This is a Live Blog following the delivery and birth of the first child of Prince William and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge. Check back on What Would Kate Do? for live updates as they come available. For Twitter updates, follow @WWKD_Official
24 JULY 19:34 BST
It has been officially announced that the royal baby’s name is:
His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge
George Alexander Louis
A beautiful name for a beautiful baby!
24 JULY 15:05 BST
Around noon, Her Majesty the Queen traveled to Kensington Palace to meet her new grandson. She stayed with him for about half an hour, enjoying the cuteness of her new great-grandson.
Shortly afterwards, William, Kate and the little prince traveled from Kensington Palace to Kate’s parent’s home in Bucklebury. This is the most private place for them, far from the public eye and peering press. They will enjoy some family time for the next few days, with the unfailing help of Grandma Carole.
For her journey from London to Bucklebury, Kate wore a beautiful floral dress by Seraphine, with her hair in a ponytail. Her dress was by Seraphine and is called the “Short Sleeve Knot Front Dress” in a beautiful lavender floral pattern. While it may be a maternity dress, the dress looks perfect for non-maternity girls. It is beautiful for summer days!
Last night, upon arrival at Kensington Palace, William, Kate and their son were greeted by Prince Harry, Pippa and James. The new aunt and uncles met with the little prince and they all enjoyed some private family time.
23 JULY 18:55 BST
William, Catherine and Baby Cambridge have arrived at Kensington Palace. They entered the palace through a discreet entrance. They will be spending some family time together, away from the eyes of the media.
23 JULY 18:25 BST
William and Catherine have appeared from the hospital with their new son. The couple looked absolutely and unbelievably happy. William and Kate wore coordinating outfits, with Kate in a blue Jenny Packham bespoke polka dot dress and her Imperia wedge and William in a blue button down.
The couple said a few words to the press. He joked that the baby has more hair than him, and admitted to changing the first nanny. The couple said they feel amazing and were in very high spirits. Kate admitted that her son’s arrival was “very emotional.” William said “he’s got a good pair of lungs on him! He’s a big boy and he’s quite heavy. We are still thinking of a name for him”
A few moments later, they returned to the hospital to get Baby Cambridge in his carseat. William then returned outside and strapped the baby in, rather quickly. Then, the new daddy drove his wife and new baby boy home to Kensington Palace.
23 JULY 17:30 BST
Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall have arrived to see Prince Charles’ first grandchild. Lindo Wing staff convened out front behind barricades to witness their arrival. They arrived by royal convoy and were greeted by Lindo Wing heads of staff.
Upon arrival, Prince Charles jokingly asked the press “Have you had a long wait?”
23 JULY 16:15 BST
The Middletons left St. Mary’s hospital after spending a little over an hour with their new baby grandson. They said a few words to the press, stating that new mum Kate is doing fabulously and everyone is really well. Her new grandson is “beautiful.” Both Michael and Carole were beaming, as new grandparents should! When asked to reveal the name, Carole jokingly said “Absolutely not!” letting us know that the baby has been named.
Carole was wearing an Orla Kiely Dancing Girls Tea dress (2012 collection, the dress is now sold out, but shorts in same fabric available here) and Russel and Bromley pumps.
23 JULY 15:15 BST
The Royal Hairdresser has been spotted arriving at the hospital along with a car seat and garment bag. Numerous Royal Reporters on scene confirm that if the Duke, Duchess and Prince of Cambridge are to leave the hospital, it will not be until after 6pm BST this evening. Stay tuned!
23 JULY 15:06 BST
Prince Cambridge’s first visitors have arrived! his Middleton grandparents, Carole and Michael, arrived at the Lindo Wing via taxi beaming with happiness and pride.
23 JULY 14:04 BST
London is sounding off in celebration! Two gun salutes began to celebrate the new baby prince! A 41 gun salute at Green Park and a 62 gun salute at Tower of London began at 2:00 PM London time.Gun salutes are traditional for new princes and princesses, the last one occurring for Princess Eugenie.
Simultaneously, Westminster Abbey began a three hour peal in honor of Baby Cambridge. The bells at Westminster Abbey will ring for three hours straight to celebrate the birth.
Reporters can heart the bells and gun salute all over London, signalling the arrival of a new royal baby.
23 JULY 11:58 BST
A press release from Kensington Palace has just been announced. Mother, father and baby are doing well. The Cambridges are not expected to leave St. Mary’s hospital until after 6PM, with speculation saying it may be tomorrow morning.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge issues 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.”
23 JULY 11:11 BST
The Queen’s gynecologist, Marcus Setchell, arrived at St. Mary’s through a side entrance. Speculation suggests that he may be at the hospital for a final check-up. We may see the new family shortly.
23 JULY 10:27 BST
Today, during the Changing of the Guards Ceremony at Buckingham Palace, the Band of Scots Guards will play “Congratulations” in honor of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their new son. Many similar celebrations will take place, including numerous gun salutes.
23 JULY 9:54 BST
After a quiet morning as a family, William and Kate are preparing to make their grand appearance. A few moments ago, Kate’s hairdresser arrived at the Lindo Wing. We are told that Kate and her son are receiving check-ups from their doctors and both are healthy and happy.
It is unlikely that the couple will have any visitors at the hospital today. If anyone, the Middletons may come by in the next few hours.
22 JULY 21:54 BST
Prince William has made a short statement, saying “We could not be happier.” He will be staying overnight at the hospital with his wife and son. The message came through a short press release.
22 JULY 20:58 BST
Prince Charles has been notified and has said:
“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.”
Before announcing to the public, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge called the Queen, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, and the Middletons. Everyone is said to be overjoyed at the announcement.
Here is a transcript of the Press Release given to the public:
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 4.24pm.
The baby weighs 8lbs 6oz.
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 are both doing well and will remain in hospital overnight.
Notes to editors
1. The medical staff present were Mr Marcus Setchell, Surgeon-Gynaecologist, Mr Guy Thorpe-Beeston, Obstetrician and Dr Sunit Godambe, Consultant Neonatologist at St. Mary’s Hospital.
2. The names of the baby will be announced in due course
3. The baby is 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.
4. A formal notice of the birth will be posted on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.
22 JULY 20:48 BST
The announcement of the birth of Baby Cambridge has arrived at Buckingham Palace and has been placed on the gilded easel, the same easel that was used for Prince William’s birth 31 years ago.
22 JULY 20:30 BST
The Duchess of Cambridge has been safely delivered of a son. Her son was born at 4:24 PM London time. The baby weight 8 pounds, 6 ounces. Catherine did not need a cesarean section and gave birth naturally with William by her side.
The Royal Couple decided to wait four hours to announce the birth in order to enjoy the time with their baby. Catherine was only in the hospital for about 5 hours, making for an easy delivery.
Shortly after the press release via e-mail, the birth notice left the Lindo Wing in a Jaguar headed to Buckingham Palace.
22 JULY 20:04 BST
The birth of Catherine and William’s child will be announced via press release, no matter the time. The notice will still be posted outside Buckingham Palace but this will happen after the formal press announcement.
22 JULY 16:30 BST
It has been learned that Kate and William arrived at the hospital in a convoy of 1 black Ford minivan and 1 navy blue Saab sedan
22 JULY 15:23 BST
Her Majesty The Queen has arrived at Buckingham Palace to await the news of Baby Cambridge’s arrival. The Royal Standard is flying outside the Palace.
Several reports indicate that Kate has had a number of personal items delivered to her and William, including a laptop and a good book!
22 JULY 14:08
It is believed that Catherine and William will not have any visitors before the birth of their child. If anyone did visit, Pippa and Carole are the closest in proximity, being in London and Berkshire respectively. Prince Harry is away on RAF duties and Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall are in Yorkshire. Her Majesty is in Windsor Castle, but it is unlikely she will visit the baby in the hospital at any point.
22 JULY 13:50 BST
Rebecca Deacon is with Kate and William at St. Mary’s Hospital. She may be the one to deliver the official announcement to Buckingham Palace. In addition to Ms. Deacon, one of Prince William’s PPOs was seen delivering a big bag of Marks and Spencer food!
22 JULY 8:33 BST
Prince William is by Catherine’s side at the hospital. There are even reports stating he drove her himself, accompanied by a royal convoy.
Hospital spokesman says “we are delighted that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have chosen to give birth here.”
Palace spokespeople waited until Catherine was settled into her room and seen by hospital staff before officially announcing her arrival, about an hour and a half after being admitted.
22 JULY 7:48 BST
Updates: Kate was admitted to the hospital at around 5:30 AM. She was spotted by journalists and photographers entering a back entrance of St. Mary’s hospital. She arrived from Kensington Palace in a convoy of Royal vehicles.
Two guards are permanently stationed outside The Lindo Wing
22 JULY 7:30 BST
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge has been admitted to St. Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London in the early stages of labour.
— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) July 22, 2013
The time has come! The palace has just announced that Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge has checked into St. Mary’s Hospital in Paddington where she will be prepped for the birth of her and Prince William’s first child. Catherine will be in the private Lindo Wing for the remainder the labor and birth. The Lindo Wing at St. Mary’s is the same hospital where Prince William and Prince Harry were born.
The media has been perched outside the hospital for quite some time.
Hadn’t anticipated it starting quite so early, but #RoyalBaby watch at the Lindo Wing has begun. #hoursoffun pic.twitter.com/L08pWFWXCa
— Mark Stewart (@RegalEyes) July 1, 2013
Parking was officially suspended on July 1st and barricades went up soon afterwards to ensure the utmost security for Their Royal Highnesses. Extra measures have been taken to protect the safety and privacy of the Cambridges. This is standard procedure for royal births. Many will remember the barricades and parking suspensions from Lady Louise, Princess Eugenie and even Prince William’s births.
WWKD will report on the Duchess and her child as the news comes available. Check back for updates and follow @WWKD_Official for up-to-the-minute information!
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