The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge pose with their new baby son, who was born yesterday.

William and Kate all smiles as they give world first glimpse of fifth in line to throne

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge showed their newborn son off to the world on the steps of the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital yesterday.

William and Kate introduced the baby prince of Cambridge – their third child – to the hundreds of cameras gathered in front of the private maternity unit in Paddington, London.

The duchess gave birth to the 8lb 7oz baby boy at 11.01am on St George’s Day after being admitted before 6am yesterday.

During his first photocall, the baby, a younger brother to Prince George and Princess Charlotte, was wrapped in a white lace shawl with a matching hat.

Minutes after the brief photocall, the couple headed home to the sanctuary of Kensington Palace, with William emerging from the hospital carrying his son in a car seat, and holding Kate’s hand.

The duke said they were “very happy” and “very delighted” and joked, holding up three fingers, that he now had “thrice the worry now”.

He added: “We didn’t keep you waiting too long this time.”

Quizzed on whether they had decided on a name, the duke added: “You’ll find out soon enough.”

George and Charlotte earlier met the newest addition to the Cambridge family after being brought to St Mary’s Hospital by William.

A confident Charlotte, who turns three on May 2, turned to wave at the photographers as she led the way up the steps holding the duke’s hand, while four-year-old George appeared more wary of the huge crowds of media.

William and Kate thanked the hospital for their care and the public for their warm wishes.

Kensington Palace said: “Their Royal Highnesses would like to thank all staff at the hospital for the care and treatment they have received.”

The palace said the baby’s name would be “announced in due course”, but Arthur is already the favourite with punters, according to the bookies.

Other predictions include Philip, after the Duke of Edinburgh, as well as James, Frederick and Albert.

The new prince is fifth in line to the throne, and the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh’s sixth great-grandchild.

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After a relatively short labour, the Duchess of Cambridge celebrated the birth of her third child yesterday morning. Within minutes hundreds of well-wishers had gathered outside the hospital, determined to catch a glimpse. It is an early sign of the intense scrutiny the young royal will be under for the rest of his days.

It is to be hoped the child is allowed to live as normal a life as possible, despite apparently insatiable public interest.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge pose with their son whose name has yet to be revealed.