Here's how the world (and the royal family) reacted to the arrival of the royal baby

And who stole the show...ahem Princess Charlotte

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And who stole the show...ahem Princess Charlotte

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcomed their third child yesterday, a baby boy - now fifth in line to the throne.

After being admitted to The Lindo Wing of St. Mary's Hospital at 6am in the 'early stages of labour', it was announced that Kate gave birth at 11am, accompanied by her husband, Prince William, and tended to by a royal team of 23.

‘Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 1101hrs,' read a statement from Kensington Palace. 'The baby weighs 8lbs 7oz. The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth. Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well.’

Being the millennial royals that they are, Prince William and Kate Middleton broke the news to their official social media account, before stepping out onto the steps of the Lindo Wing to introduce their newborn son to the world.

A photo posted by on

'Welcome to the family', the royal couple posted to their official Twitter account, alongside a snap of the Duke and Duchess and the royal baby, with the royal family in response raising a large Union flag over Buckingham Palace and a State standard over Windsor Castle, marking the prince's arrival.

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'We are both so pleased at the news,' the Prince of Wales announced in a statement following the birth via his Clarence House Twitter account. '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.'

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'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,' Kensington Palace released on its social media accounts, re-tweeted by both the official Royal Family and Clarence House Twitter accounts.

Unsurprisingly Twitter blew up, with users posting their congratulations and turning the day's scene stealers into memes - shout out to Princess Charlotte showing off her best royal wave and the town crier giving the performance of his life.

Best Twitter reactions to the royal baby's arrival...

From praising the Duchess of Cambridge for wearing heels and a smile seven hours after giving birth, to memes of Princess Charlotte stealing the show with her royal wave, here are the best reactions to the royal baby's arrival.

Love for Princess Charlotte:

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Praise for Kate Middleton: 

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Jokes about giving birth on St. George's Day:

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The Town Crier giving the performance of his life - and turning into a viral meme:

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Congratulations to the unsuspecting couples who left the Lindo Wing that same day:

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As for the name of the royal baby, there's still no news as of yet but some of the public are hoping for a Prince Frederick, making Kate and Wills the most millennial royals ever, with a potential nod to Harry Potter's twins, Fred and George.

We'll have to wait and see.

Jenny Proudfoot
Features Editor

Jenny Proudfoot is an award-winning journalist, specialising in lifestyle, culture, entertainment, international development and politics. She has worked at Marie Claire UK for seven years, rising from intern to Features Editor and is now the most published Marie Claire writer of all time. She was made a 30 under 30 award-winner last year and named a rising star in journalism by the Professional Publishers Association.