THEY’RE NOW A FAMILY OF FIVE
Third time’s a charm. The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth Monday morning to a new prince who is fifth in line to the British throne —and she was home by suppertime.
The duchess and husband Prince William drove to St. Mary’s Hospital in London early in the morning, and Kate’s eight pound, seven ounce (3.8 kilogram) boy was born at 11:01 a.m., with royal officials announcing the birth about two hours later.
There followed a smoothly choreographed operation perfected after the births of the couple’s two other children. In late afternoon, elder siblings Prince George and Princess Charlotte were brought to meet their baby brother. Around 6 p.m., Kate emerged alongside her husband, wearing a vibrant red dress and holding the tiny royal highness wrapped in a white lace shawl.
After posing for dozens of photographers and camera crews outside the hospital’s private Lindo Wing, the trio headed home, with the baby nestled securely in a car seat. Television news helicopters followed the royal Range Rover as it made the mile-long (1.6 kilometer) journey to the family’s Kensington Palace residence.
William declared the couple “very delighted” with the new addition to the family.
The royal palace said “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.”
Prime Minister Theresa May offered “warmest congratulations.”
News of the royal birth came with a mix of tradition and modernity typical of Britain’s media-savvy royal family. It was announced on Twitter and also proclaimed in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace with a framed notice perched on a golden easel.
Tony Appleton, a town crier from southeast England, showed up in full regalia to declare the newborn prince’s birth outside the hospital. The words “It’s a boy” flashed in lights around the top of London’s BT Tower, which can be seen for miles around.
More ceremonial celebration will come, including the pealing of bells at Westminster Abbey and a gun salute in London’s Hyde Park.
The baby is a younger brother to four-year-old Prince George and Princess Charlotte, who turns three next week. Both were born at the same hospital, as were William and his younger brother, Prince Harry.
The infant’s name, which has been subject to a flurry of bets, is likely to be announced in the next few days. Arthur and James are among bookmakers’ favorites for the new prince, whose full title will be His Royal Highness, Prince (Name) of Cambridge.
“You’ll find out soon enough,” William said when asked about the baby’s name.
Monday is St. George’s Day, England’s national day, but the baby is unlikely to be given the name since his older brother already has it.
The new arrival is Queen Elizabeth II’s sixth great-grandchild and bumps Prince Harry to sixth place in the line of succession. The baby is fifth in line, after grandfather Prince Charles, father Prince William and his two siblings.
Charlotte is the first royal daughter to stay ahead of a younger brother in the line of succession. Before the rules were changed in 2012, male heirs took precedence.
Television crews, journalists and royal fans had set up camp outside the hospital for the “royal baby watch” since early April.
The top White House spokeswoman offered personal encouragement to William and Kate on becoming the parents of three children.