‘I don’t know how I’ll keep up with them’, proud Prince of Wales jokes
Welcome messages flood in for Duke and Duchess’s new baby as the world waits to hear his name
LIKE any doting grandfather, the Prince of Wales could not have been happier at the safe arrival of his new baby grandson. Like any man nearing 70, the combined energy of three children under five gave him a little lighthearted pause for thought.
The delighted Prince yesterday welcomed the birth of his third grandchild, a second son for the Duke and Duchess
of Cambridge, saying it was a “great joy”.
Speaking for himself and the Duchess of Cornwall he said: “We are both so pleased at the news. It is a great joy to have another grandchild, the only trouble is I don’t know how I am going to keep up with them.”
The Prince of Wales is now a grandfather to Prince George, four, Princess Charlotte, who will turn three on May 2, and the asyet-unnamed baby boy.
The Duchess of Cornwall also has five grandchildren who are regular visitors to their home. The Prince’s words chimed per- fectly with those of his son the Duke, who had held up three fingers – one for each of his children – when departing from hospital and laughed that he had “thrice the worry now”. Yesterday, the Duke and Duchess were kept busy settling in to life as a family of five at Kensington Palace, Prince George and Princess Charlotte already having been introduced to their brother at St Mary’s Hospital. Pippa Matthews, the first visitor seen driving into the palace yesterday, spent several hours with her sister, the Duchess, and infant nephew before driving away. Carole and Michael Middleton, the Duchess’s parents, were unlikely to have been far away. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, too, could surely not have kept away from joining the first eager visitors, living just next door and both adoring children. The Prince once called George and Charlotte “the most amazing things ever”.
The Queen, who was in Windsor, is unlikely to meet her sixth great-grandchild imminently, with further duties at the castle today, while the Duke of Edinburgh is recuperating privately from a hip replacement operation. The baby’s name will be shared first with the Queen before being announced to the public, with family members remaining tight-lipped about the final decision.
The Countess of Wessex, who was conducting a string of engagements near Truro, Cornwall, said: “I’m thrilled for them all, it’s lovely – really good news.” Asked about the baby’s name, she added tactfully: “I don’t know, we’re all just going to have to wait and see.” Official celebrations were already under way, with the bells of Westminster Abbey ringing out from 1pm and gun salutes fired in London at 2pm.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery rode out from Wellington Barracks into Hyde Park for a 41-round salute, and the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC), the City of London’s Army Reserve regiment, fired a 62-round gun salute from the Tower of London.
Warm wishes were shared by political leaders, royal admirers and family friends. Former US first lady Michelle Obama, who famously met Prince George at Kensington Palace in his dressing gown during a presidential visit, said: “Barack and I are thrilled to congratulate the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their newest arrival! We hope to meet him soon for a kensington Palace pyjama party. I’ll wear my robe!”
Niagara Falls, in Canada, was turned blue in honour of the newborn Prince.
The baby joy extended not just to the Royal family and avid monarchists.
Tyler O’hare, a young Metropolitan Police constable who took centre stage as the “door officer” during the royal baby’s first public appearance outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s described the honour as “amazing” and “a highlight of my career”, on Twitter.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expected to share the name of their third baby – born at 11.01am on Monday, weighing 8lb 7oz – today, and are also likely to thank well-wishers.