It's A Boy! Kate Middleton Gives Birth To Son
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The royal baby has been born.
And it's a boy!
Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, safely delivered a son at 4:24 p.m. on Monday, according to Kensington Palace. The town crier came out during the late afternoon to make the announcement, CBS 2's Andrea Grymes reported.
Photos: Scenes From Outside London Hospital
The baby weighs 8 pounds, 6 ounces.
The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth.
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.
Her Royal Highness and her child were both doing well and were to remain in the hospital overnight.
The royals broke from tradition in announcing the birth. They put out a news release first, before placing the official announcement on an easel outside Buckingham Palace.
They also tweeted out the news. Afterward, the official announcement arrived at Buckingham Palace by police escort from the hospital, and was placed on the easel for public viewing.
"A very exciting occasion," said British Prime Minister David Cameron, "and the whole country is excited with them."
Charles, the Prince of Wales, also issued the a statement Monday:
"Both my wife and I are overjoyed at the arrival of my first grandchild. It is an incredibly special moment for William and Catherine and we are so thrilled for them on the birth of their baby boy.
Grandparenthood is a unique moment in anyone's life, as countless kind people have told me in recent months, so I am enormously proud and happy to be a grandfather for the first time and we are eagerly looking forward to seeing the baby in the near future."
"The Queen and Prince Philip are delighted at the news of the birth of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's baby," @BritishMonarchy tweeted Monday.
Earlier in the day, as the world waited for royal arrival, Prince Charles arrived by steam train at the National Railway Museum in York for a two-day visit. A child in the crowd gave the new grandfather a gift for the baby.
The baby's name could be a mystery for some time: When William was born, a week passed before his name was announced. Queen Elizabeth didn't release Charles's name for a month.
Speculation on the baby's name in in full swing. As of Monday morning, betters appeared to be favoring the name George, which currently carries 6/1 odds on online betting site Paddy Power. There's also Alexander (18/1), James (11/1), Henry (20/1), Arthur and Albert (both 33/1).
Online betting site Ladbrokes also has George as its top boys' name, with 10/1 odds. Alexander is listed at 20/1, with Richard and Louis at 25/1 and Charles, Edward and David all at 33/1.
Prince William is expected to take two weeks paternity leave, then return to his military duties as a search and rescue helicopter pilot in Wales.
Within months, the new royal family is expected to move from the couple's small cottage off the coast of Wales to a four-story home at Kensington Palace, complete with a nursery and a private garden.
Excitement Erupts As Royal Baby Is Born-Sonia Rincon Reports
Upon the announcement of the royal birth, cheers erupted inside Tea and Sympathy, in the Little Britain section of the West Village. A blue "boy" sign immediately appeared on the window, and let those passing by in on the coveted information.
"We think it's phenomenal," said one patron at the tea shop. "The next king -- he's third in line."
Bets on a name were I effect.
"I said George -- who knows?" one patron said.
"Cole -- why not King Cole? I like it," another said.
"I hope they name him Phillip," a third said.
CBS 2 asked people before the baby arrived whether they expected a boy or a girl. While most said a girl, Vanessa O'Neill had a hunch.
"I was right I just felt boy in my heart of hearts, boy," she said.
Meanwhile in Brooklyn at Chip Shop, the owners offered free champagne to celebrate the royal baby boy/
"Now we are waiting for the royal family to show off their little prince," a patron said.
"Unlike here in the States, they are not celebrities who sell photos," another said. "The royal family belongs to the public, and the first photo will be very public."
Earlier at the West Village's British grocery Myers of Keswick on Hudson Street, the shopkeepers hosted a contest for their customers, who submitted guesses as to the gender, time and date of birth of the baby, 1010 WINS' Juliet Papa reported. They are planning to give gift certificates to whoever comes closest.
British Grocery Store Celebrates Royal Baby-Juliet Papa Reports
The baby was third in the line of Succession after His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge.
He is styled His Royal Highness Prince [name] of Cambridge.
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