The baby was born at 4.24 p.m. and weight 8 lbs 6 oz
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expected to leave hospital later, giving the world the first glimpse of their newborn prince.
The Royal baby boy, whose name has not yet been revealed, was born at 4.24pm on Monday, weighing 8lb 6oz (3.798kg).
Prince William was at his wife’s bedside at the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in London during the birth.
The Duchess spent the night in hospital, as did her husband. It is widely expected that she and William will leave the hospital with the future king in their arms at some point today.
Crowds are gathered outside the hospital in anticipation. The world’s media are also waiting with cameras at the ready to snap the first pictures of the Royal heir.
Crowds are waiting outside the hospital hoping to see the new baby
It is understood the new family will go back to Kensington Palace.
But it is not yet known how the Royals will negotiate putting their newborn into a car seat, as required by law.
No such legislation existed when Prince Charles and Princess Diana left the hospital in 1982 after the birth of Prince William.
News of the birth was issued in a statement by Kensington Palace at 8.30pm on Monday.
A very brief statement from the Duke, speaking on behalf of himself and the Duchess, added: “We could not be happier.”
William telephoned his family to tell them the good news, speaking personally to the Queen, his father Prince Charles and younger brother Prince Harry.
Various celebrations will be held later to mark the special occasion, including gun salutes across London.
At 11am a changing of the guard will take place outside Buckingham Palace, playing ‘Congratulations’.
And at 2pm the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Honourable Artillery Company will both carry out the ceremonial salutes in honour of the new addition to the Royal Family. There will be a 41 gun salute at Green Park and 62 gun salute at the Tower of London.
Gun salutes are fired for the birth of every prince or princess, no matter where their place is within the line of succession, the Ministry of Defence said.
The birth was announced on an easel in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace
Meanwhile, a huge queue of people eager to get a photo of the easel displaying the official Royal birth announcement has formed outside Buckingham Palace.
Officials said it will be on show on the forecourt for about 24 hours after confirmation of the birth, meaning is is likely to be removed soon after 8pm tonight.
Many people told Sky News they had come before work as they expect larger crowds later.
Kashmira, 31 and from Hertfordshire, told Sky News: “I didn’t really want to come last night when it was so hot but it’s such a historical event I couldn’t not come.”
Lauren, 27, from Surrey, said she popped by on her way to the office, adding: “It’s a pretty prestigious event so I dashed here before work. It’s so exciting.”
Queues forming outside Buckingham Palace to see the official announcement
Police and security have been putting up barriers to keep the queue orderly.The jubilation of last night has died down but hundreds of people, from all over the world, still want their slice of the Royal baby excitement.
The Weiner family from Los Angeles, US, told Sky News that they were glad their holiday to the UK coincided with the baby news. They said came to the Palace to take a photo of the announcement because “it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity”.
There is also great anticipation surrounding the name of the new third in line to the throne, who will be known as the Prince of Cambridge.
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.
London eye lit up the London skyline to celebrate the Royal baby
Celebrations are taking place across the world in major cities while we wait for the announcement of the baby’s name 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 Prince of Wales, who has become a grandfather for the first time, summed up the feelings of the Royal Family when he described the new arrival as an “incredibly special moment”.
In a statement he said: “Both my wife and I are 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.
“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.”
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.
“My father always told us how Diana was born on just such a blisteringly hot day, at Sandringham, in July 1961. It’s another very happy summer’s day, half a century on.”
David Cameron meanwhile declared the birth “an important moment in the life
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