Thousands
of well-wishers descended on Buckingham Palace on Monday night to
celebrate the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's baby boy.
Many tried to glimpse a formal bulletin announcing the 16:24 BST delivery of the baby, who weighed 8lb 6oz.The birth will be marked later with a series of gun salutes and the ringing of Westminster Abbey's bells.
Prince William said the couple "could not be happier". Kensington Palace said the baby would be named in due course.
The duke stayed with Catherine and the new arrival - the third in line to the throne - overnight at the private Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, west London.
BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt said it was unclear how long the baby would be kept in.
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The official bulletin was signed by members of the medical team at the hospital
The world now awaits the couple's choice of names for their son, who will be known as the Prince of Cambridge.
George is the bookmakers' favourite, followed by James and Alexander.At 14:00 BST, the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery will stage a 41-gun salute in Green Park, after riding past Buckingham Palace.
At the same time, the Honourable Artillery Company - the City of London's army reserve regiment - will fire a 62-gun salute from Gun Wharf at the Tower of London.
And the church bells of Westminster Abbey, where William and Catherine were married in April 2011, are expected to ring out for three hours from 14:00.
'Doing well' After the new arrival was announced in a statement issued by Kensington Palace, a large cheer went up from well-wishers and journalists outside the hospital.
“Start Quote
Prince CharlesIt is an incredibly special moment for William and Catherine and we are so thrilled for them on the birth of their baby boy”
A bulletin - signed by the
Queen's gynaecologist Marcus Setchell, who led the medical team that
delivered the baby - was taken by a royal aide from St Mary's to
Buckingham Palace under police escort.
It was then displayed on an easel in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace in line with tradition.The notice announced the delivery of the baby, adding: "Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well."
Kensington Palace said the Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth of his son.
"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," a statement said.
The Prince of Wales, in a separate statement, said he and the Duchess of Cornwall were "overjoyed at the arrival of my first grandchild".
"It is an incredibly special moment for William and Catherine and we are so thrilled for them on the birth of their baby boy," he added.
"Grandparenthood is a unique moment in anyone's life, as countless kind people have told me in recent months, so I am enormously proud and happy to be a grandfather for the first time and we are eagerly looking forward to seeing the baby in the near future."
David Cameron: "A wonderful moment"
Prime Minister David Cameron, speaking outside Downing Street, hailed the "wonderful news".
"It is an important moment in the life of our nation but I suppose, above all, it's a wonderful moment for a warm and loving couple who've got a brand new baby boy," he added.
He said the Royal Family could "know that a proud nation is celebrating with a very proud and happy couple tonight".
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said: "I am sure that people across Scotland will be absolutely thrilled to hear the news of the birth of a baby boy to the Royal couple and will want to join me in wishing the proud parents many congratulations."
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“Start Quote
Archbishop of CanterburyMay God bless this family with love, health and happiness in their shared life ahead”
And Welsh First Minister Carwyn
Jones congratulated the couple "on behalf of the people of Wales" as
"they enter their journey into parenthood".
The Archbishop of Canterbury, meanwhile, said he was
"delighted to congratulate the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the
arrival of their baby boy"."Along with millions here and around the world, I share in their joy at this special time," added the Most Reverend Justin Welby.
"May God bless this family with love, health and happiness in their shared life ahead."
And US president Barack Obama was among foreign leaders to send their good wishes, saying of the duke and duchess: "We wish them all the happiness and blessings parenthood brings. The child enters the world at a time of promise and opportunity for our two nations."
Royal head of news Ed Perkins, under police escort, took the notice from the hospital to Buckingham Palace
The news sparked celebrations among royal fans waiting outside St Mary's Hospital
A town crier confirmed the birth with a pronouncement on the steps of the hospital's Lindo Wing
It is not known how long Catherine, pictured here in December, will remain in hospital with her son
The Queen's senior page, Philip Rhodes (right), was given the document in the forecourt of the palace
Crowds outside the gates hoped to get a glimpse of the bulletin
Crowds outside the gates hoped to get a glimpse of the bulletin
The news sparked celebrations among royal fans waiting outside St Mary's Hospital
A town crier confirmed the birth with a pronouncement on the steps of the hospital's Lindo Wing
It is not known how long Catherine, pictured here in December, will remain in hospital with her son
Source: BBC news
