The Prince of Cambridge is simply darling.
It all began shortly after 8 am when Kensington Palace confirmed the Duchess had been admitted to the Lindo Wing at 6 am in "the early stages of labour". Kate travelled from the Palace by car with William. There was a flurry of excitement from royal fans and the media frantically assembled outside the hospital.
At 1.05 pm, the Palace confirmed the Duchess had been safely delivered of a son weighing 8 lbs 7 oz at 11.01 am. Mother and baby were doing very well and the Palace added that members of both families were "delighted".
'The senior medical team that looked after Kate during her labour were named by Kensington Palace, with Guy Thorpe-Beeston, surgeon gynaecologist to the royal household, and consultant gynaecologist Alan Farthing, surgeon gynaecologist to the Queen, joined by two familiar colleagues.
Dr Sunit Godambe, a consultant neonatologist at Imperial College NHS Trust, which runs St Mary's hospital, was part of the group that cared for the duchess during her previous two births alongside Mr Farthing and Mr Thorpe-Beeston.
Professor Huw Thomas, physician to the Queen and head of the medical household, completed the team. He was also involved with the birth of Princess Charlotte.'
In keeping with tradition, the framed birth notice was placed on display on a ceremonial easel on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.
A notice has been placed on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace following the announcement of the birth of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's third child.@KensingtonRoyal pic.twitter.com/82ZCB7F2aQ— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 23, 2018
Events throughout the day moved incredibly quickly and shortly after 4 pm a smiling William left the Lindo Wing revealing he would be "back in a minute".
As hoped for, he returned with two very special visitors.
Big brother George, dressed in his school uniform, helped William with Charlotte.
Once the Princess got on her feet she was incredibly relaxed about the media attention. Charlotte was cute as a button in a periwinkle dress from Little Alice London. The brand is owned by Alice Avenel, a friend of Kate's from Marlborough College.
The children made their way inside to meet their little brother.
I think Charlotte, who celebrates her third birthday on 2 May, has got the royal wave down.
George and Charlotte made a short visit; I'm sure they are incredibly excited to have another playmate.
There's an adorable moment at the end of the above video when George and Charlotte enter the Lindo Wing and sweet George walks over to his sister and puts his arm around her.
Less than several hours after the birth of Baby Cambridge, William and Kate were ready to depart for home, and as with George and Charlotte, posed on the steps of the Lindo Wing to introduce their son to the world.
The beaming proud parents.
Kensington Palace captioned this photo 'Welcome to the World'.
Less than several hours after the birth of Baby Cambridge, William and Kate were ready to depart for home, and as with George and Charlotte, posed on the steps of the Lindo Wing to introduce their son to the world.
The beaming proud parents.
Kensington Palace captioned this photo 'Welcome to the World'.
They both looked absolutely thrilled.
Baby Cambridge is fifth in line to the throne after Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
The newborn is the first in history not to overtake a female sibling in the line of succession. The Telegraph added: "Under the 2013 Succession to the Crown Act, the male-preference primogeniture was replaced with absolute primogeniture. The act meant any royal born after 28 October 2011 would precede his or her siblings, regardless of sex. It means Princess Charlotte remains fourth in line to the throne with the new (male) baby at fifth in line. Prince Harry drops down to sixth in line."
A lovely shot of Kate with her beautiful baby. He was wrapped in a blanket by G. H. Hurt & Son - the Nottingham-based brand who also made shawls for George and Charlotte when they were born.
The mother of three looked overjoyed.
In a statement, the Palace said: "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their son will travel home to Kensington Palace. Their Royal Highnesses would like to thank all staff at the hospital for the care and treatment they have received. They would also like to thank everyone for their warm wishes."
In a statement, the Palace said: "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their son will travel home to Kensington Palace. Their Royal Highnesses would like to thank all staff at the hospital for the care and treatment they have received. They would also like to thank everyone for their warm wishes."
After presenting the baby on the steps, the couple returned inside to put the prince in his car seat. As they left hand in hand, Prince William said they are "very happy" and "delighted". He joked: "Thrice the worry now. We didn't keep you waiting too long this time."
And when asked about the name he said: "You'll find out soon enough."
Seven years ago William and Kate were less than a week away from this...
...it's been quite a journey.
A recap of our first look at all three Cambridge babies.
It's a hat-trick for Kate's trusted designer Jenny Packham. When Kate had George she created a blue polka dot dress; for Charlotte it was a yellow and white floral design; and today a very pretty red dress with a white peter pan collar. Kate looked radiant; it's hard to believe she gave birth only hours before the photos were taken.
It's a hat-trick for Kate's trusted designer Jenny Packham. When Kate had George she created a blue polka dot dress; for Charlotte it was a yellow and white floral design; and today a very pretty red dress with a white peter pan collar. Kate looked radiant; it's hard to believe she gave birth only hours before the photos were taken.
A closer look at the white lace peter pan collar.
It's been suggested the choice of red was a nod to St George's Day, England's national day. Royal fans also quickly noted striking similarities between the dress and the frock Diana wore when she left hospital after Harry's birth in 1984.
The Duchess accessorised with the Queen's diamond and pearl earrings. Kate's worn them on a number of occasions.
Kate completed the look with her Gianvito Rossi 85 praline pumps.
A sample of tomorrow's papers.
My warmest congratulations to William and Kate!
My warmest congratulations to William and Kate!
A word of thanks to all who participated in the Live Blog throughout the day; your input added to the enjoyment of it all enormously. It's one of those special days royal watchers will remember in years to come. We can expect to find out the prince's name in a day or two! :)
