Prince William has just left the London hospital where he told crowds: "Back in a minute" and has now returned with Princess Charlotte and Prince George. Princess Charlotte gave the crowds an adorable wave as she totted up the steps of the Lindo Wing to meet her new royal baby brother. Prince George appeared slightly shyer as the third in line to throne, still dressed in his school uniform, kept his eyes downcast. George and Charlotte have later returned to Kensington Palace going through a back door.
GETTY Royal baby: Kate and William left the hospital at 05.56pm after presenting the newborn to the crowd
The Duchess and Duke of Cambridge introduced the newborn to the world coming out from the hospital's front door at about 5.53pm. The smiling couple couldn't hide their excitement while waving to the crowd. Kate, who was holding the new Prince of Cambridge, stunned those outside the Lindo Wing with an amazing red Jenny Packham dress with a contrasting white collar. She looked in good health after giving birth this morning to her as yet un-named prince, who is fifth in line to the throne. While the happy couple was posing for pictures, baby Cambridge, wrapped up against the cool spring weather, could be seen moving his tiny fingers. After entering again the premises of the St Mary's, William, Kate and the baby left the hospital at 5.56pm to return to Kensington Palace. Earlier three cheers were given by fans donned in union flag outfits and holding their own royal babies following the announcement of Kate's new baby boy. Prince William was by his wife’s side when their royal baby was delivered by staff at the London hospital. The Queen, along with Michael and Carole Middleton, Prince Charles and Camilla have been told of the news.
PA Royal baby: Duchess of Cambridge with William
Kensington Palace announced the news on Twitter, writing: "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. "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 missed the arrival of the royal baby as Her Majesty was photgraphed horseriding on the grounds of Winsdor Castle around the time of the announcement. Earlier a Buckingham Palace spokeswoman confirmed to Express.co.uk Her Majesty is still in Windsor Castle, where she marked the official start of the London Marathon on Sunday. The spokeswoman also refused to comment on whether the Queen would visit Kate and the royal baby in the Lindo Wing but it appears unlikely as Her Majesty visited Kate and William’s other children Prince George and Princess Charlotte after the proud parents had returned to Kensington Palace.
GETTY Royal baby pictures: Kate holds baby Cambridge
PA Royal baby pictures: Kate and William leave St Mary's hospital
Prince George and Princess Charlotte will pay a visit to the Lindo Wing to meet their new baby brother. Kate is then likely to head home to Kensington Palace later today, just as she did with Charlotte in 2015 - but not before introducing the new royal baby to the world on the steps of the Lindo Wing. George visited newborn Charlotte a few hours after she was born in 2015, arriving with his father, the Duke of Cambridge. The 21-month-old slightly nervous looking youngster was carried up the steps to the private hospital by William, and gave the crowds a small wave. George, dressed in blue shorts, a white collared shirt, a blue pullover, long blue socks and black bar shoes, was given a reassuring a kiss on the forehead by the Duke. A large Union Flag has been raised over Buckingham Palace and a State Standard over Windsor Castle to mark the birth of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's third child.
Royal baby boy pictures: FIRST pictures as Kate and William leave hospital with new son Mon, April 23, 2018 Kate Middleton and Prince William today welcomed a royal baby boy weighing 8lbs 7oz. Play slideshow PA 1 of 44 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their newborn son outside the Lindo Wing
BBC Prince William arrives with Prince George and Princess Charlotte to meet their new brother
And an easel has been placed outside Buckingham Palace announcing the baby news. It will remain there for 24 hours. The practice of posting a bulletin outside the Palace announcing a royal birth has gone on for at least as long as Buckingham Palace has been the Sovereign's official residence - since 1837. Westminster Abbey announced their bell ringers will ring a full peal tomorrow in celebration on the latest addition to the Royal Family. The Westminster Twitter account said: 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." The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and The Honourable Artillery Company will also each fire celebratory Royal Salutes at 2pm in London tomorrow to mark the baby’s birth.
Theresa May has joined well-wishers as she sent her "warmest congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their baby boy." The Prime Minister added: ”I wish them great happiness for the future.” Meanwhile the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan tweeted: "On behalf of Londoners, I want to send our warmest congratulations to the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their baby boy." The Royal Navy and the BT Tower also shared messages of congratulations to Kate and William.
GETTY Royal baby news: Prince William leaves to pick up George and Charlotte
BBC Prince George and Princess Charlotte arrives to meet his new royal baby brother at the Lindo Wing
GETTY A large Union Flag has been raised over Buckingham Palace as well as a bulletin place out the front
Royal Navy sailors and Royal Marines on board the HMS Albion formed ‘boy’ on the ship’s flight deck and shared the photograph on Twitter. Meanwhile BT Tower flashed “It’s a boy” in a blue banner after the news from Kensington Palace was announced. The London Eye will also light up in red, white and blue later tonight at around 8pm in celebration of the royal baby boy. The arrival of Kate’s stylist Natasha Archer provided a hint that the announcement of the baby's birth was imminent after she was photographed leaving the hospital. Ms Archer was spotted getting into a Land Rover escorted by a police officer at around 11:30am today.
PA The Town Cryer announced the birth of the royal baby on the steps of the Lindo Wing
PA Royal baby news: The easel announcing the birth of a baby boy outside Buckingham Palace
At the exclusive Lindo Wing, the Duchess's labour was overseen by consultant obstetrician Guy Thorpe-Beeston, who is the surgeon-gynaecologist to the household, and consultant gynaecologist Alan Farthing, the Queen's surgeon-gynaecologist - part of the trusted team who delivered George and Charlotte. A team of top medics was also on stand-by in case of an emergency. The new royal baby has been born on patriotic St George's Day which celebrates the patron saint of England, and arrived just two days after the Queen's 92nd birthday. All of three of the Duchess of Cambridge's children have weighed more than 8lbs. But the new prince is not the heaviest royal baby in recent years.
PA Kate Duchess of Cambridge with Princess Charlotte and Prince William
PA Royal baby news: Harry and Meghan arrive at an event across London
That title falls to Savannah Phillips - the daughter of the Queen's grandson Peter Phillips - who weighed 8lb 8oz in 2010. The new baby was heavier than both Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Charlotte, at 8lb 3oz, weighed slightly less than George's 8lb 6oz - but was still above average. The average weight of a baby in the UK is around 7lb 7oz (3.5kg). Prince William weighed 7lb 1.5oz in 1982, while Prince Charles weighed 7lb 6oz in 1948. Prince Harry weighed 6lb 14oz in 1984. The newest arrival is the royal couple’s third child and will be welcomed by big brother Prince George, four, and two-year-old sister Princess Charlotte.
GETTY Royal fans have camped outside the Lindo Wing for days ready for the royal baby arrival
Royal baby photos: The cutest pictures of royal babies through the years Mon, April 16, 2018 Royal baby photos: Adorable pictures of royal babies from Queen Elizabeth to Princess Charlotte. Play slideshow Getty 1 of 35 The cutest pictures of royal babies through the years
The royal baby is the fifth in line to the British throne, pushing uncle Prince Harry into sixth place. Princess Charlotte made history when she was born, with the tot retaining her right to the throne even if the third royal baby is a boy. The new arrival is the Queen and Prince Philip’s sixth great-grandchild. Crowds gathered outside the hospital erupted in cheers when the news reached them. And now royal fans across the world will eagerly await the iconic moment Kate and William step out from the hospital to introduce their bundle of joy to the world.
PA Kate Duchess of Cambridge when she gave birth to Prince George
But they might have to wait a few hours as doctors run routine checks on mother and baby. Express.co.uk previously reported that when Kate gave birth to Prince George, she and Prince William delayed a public announcement so they could enjoy a few precious hours with their newborn without the world watching. The world’s media are stationed outside the private maternity wing of St Mary’s Hospital, where the happy couple will eventually emerge to show off their new baby to the world. Kate’s stylist, Natasha Archer, was seen leaving St Mary’s Hospital earlier this morning, sparking speculation Kate had a speedy birth and was already preparing to leave hospital. The new arrival is also expected to receive visitors including big brother and sister, George and Charlotte, Kate’s parents Carole and Michael Middleton and William’s father Prince Charles and his wife Camilla.
GETTY Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, has given birth to her third royal baby
REUTERS The world's media have gathered outside the Lindo Wing awaiting the royal baby's first appearance
PA Prince George arriving at the Lindo Wing to meet Princess Charlotte
Royal baby No. 3 is officially here and it’s another boy for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. After arriving at St. Mary’s Hospital in London on Monday, Kate Middleton gave birth to her third child with Prince William at 6 a.m. EST.
Kensington Palace released a statement shortly after the birth announcing that the new prince had arrived. “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,” Kensington Palace tweeted.
Middleton was admitted to the hospital in the “early stages” of labor with the royal baby earlier on Monday.
When they are ready to leave St. Mary’s, Their Royal Highnesses will likely pose for photos with the new baby outside the hospital’s private Lindo Wing, just as they did with Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
Kensington announced that Middleton was pregnant for a third time on Sept. 4, around a month before revealing that she was due sometime in April. “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to confirm they are expecting a baby in April 2018,” the Palace tweeted.
Kate and William have yet to release the royal baby’s name.
You can see a photo of the traditional birth announcement bulletin—which was framed and placed on a golden easel outside the palace—below.
