It's a BOY! Duchess of Cambridge gives birth to healthy baby and future King weighing 8lb 6oz at 4.24pm with proud Prince William by her side
- Birth announced by a press release sent out from the palace at 8.30pm GMT
- Official announcement then placed on easel outside Buckingham Palace for the waiting crowds to see
- Duchess of Cambridge and her son are both doing well and will remain in hospital overnight
- Queen and Duke of Edinburgh said to be 'delighted' at news of their great grandson's birth
- The Prime Minister, Archbishop of Canterbury and Leader of the Opposition all express their congratulations
- David Cameron says 'the whole country will celebrate' the birth of the new Royal baby
- Kate was admitted to hospital at around 5.30am and arrived in car with Prince William
- The 31-year-old planned to give birth to the royal baby naturally and she was not induced into labour
- Future king was born at the same hospital in Paddington where Princess Diana had Princes William and Harry
- Prince William was by his wife's side at the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital in London
- He will now take two weeks' paternity leave and accept the full entitlement of £136.78 per week
- The royal couple did not know the sex of the baby who will replace Harry as third in line to the throne
- Royal couple helped to St Mary's by protection officer who went with Prince Harry on infamous Vegas trip last year
- Police officer shows off his security briefing note in full view of hundreds of cameras this afternoon
- Royal Navy crew on HMS Lancaster and HMS Kent spelled out 'Boy' on deck as a tribute to royal couple
PUBLISHED: 19:30 GMT, 22 July 2013 | UPDATED: 05:13 GMT, 23 July 2013
An overjoyed Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are the proud parents of a ‘beautiful’ baby boy, as Britain celebrates the birth of a future king.
The couple’s son was delivered at 4.24pm yesterday in the private Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington weighing a bouncing 8lbs 6oz and with his proud father looking on.
The as yet unnamed baby will be given the title His Royal Highness and be known as Prince (Name) of Cambridge, after a decree by the Queen earlier this year.
The new prince is third in the line of succession, displacing Prince Harry to fourth and the Duke of York to fifth, although he may not become sovereign for half a century or more.
Recent legislation allowing female heirs to automatically accede to the throne if they are first born will clearly not affect the Cambridge’s son, but will have a bearing on any of his children.
The big day has arrived: An easel stands in the Forecourt of Buckingham Palace in London to announce the birth of a baby boy, at 4.24pm to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at St Mary's Hospital
It's a boy: The message displayed outside the palace telling the world that there is a new prince in the British royal family
The Queen's Press Secretary Ailsa Anderson with Badar Azim, a footman, place the official document
Celebration time! Thousands of well wishers mob the gates of Buckingham Palace as the news of the Duchess of Cambridge's baby was revealed tonight
The waiting crowds cheer as the Queen's Press Secretary Ailsa Anderson with Badar Azim a footman place on an easel in the Forecourt of Buckingham Palace a notification, to announce the birth of a baby boy
Britain rejoices: Monarchists clamour for a better view as the news is revealed outside the Queen's home
A police officer tries to control a crowd of people trying to get to the railing to take pictures of the notice proclaiming the birth of the Royal baby
Happy: One girl shouts with joy as she hears that the couple have had a baby boy
Fascinated: Two children in the crowd climb on adults' shoulders to grab a better view of the palace
News of the royal birth - which came after an 11 hour labour - was not made public by Kensington Palace until 8.29pm last night, four hours after the baby was born.
Sources said the couple ‘just wanted to spend a little time together to bond as a family’ and inform members of both families privately before the news was disseminated to the world. William made those calls personally.
The Queen, who arrived back at Buckingham Palace just after 3pm yesterday, declared herself ‘delighted’ - as did all.
Kate, 31, will remain in hospital overnight with her baby - her husband is also, unusually, expected to stay with her - but may be discharged as early as tomorrow after being assessed by doctors first thing.
Surprisingly, no family visitors were expected last night - not even the Middleton family - as the couple want to spend some time alone together, sources told the Mail.
Ram: People straining to look at a notice formally announcing the birth of a son to Britain's Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge
Iconic: Crowds climb the Victoria memorial to try and get a better view
Photographers: Members of the public are desperate to capture a piece of the special moment
Resplendent:The baby boy was born at 4.24pm and weighed in at 8lbs 6oz
In its official statement Kensington Palace said : ‘Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 4.24pm.
‘The baby weighs 8lbs 6oz.
‘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 and will remain in hospital overnight.
Royal aide Ed Perkins leaves St Mary's with the official announcement that the Cambridges' son has been born
A Jaguar car is driven into the Forecourt of Buckingham Palace bringing the news to announce the birth
After the message's delivery, the Queen's senior Page Philip Rhodes, right, is given the official notification in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace
A day for celebrations: Royal fans mob the gates of the Palace, trying to get the best photographs as the announcement is put in place
Blue for a boy: The crew of HMS Lancaster celebrate the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's son on patrol in the Caribbean
Tribute: Sailors on the HMS Kent spelled out the word BOY on the ship's flight deck to send their best wishes and congratulations to the royal couple
Vast: Crowds of tourists and well-wishers gather on the steps of the Queen Victoria Memorial Statue and at the gates outside Buckingham Palace today as they wait for the royal baby to be born
Preparations: Crowds have flocked to the areas outside Buckingham Palace, where the baby's birth will be announced in the coming hours
Excited: Huge numbers of people are gathering outside Buckingham Palace, which has had a red rope erected to control crowds
Anticipation: For weeks people have been sleeping outside the Lindo Wing, where the baby is born, and now many will also wait outside the Queen's home
Royal excitement: Enthusiasts gather outside Buckingham Palace today and some tourists cool off in the fountains on what has been the hottest day of the year
Royal baby coming: Members of the public cool off in the pools outside Buckingham Palace today as the country waits for news about the royal birth
Fever pitch: There were huge cheers and a rushing crowd as the Queen arrived back at Buckingham Palace with one of her dorgis this afternoon ahead of the birth of the royal baby.
Hot weather: Police officers carry bottles of water outside St Mary's Hospital this afternoon as the heatwave continues
Police presence: A major security operation is underway at the west London hospital with dozens of officers on duty to maintain order
Grandfather, Prince Charles out and about in York today going ahead with his normal schedule as his son was at the Duchess' bedside in west London
Echoes through time: Charles and Diana showed off their newborn son Prince William to an enthralled nation outside the Lindo Wing in 1982
