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.
‘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.
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 (@KensingtonRoyal) April 23, 2018
‘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.’
The Prince of Wales has released a statement following the birth of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s third child.
HRH said: “We are both so pleased at the news. 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.” pic.twitter.com/fZmsd72yeX— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) April 24, 2018
‘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:
Princess Charlotte. 2 years old and a TOTAL PRO at the Royal Wave already. The turn back and wave to the cameras as they entered the Lindo Wing was EVERYTHING. #royalbaby pic.twitter.com/pinZthjRWD
— Lucy Horobin (@LucyHorobin) April 23, 2018
Shout out to Princess Charlotte, the first princess not to have her line to the throne usurped by a younger brother. Break that glass cielling gurrrrlllll #royalbaby pic.twitter.com/edbgc7p4Ev
— Chloe Roper (@ohcocohello) April 23, 2018
Princess Charlotte is warming my cold heart this morning. Her little wave…#royalbaby pic.twitter.com/hB2ilAHs3d
— Jessica Bradbury (@jesslyn8706) April 23, 2018
"Princess Charlotte" HERSTORY IN THE MAKING! #Diana
— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) April 23, 2018
Praise for Kate Middleton:
Kate Middleton’s day:
11am – Birth human
4pm – Blow dry and full make up
6pm – Present new heir to media looking red carpet readyMy day:
11am – Wake up, eat cheese
4pm – Put bra on
6pm – Take bra off, eat cheese#royalbaby— Ellie Taylor (@EllieJaneTaylor) April 23, 2018
In the time it took Kate Middleton to have a baby and leave the hospital, I changed out of my pjs, brushed my teeth and ate a Cliff bar
— Carly Ledbetter (@ledbettercarly) April 23, 2018
Pour one out for Kate Middleton having to pose in full makeup and heels hours after shooting a human baby out of her clacker.
— Michelle Law ? (@ms_michellelaw) April 24, 2018
It took me a bit longer than Kate Middleton but I too managed to look serene and glamorous after giving birth.
About 9 years longer.
— Amanda (@Pandamoanimum) April 23, 2018
Kate Middleton left the hospital the same day she gave birth and I'm considering staying home from work because I don't feel like walking to my car.
— Rodney Lacroix (@moooooog35) April 23, 2018
Kate Middleton hours after giving birth to her third child vs. me just trying to get through life. pic.twitter.com/6wT6X23f5V
— Francesca Litton (@CheckLit) April 24, 2018
Jokes about giving birth on St. George’s Day:
When your first son is called George but the second one is born on ST GEORGES DAY. #awks #whatonearthdowecallthisone #royalbaby #StGeorgesDay pic.twitter.com/lohaiCb8nk
— Lucy Horobin (@LucyHorobin) April 23, 2018
The Town Crier giving the performance of his life – and turning into a viral meme:
Friend "can you keep a secret?"
Me "of course, your secrets safe with me"
5 minutes later on group chat #royalbaby #towncrier pic.twitter.com/mjTMUTd55Z— ??chantelle?? (@chaneylawrence) April 24, 2018
Me finding a liquid liner that actually works on hooded eyes. #hearyehearye #towncrier pic.twitter.com/KiQ1ittwb0
— Frankie What Now? (@Magpie_Dreams) April 23, 2018
"Here ye! Here ye! Lady Jennifer will now enjoy a second cup of coffee even though she never has one at home!" #towncrier #royalbaby pic.twitter.com/cnMjHPJP3Q
— Jennifer O'Brien (@TheJenOBrien) April 23, 2018
Congratulations to the unsuspecting couples who left the Lindo Wing that same day:
Congratulations to all the proud parents who left the #LindoWing yesterday. There was more than just a Prince born there on 23 April #royalbaby pic.twitter.com/L8BWLUxRFc
— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) April 24, 2018
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.