The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Three cheers for royal baby boy
William and Kate show off bundle of joy
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge showed their newborn son off to the world on the steps of the Lindo Wing yesterday.
Proud parents 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 patriotic St George’s Day after being admitted before 6am yesterday.
During his first photocall,
“I have thrice the worry now... we didn’t keep you waiting too long”
the baby, a younger brother to Prince George and Princess Charlotte, was wrapped in a white lace shawl with a matching hat.
Only just under seven hours old, he was carried in his mother’s arms.
Smiling broadly, Kate, who was dressed in a vibrant red Jenny Packham dress with a white lace collar, adjusted the baby’s shawl amid windy conditions.
The baby could be seen moving his fingers as he was cradled by Kate.
After the brief photocall, the couple headed home to 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 a name, the duke added: “You’ll find out soon enough.”
George and Charlotte met the baby earlier when they were brought to St Mary’s Hospital by William.
Charlotte, who turns three on May 2, waved 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.
Kensington Palace said: “Their Royal Highnesses would like to thank all staff at the hospital for the care and treatment they have received. They would also like to thank everyone for their warm wishes.”
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 greatgrandchild. He is an HRH and a Prince of Cambridge.
Kensington Palace, announcing the baby’s arrival shortly after 1pm, 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.”
A formal notice of the birth was placed in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace on an ornate golden stand and a celebratory over-sized Union Flag was raised from the roof.