Royal baby: Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcome their third child

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have welcomed their third child at St Mary’s Hospital in London, Kensington Palace has confirmed.

In a tweet which has already garnered over 6,875 likes and 13,000 retweets, it has been revealed that the royal couple have welcomed a son. The new addition to the royal family weighs in at 8lbs 7oz and was delivered at 11.01 am.

This morning it was announced by Kensington Palace that the 36-year-old had gone into the ‘early stages of labour‘ and that Prince William is by her side in the now-famous Lindo Wing.

The royal couple are already parents to four-year-old Prince George and two-year-old Princess Charlotte.

For her third child, the Duchess of Cambridge decided against a home birth and opted to welcome their new addition in the Lindo Wing.

Since the early hours of this morning, flag-bearing crowds and the media have patiently waited outside of the world’s most watched doors to celebrate the arrival of the nation’s new royal baby.

The A-list approved location is where the 36-year-old also gave birth to George on 22 July, 2013 and Charlotte on 2 May, 2015.

Throughout her pregnancies, the royal has followed in the footsteps of late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, who also welcomed brothers Prince William and Prince Harry in the same Paddington-based maternity wing.

Kensington Palace announced that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were expecting their third child via its official Twitter page on 4 September 2017. The royal family did not disclose details on the baby’s gender or due date, as with the couple’s previous children, which led to mass speculation.

It is believed that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge decided to keep the gender of their latest addition a surprise for the family (and nation).

Is the royal baby in line to the throne?

The new addition to the royal family is fifth in line to the throne courtesy of the Succession to the Crown Act 2013. After it was announced that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were set to welcome their first child, parliament introduced the revolutionary law to enable the couple’s child, if a girl, to become next in line regardless of gender.

This means that Princess Charlotte will be crowned over the new royal baby.

What is the third royal baby’s name?

Ever since it was announced that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were expecting their third child, speculation over the royal baby’s name has been rife.

Earlier this year, bookmakers Paddy Power suspended bets on the traditional moniker, Mary, due to an influx of predictions. Odds on the name were slashed from 12/12 to 3/1 and bets on the baby’s gender were also suspended.

But another traditional moniker is also in the running. Alice has long remained a clear frontrunner, as Alex Apati from Ladbrokes revealed: “Mary remains the 4/1 favourite as things stand, but it won’t be long before Alice takes over at the head of the market.”

The boy’s names currently reigning the stakes are Albert and Arthur. The names would prove fitting for a third child, as Prince George and Princess Charlotte both adopted monikers from members of the royal family. For example, George is Prince Charles’ middle name while Charlotte adopted Diana and Elizabeth from her late grandmother and the Queen.

It’s also interesting to note that Arthur is one of Prince Charles’ middle names making it a strong contender.

How many great-grandchildren does Queen Elizabeth II have?

Queen Elizabeth II has five great-grandchildren: Savannah Phillips, Isla Phillips, Mia Tindall, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s third child is the Queen’s sixth great-grandchild. But Her Majesty is preparing to welcome her seventh, as Zara and Mike Tindall are expecting their second child later this year.

Where will the royal baby be christened?

Prince George was christened by The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, on Wednesday, 23rd October 2013 at The Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace. While Princess Charlotte was also christened by Welby but at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham on Sunday, 5th July 2015.

In keeping with royal tradition, Prince George wore a hand-made replica of the Royal Christening Robe, made by Angela Kelly. Both siblings were christened at the Lily Font using water from the River Jordan.

Details of the third royal baby’s christening have yet to be announced but it is likely that the Archbishop of Canterbury will be given the honour.

Prince George’s birth

Prince George was born at 4.24pm on 22nd July 2013 at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London.

As he was the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s first child, he is third in line to the throne.

The royal couple left the Lindo Wing the following day and paused on the historical steps of the private maternity ward for a brief photo call.

On 24 July, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge announced that they would name their child George Alexander Louis. He is formally known as Prince George of Cambridge.

Princess Charlotte’s birth

Princess Charlotte was born at St Mary’s Hospital in London on 2 May, 2015. The Duchess of Cambridge was admitted to hospital at 6am and Prince William was present at his daughter’s birth. Princess Charlotte is fourth in line to the throne and is the Queen’s fifth great-grandchild.

The royal tot’s birth was a historical moment, as Princess Charlotte was the first child to take the title of princess in over 25 years. She is also the highest ranking female in line to the throne, as a girl has not been so high in the line of succession since Princess Anne was born 67 years ago.

News of the birth was announced to the public at 11.09am after both families were informed. The Duchess of Cambridge was reportedly one week overdue when she gave birth to Princess Charlotte.

The royal couple used the same medical team led by royal surgeon-gynaecologist, Guy Thorpe-Beeston, as they did for Prince George’s birth.

In a statement Kensington Palace announced: “Her royal highness the Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a daughter at 8.34am. The baby weighs 8lbs 3oz. The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth. 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. Her royal highness and her child are both doing well.”

On 4 May 2015, it was announced that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had named their newborn Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. She is formally known as Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge.

Who will the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge choose to be the new royal baby’s godparents?

The nation will not learn who the royal couple has chosen to be the godparents of their third child until the day of the Christening but speculation is already rife.

With Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal wedding set to take place on May 19, it’s important not to rule out the soon-to-be newlyweds. Set to take on the role as auntie and uncle, the couple may well be chosen as godparents (they will be neighbours after all).

Though royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams disagrees. In an interview with the Express, he speculated that it is ‘possible Beatrice or Eugenie might be a godparent to the new baby’.

Though he also added that ‘emphasis could be firmly be on their close friends’.

But there’s plenty of hope for all, as Prince George has a total of seven godparents while Princess Charlotte has five.

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