Just seven hours after giving birth to her third child, Kate Middleton appeared (in heels!) 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 (from royal favorite brand GH Hurt and Son Ltd) 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 (shop similar looks here and here) after a visit from her go-to stylist, Natasha Archer, who was spotted leaving the Lindo Wing an hour before the royal gave birth. She paired the look with nude suede heels.
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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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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.
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.
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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.
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! We didn't keep you waiting too long this time."
Asked about the potential name of their son, Wills replied: "You will find out sooner or later." Bookies have made Albert, Arthur, Jack and Fred the favoured names.
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 on patriotic St George's Day this morning.
She later wore a vibrant red dress - seen as a nod to Princess Diana - and smiled at hundreds of well-wishers and assembled journalists as she cradled her newborn alongside husband William.
The royal family are said to be delighted with the news of the birth, 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 this afternoon.
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
Rex Features Throngs of photographers and reporters line up outside the hospital to take the precious first photos of the royal baby
Reuters The baby boy was born weighing a healthy 8lbs 7oz
AFP and licsensors The rosy-cheeked tot was carried out by proud Wills and Kate today
Getty Images - Getty Kate, William and their newborn boy left the Lindo Wing this evening
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
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.
