Prince Charles has said his grandson is “marvellous” as the newborn baby boy is about to leave hospital.
The Duke of Cornwall was accompanied by his wife Camilla at St Mary’s in London and as he departed, he was asked how the child was.
He replied: “Wait and see. You’ll see in a minut
The departure of Prince William, wife Kate and their son will be within half an hour, it has been confirmed.
Carole Middleton said the first-time parents were doing ‘fabulously
Sky News’ Royal Correspondent Paul Harrison said the family are currently preparing to leave hospital and are nearly ready.
William and Kate are expected to stand on the steps of the Lindo Wing with their child and answer some questions before they go back inside and place the baby in a car seat before departing the building.
Earlier, Prince Charles arrived at the Lindo Wing and before heading inside he joked to Sky News presenter Kay Burley, saying “Have you had a long wait?”
It was the same hospital where both Charles’ sons William and Harry were born.
Before Charles’ visit on Tuesday, Kate’s parents had also gone to see their grandson – the future king – and afterwards Carole Middleton told the world’s media he was “absolutely beautiful”.
She and husband Michael arrived by black cab and spent just over an hour with the new baby boy, their daughter Kate and son-in-law Prince William.
Mrs Middleton said both mother and baby were “doing really well” and she was “so thrilled”.
When asked how the first-time parents were doing, she answered “fabulously”.
And asked what the first cuddle with her grandson was like, Mrs Middleton, who had been ushered forward by her husband to speak to the press, said: “Amazing, it’s all coming back.”
A 41-gun salute in London’s Green Park
but she was not giving anything away about the baby’s name. She said “absolutely not” when one member of the media said if she could tell them anything about it.
Kate and her one-day-old son, whose name has not yet been revealed, are to leave hospital tonight.
The Duchess gave birth on Monday afternoon as the world waits for the first glimpse of the new Royal arrival.
Crowds are gathered outside the hospital in anticipation of the departure while TV crews and photographers from around the globe have their cameras at the ready to capture pictures of the third in line to the throne.
Prince William was at his wife’s bedside during her labour. The Duchess spent the night in hospital, as did her husband.
Signs the Royals could be leaving sometime later in the day came as Kate’s aide Alice Cook Tucker arrived at the hospital with an assistant carrying a baby car seat.
Meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge issued a statement thanking the hospital where their baby boy was born for the “tremendous care” they received.
The Royal couple said: “We would like to thank the staff at the Lindo Wing and the whole hospital for the tremendous care the three of us have received.
“We know it has been a very busy period for the hospital and we would like to thank everyone – staff, patients and visitors – for their understanding during this time.”
A Kensington Palace spokesman added: “Mother, son and father are all doing well this morning.”
The Royal baby boy, who will be known as the Prince of Cambridge, was born at 4.24pm on Monday, weighing 8lb 6oz (3.798kg).
A Royal Son special report, 7pm BST
The Prince of Wales said on Tuesday he was “thrilled and very excited” about the birth of his first grandchild.
He and the Duchess of Cornwall were met by cheering crowds of well-wishers on a visit to East Yorkshire.
Villager after villager offered Charles and Camilla their congratulations as the royal couple walked around the green in Bugthorpe, which was decked out with Union flags and bunting for the visit.
Many people asked whether the new baby had a name, but Charles gave little away.
Celebrations have taken place in London to honour the birth of the new Royal arrival.
Guardsmen marked the changing of the guard outside Buckingham Palace by playing ‘Congratulations’ and gun salutes sounded across the capital to mark the special occasion.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Honourable Artillery Company carried out the ceremonial royal salutes in honour of the new addition to the Royal Family.
This included a 41-gun salute at London’s Green Park and 62 rounds fired at the Tower of London.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge did not find out if their baby was going to be a boy or girl prior to the birth, meaning they are believed to have considered a stock of names for a future monarch of either sex.
George, James, Alexander, Louis and Henry are currently among the favourites at the bookmakers.
The Queen will be informed of the baby’s name before it is announced, which may even be weeks away.
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were said to be “delighted at the news”.
William’s uncle and brother of the late Princess Diana also described his joy at the new Royal baby. Earl Spencer said: “We’re all so pleased: it’s wonderful news.”
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