Bookies divided, but mythical king’s moniker tops list of contenders Little prince is poised to be a big name
ARTHUR remains the red-hot favourite for the new royal baby’s name, as hopes mount that parents Prince William and Catherine will reveal their choice as early as today.
As the UK celebrated the arrival of the new baby prince, London’s landmarks were lit in celebration, with the famous Tower Bridge and the Golden Jubilee Bridge turned blue.
When leaving hospital yesterday, Prince William held up three fingers he joked that he had “thrice the worry now” adding the couple were “very happy, delighted”. Prince George, 4, and Princess Charlotte, 2,visited their new baby brother about an hour before Catherine left the hospital. Dressed in a blue patterned dress, Charlotte stole the show waving at the crowd while George, wearing his signature shorts, shyly smiled. Congratulatory messages poured in from across the globe with everyone from British Prime Minister Theresa May to US talk show host Ellen DeGeneres sending their best wishes to William and Catherine, who delivered the cou- ple’s third child on Monday.
Catherine, 36, left the private Lindo Ward at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London at 6pm on Monday, just seven hours after giving birth. Wearing a red Jenny Packham dress, the Duchess channelled the outfit Princess Diana wore when she stood on the same steps in 1984 to introduce Prince Harry to the world.
Prince William and Catherine appeared relaxed as they showed off their sleeping son to the world’s media and hundreds of adoring fans.
Bookmakers in the UK were still taking bets last night on what the new baby’s name will be, with Arthur the favourite across all major agencies.
Albert, James, Philip, Thomas and Edward were also top picks with Catherine and William expected to chose a traditional name that has ties to the royal family.
Commentator Richard Fitzwilliams tipped Arthur as the top contender “because of the legendary mythical King Arthur who was linked to the round table”.
He said Albert could also be chosen as a tribute to both Queen Victoria’s husband and the Queen’s own father whose first name was Albert but went by George when he took the throne.