22 Jul 2013

Royal baby is born, Buckingham Palace confirms

The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to a baby boy at 16.25 BST on Monday. The news has been confirmed by Buckingham Palace.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge pictured in June 2013. (Getty)

Kensington Palace broke the news of the birth just after 20:30 BST on 22 July 2013. The news was confirmed by Buckingham Palace, shortly afterwards.

The baby weighs 8lbs 6oz and will remain in hospital with his mother overnight.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, was admitted to the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in London on 0600 BST 22 July with Prince William at her side.

Formal confirmation of the royal baby’s arrival was made in a signed bulletin which was taken from the hospital to Buckingham Palace and placed on an easel outside the palace.

The Duke of Cambridge issued a brief statement saying: “We could not be happier.”

The Prime Minister said the “whole country will celebrate” the birth of the royal baby as news of the child’s arrival spread across the globe.

It was an eventful pregnancy with the news first breaking before Christmas when Kate was taken to hospital suffering from acute morning sickness.

The child is third in line to the throne, after the Prince of Wales and Prince William.

Before the royal wedding in 2011, Kate revealed that she was hoping for children. “I hope we will be able to have a happy family ourselves,” she said.