MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

On St George's Day, William and Kate show to the world their newborn son

The Duchess of Cambridge with her newborn son outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London. John Stillwell/PA Wire

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge showed their newborn son off to the world on the steps of the Lindo Wing. 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 on Monday. During his first photo call, 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 outside the hospital. Fashion commentators said that its colors reflected St George's flag, while others saw echoes of Princess Diana, who wore red and white when she left hospital with a newborn Prince Harry in 1984.

The baby could be seen moving his fingers as he was cradled by Kate.

Minutes after the brief photo-call, 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.

“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 favorite 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. He is an HRH and a Prince of Cambridge.

By welcoming a baby prince, William and Kate are following in the footsteps of the Queen and Philip.

Emulating the birth pattern of the Queen and the duke’s first three children, William and Kate have had a son, a daughter and now another son.

The Queen and Philip had Prince Charles, then Princess Anne, followed by, after a gap of 10 years, Prince Andrew, with Prince Edward born four years later.

Kensington Palace announced the baby’s arrival in a statement shortly after 1pm and said the Queen, the royals and Kate’s family were thrilled at the news.

“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,” the palace said.

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 of the Queen’s London home.

Prime Minister Theresa May led the messages of support for William and Kate, saying: “My warmest congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their baby boy. I wish them great happiness for the future.”

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn also sent his regards, tweeting: “Congratulations to Kate and William on the birth of their baby boy. I wish them all the very best.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury added: ”Congratulations to The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the safe delivery of their baby, a brother for Prince George and Princess Charlotte.”May God bless them and all of their children with love, happiness and health.”