Britain’s Duke and Duchess of Cambridge proudly showed the world their baby son, a future king, before taking him home tonight.
William and Kate began their new lives as parents, cradling their baby prince and posing for pictures on the steps of the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in London.
The Duchess held her son first and the couple looked relaxed and smiled broadly as the world’s media captured the moment.
William later held his son and walked forward with his wife to answer a few questions.
“He’s got a good pair of lungs on him, that’s for sure. He’s a big boy, he’s quite heavy. We are still working on a name so we will have that as soon as we can,” he said.
He added: “It’s the first time we have seen him really so we are having a proper chance to catch up.”
The Duchess said she was very emotional.
“It’s very emotional, it’s such a special time. I think any parent will know what this feeling feels like.”
William said he would remind his son of his tardiness when he was older.
“I know how long you’ve all been standing here so hopefully the hospital and you guys can all go back to normal now and we can go and look after him.”
He added that his son “has got her looks, thankfully,” while Kate replied: “No, no, I’m not sure about that.”
Joking about his apparent lack of hair the Duke said about his son: “He’s got way more than me, thank God”.
Asked about changing nappies William said: “We’ve done that already,” and Kate said “he’s done his first nappy already”.
A crowd of well-wishers who were gathered at the entrance to Kensington Palace cheered as the Duke and Duchess arrived home with their baby.
William smiled from behind the wheel and Kate, who was sitting on the back seat, waved with her son next to her in a baby seat.
Earlier, Prince Charles described his new grandson as “marvellous”. The proud grandfather and his wife the Duchess of Cornwall travelled from East Yorkshire, where they had carried out a string of engagements, to see the new baby.
Charles and Camilla spent almost 30 minutes with the Cambridges and the baby prince in the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in London. As the heir to the throne left the building, he was asked how his first grandchild was and replied: “Marvellous, thank you very much, absolutely wonderful — you wait and see, you’ll see in a minute.”
The other set of grandparents, Michael and Carole Middleton, also visited the baby today.
It was the first visit the royal couple and their son have received since the newborn was delivered yesterday at 4.24pm, weighing 8lb 6oz.
The Middletons arrived in a black cab and were greeted on the steps of the Lindo Wing by its lead clinician Jonathan Ramsay, before they walked up to the doorway.
After the visit, Mrs Middleton said the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s baby was “absolutely beautiful”, adding: “They’re both doing really well, we’re so thrilled.”
The Duke and Duchess earlier thanked the hospital staff who delivered their baby, describing the care they and their son received as “tremendous”.
The royal couple said in a statement: “We would like to thank the staff at the Lindo Wing and the whole hospital for the tremendous care the three of us have received.
“We know it has been a very busy period for the hospital and we would like to thank everyone — staff, patients and visitors — for their understanding during this time.”
William and Kate have yet to announce the name of their son and it could be several days before the nation knows what the baby will be called.
PA