The couple's Kensington Palace office announced news of the birth about five hours after the 36-year-old duchess and her husband traveled by car from their Kensington Palace home to the private Lindo Wing of St. Mary's Hospital in central London.
Kate, Duchess of Cambridge with their newborn baby son as they leave the Lindo wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London London, Monday, April 23, 2018. The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth Monday to a healthy baby boy — a third child for Kate and Prince William and fifth in line to the British throne.
(John Stillwell/Pool photo via AP)
John Stillwell/Pool photo via AP
Britain’s Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge with their newborn baby son as they leave the Lindo wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London London, Monday, April 23, 2018. The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth Monday to a healthy baby boy — a third child for Kate and Prince William and fifth in line to the British throne.
(John Stillwell/Pool photo via AP)
John Stillwell/Pool photo via AP
Britain’s Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge with their newborn baby son as they leave the Lindo wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London London, Monday, April 23, 2018. The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth Monday to a healthy baby boy — a third child for Kate and Prince William and fifth in line to the British throne.
(John Stillwell/Pool photo via AP)
John Stillwell/Pool photo via AP
Just hours after giving birth, the Duchess of Cambridge joined her husband, Prince William the Duke of Cambridge, outside a London hospital to present their newborn son.
(John Stillwell/Pool photo via AP)
Britain’s Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge wave as they hold their newborn baby son as they leave the Lindo wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London London, Monday, April 23, 2018. The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth Monday to a healthy baby boy — a third child for Kate and Prince William and fifth in line to the British throne.
(AP Photo/Tim Ireland)
AP Photo/Tim Ireland
Britain’s Prince William arrives with Prince George and Princess Charlotte back to the Lindo wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London London, Monday, April 23, 2018. The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth Monday to a healthy baby boy — a third child for Kate and Prince William and fifth in line to the British throne.
(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth
Britain’s Prince William waves as he leaves the Lindo wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London London, Monday, April 23, 2018. The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth Monday to a healthy baby boy — a third child for Kate and Prince William and fifth in line to the British throne.
(AP Photo/Tim Ireland)
AP Photo/Tim Ireland
Britain’s Prince William arrives with Princess Charlotte back to the Lindo wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London London, Monday, April 23, 2018. The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth Monday to a healthy baby boy — a third child for Kate and Prince William and fifth in line to the British throne.
(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth
Britain’s Prince William waves as he leaves the Lindo wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London London, Monday, April 23, 2018. The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth Monday to a healthy baby boy — a third child for Kate and Prince William and fifth in line to the British throne.
(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth
Britain’s Prince William arrives with Prince George and Princess Charlotte back to the Lindo wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London London, Monday, April 23, 2018. The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth Monday to a healthy baby boy — a third child for Kate and Prince William and fifth in line to the British throne.
(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth
Britain’s Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge wave with their newborn baby son as they leave the Lindo wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London London, Monday, April 23, 2018. The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth Monday to a healthy baby boy — a third child for Kate and Prince William and fifth in line to the British throne.
(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth
Royal fans John Loughrey, right, and Terry Hutt pose for a photo opposite the Lindo wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London London, Monday, April 23, 2018. Kensington Palace says Prince William’s wife, the Duchess of Cambridge has entered a London hospital to give birth to the couple’s third child.
(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth
Britain’s Prince William arrives with Prince George and Princess Charlotte back to the Lindo wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London London, Monday, April 23, 2018. The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth Monday to a healthy baby boy — a third child for Kate and Prince William and fifth in line to the British throne.
(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
AP Photo/Frank Augstein
FILE – In this Friday, July 21, 2017 file photo Britain’s Prince William, second left, and his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, second right, and their children, Prince George, left, and Princess Charlotte, right are on their way to board a plane in Hamburg, Germany. Kensington Palace says Prince William and his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, are expecting their third child. The announcement released in a statement Monday Sept. 4, 2017 says the queen is delighted by the news.
( Christian Charisius/Pool Photo via AP, File)
Christian Charisius/Pool Photo via AP, File
Britain’s Prince William waves as he leaves the Lindo wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London London, Monday, April 23, 2018. The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth Monday to a healthy baby boy — a third child for Kate and Prince William and fifth in line to the British throne.
(AP Photo/Tim Ireland)
AP Photo/Tim Ireland
Britain’s Prince William waves as he leaves the Lindo wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London London, Monday, April 23, 2018. The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth Monday to a healthy baby boy — a third child for Kate and Prince William and fifth in line to the British throne.
(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth
A notice is placed on an easel announcing the birth of the new Royal baby, in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace, in London, Monday, April 23, 2018. Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge gave birth Monday to a healthy baby boy — a third child for Kate and Prince William and fifth in line to the British throne. The palace said the baby prince was born at 11:01 a.m. (1001 GMT; 6:01 a.m. EDT) and weighed in at eight pounds, seven ounces (3.8 kilograms).
(Pool Photo via AP)
Pool Photo via AP
A notice is placed on an easel announcing the birth of the new Royal baby, in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace, in London, Monday, April 23, 2018. Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge gave birth Monday to a healthy baby boy — a third child for Kate and Prince William and fifth in line to the British throne. The palace said the baby prince was born at 11:01 a.m. (1001 GMT; 6:01 a.m. EDT) and weighed in at eight pounds, seven ounces (3.8 kilograms).
(Pool Photo via AP)
Pool Photo via AP
Town Crier Tony Appleton announces that the Duchess of Cambridge has given birth to a baby boy outside the Lindo wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London London, Monday, April 23, 2018. Kensington Palace says the Duchess of Cambridge has given birth to her third child, a boy weighing 8 pounds, 7 ounces (3.8 kilograms).
(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth
The media gathers opposite the Lindo wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London London, Monday, April 23, 2018. Kensington Palace says Prince William’s wife, the Duchess of Cambridge has entered a London hospital to give birth to the couple’s third child.
(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth
Royal fan Terry Hutt holds a toy baby outside the Lindo wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London London, Monday, April 23, 2018. Kensington Palace says Prince William’s wife, the Duchess of Cambridge has entered a London hospital to give birth to the couple’s third child.
(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
AP Photo/Frank Augstein
Royal fans John Loughrey, right, and Terry Hutt pose for a photo opposite the Lindo wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London London, Monday, April 23, 2018. Kensington Palace says Prince William’s wife, the Duchess of Cambridge has entered a London hospital to give birth to the couple’s third child.
(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth
Police officers stand outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, Monday April 23, 2018. Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge entered a London hospital Monday in labor with a baby who will be a third child for her and husband Prince William and fifth in line to the throne, Britain’s royal palace said.
(Kirsty O’Connor/PA via AP)
Kirsty O’Connor/PA via AP
FILE – In this Friday, April 24, 2015 file photo, Terry Hutt poses for the media with a sign that reads ‘Not Long to Go’ as he waits with other royal fans, outside the Lindo wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London. Kensington Palace says Prince William’s wife, the Duchess of Cambridge has entered a London hospital to give birth to the couple’s third child. The former Kate Middleton traveled by car on Monday, April 23, 2018 to the private Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Hospital in central London. The palace says she was in “the early stages of labor.”
(AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)
AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File
FILE – In this Saturday, June 17, 2017 file photo Britain’s Kate, The Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and their children Princess Charlotte and Prince George appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, after attending the annual Trooping the Colour Ceremony in London. Kensington Palace says Prince William and his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, are expecting their third child. The announcement released in a statement Monday Sept. 4, 2017 says the queen is delighted by the news.
(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)
AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File
Britain’s Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge arrive for the BAFTA 2018 Awards in London, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018.
(Chris Jackson/Pool via AP)
Chris Jackson/Pool via AP
In this undated photo provided by Kensington Palace on Monday, Dec. 18, 2017, Britain’s Prince William, background left and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge pose with their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte, at Kensington Palace. The photo has been used on the Cambridges’ Christmas card.
(Chris Jackson/Kensington Palace via AP)
Chris Jackson/Kensington Palace via AP
From left, Meghan Markle, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge and Britain’s Prince William during the first annual Royal Foundation Forum in London, Wednesday Feb. 28, 2018. Under the theme ‘Making a Difference Together’, the event will showcase the programmes run or initiated by The Royal Foundation.
(Chris Jackson/Pool via AP)
Chris Jackson/Pool via AP
File – In this Thursday, March 22, 2018 file photo, Britain’s Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge meet wheelchair basketball players, some of whom hope to compete in the 2022 Commonwealth Games, during their visit to the Copperbox Arena, London. Kensington Palace says Prince William’s wife, the Duchess of Cambridge has entered a London hospital to give birth to the couple’s third child. The former Kate Middleton traveled by car on Monday morning, April 23, 2018 to the private Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Hospital in central London. The palace says she was in “the early stages of labor.”
(Chris Jackson/Pool via AP, File)
Chris Jackson/Pool via AP, File
FILE – In this Friday, April 24, 2015 file photo, Terry Hutt poses for the media with a sign that reads ‘Not Long to Go’ as he waits with other royal fans, outside the Lindo wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London. Kensington Palace says Prince William’s wife, the Duchess of Cambridge has entered a London hospital to give birth to the couple’s third child. The former Kate Middleton traveled by car on Monday, April 23, 2018 to the private Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Hospital in central London. The palace says she was in “the early stages of labor.”
(AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)
AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File
FILE – In this Thursday, March 22, 2018 file photo, Britain’s Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge visit Sports Aid at the Copperbox Arena in London. Kensington Palace says Prince William’s wife, the Duchess of Cambridge has entered a London hospital to give birth to the couple’s third child. The former Kate Middleton traveled by car on Monday morning, April 23, 2018 to the private Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Hospital in central London. The palace says she was in “the early stages of labor.”
(Chris Jackson/Pool via AP, File)
LONDON (AP) — Third time’s a charm. The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth Monday morning to a new prince who is fifth in line to the British throne — and she was home by suppertime.
The duchess and husband Prince William drove to St. Mary’s Hospital in London early in the morning, and Kate’s 8 pound, 7 ounce (3.8 kilogram) boy was born at 11:01 a.m., with royal officials announcing the birth about two hours later.
There followed a smoothly choreographed operation perfected after the births of the couple’s two other children. In late afternoon, elder siblings Prince George and Princess Charlotte were brought to meet their baby brother. Around 6 p.m., Kate emerged alongside her husband, wearing a vibrant red dress and holding the tiny royal highness wrapped in a white lace shawl.
After posing for dozens of photographers and camera crews outside the hospital’s private Lindo Wing, the trio headed home, with the baby nestled securely in a car seat. Television news helicopters followed the royal Range Rover as it made the mile-long (1.6 kilometer) journey to the family’s Kensington Palace residence.
William declared the couple “very delighted” with the new addition to the family.
The royal palace 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.” Prime Minister Theresa May offered “warmest congratulations.”
News of the royal birth came with a mix of tradition and modernity typical of Britain’s media-savvy royal family. It was announced on Twitter and also proclaimed in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace with a framed notice perched on a golden easel.
Tony Appleton, a town crier from southeast England, showed up in full regalia to declare the newborn prince’s birth outside the hospital. The words “It’s a boy” flashed in lights around the top of London’s BT Tower, which can be seen for miles around.
More ceremonial celebration will come Tuesday, including the pealing of bells at Westminster Abbey and a gun salute in London’s Hyde Park.
The baby is a younger brother to 4-year-old Prince George and Princess Charlotte, who turns 3 next week. Both were born at the same hospital, as were William and his younger brother, Prince Harry.
The infant’s name, which has been subject to a flurry of bets, is likely to be announced in the next few days. Arthur and James are among bookmakers’ favorites for the new prince, whose full title will be His Royal Highness, Prince (Name) of Cambridge.
“You’ll find out soon enough,” William said when asked about the baby’s name.
Monday is St. George’s Day, England’s national day, but the baby is unlikely to be given the name since his older brother already has it.
The new arrival is Queen Elizabeth II’s sixth great-grandchild and bumps Prince Harry to sixth place in the line of succession. The baby is fifth in line, after grandfather Prince Charles, father Prince William and his two siblings.
Charlotte is the first royal daughter to stay ahead of a younger brother in the line of succession. Before the rules were changed in 2012, male heirs took precedence.
Kensington Palace announced in September that Kate was pregnant with her third child. As in her previous pregnancies, the duchess suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness.
Officials announced her previous pregnancies before the traditional 12-week mark because she was too unwell to attend public engagements. This time around, it kept her from taking George to his first day of school.
The 36-year-old duchess, formerly Kate Middleton, nevertheless kept up a busy schedule of royal duties during her pregnancy, including a visit with William to Scandinavia. She carried out her last official engagement on March 22 before going on maternity leave.
The birth was overseen by a team of doctors including consultant obstetrician Guy Thorpe-Beeston and consultant gynecologist Alan Farthing — who were also called in for the births of George and Charlotte — as well as the hospital’s midwives.
Television crews, journalists and royal fans had set up camp outside the hospital for the “royal baby watch” since early April in anticipation of the arrival.
The top White House spokeswoman offered personal encouragement to William and Kate on becoming the parents of three children.
“From one mother to another, I know the reality of being outnumbered can be very scary, but I know she and Prince William will continue to be amazing parents,” Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, herself a mother of three, said during a White House briefing.
John Loughrey, a veteran royal-watcher who camped outside the hospital for two weeks, said the baby would be “very good for our country and of course, Her Majesty the queen.”
“I’m so pleased it’s St. George’s Day,” he said before the birth was announced. “St. George himself would be very pleased if the baby’s born today.”
