Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has given birth to a baby boy, it has been announced.
Prince Harry and Meghan are said to be thrilled at the arrival of the new Royal baby, who weighed 7lbs 3oz and was born at 5.26am.
The new arrival was announced on Instagram this afternoon, with Harry making a short public statement after.
He said: ‘We have a very healthy boy. Mother and baby are doing incredibly well. It has been the most amazing experience I could have ever possibly imagined.
‘How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension. I’m absolutely thrilled and so grateful for all the love and support out there. It has been amazing.’
He added: ‘We’re still thinking about the names, the baby is overdue so we’ve had time to think about it.
‘That’s the next bit, but for us we’ll see you in two days so everyone can see the baby.’
Meghan’s mum, Doria Ragland, is currently with the couple at Frogmore Cottage and is said to be ‘overjoyed’ by the arrival of her first grandchild.
Her Royal Highness and the baby are both doing well.
The announcement on Instagram said: ‘We are pleased to announce that Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their firstborn child in the early morning on May 6th, 2019.
‘Their Royal Highnesses’ son weighs 7lbs. 3oz.
‘The Duchess and baby are both healthy and well, and the couple thank members of the public for their shared excitement and support during this very special time in their lives.
‘More details will be shared in the forthcoming days.’
The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Earl Spencer have been informed and are ‘delighted’ with the news.
Meghan’s last official function was on Commonwealth Day on March 18 and she has only been spotted a couple of times since, but has been working ‘behind the scenes’ and keeping private appointments.
The exact due date was not made public, but it had been expected that she would give birth in late April or early May – the latest clue being that Prince Charles, the royal baby’s granddad, scheduled a foreign visit on May 7.
The baby is seventh in line to the throne and is the Queen’s eighth great-grandchild.
Prince Harry is expected to take the two weeks of paternity leave he is entitled to ‘because it is a modern dad thing’.
Kensington Palace had confirmed that Meghan and Harry would keep the arrival of their baby private, confirming there would be no pictures at the front of the Lindo Wing, similar to those we saw of Kate and William when their children were born.
They said that they wanted to celebrate the arrival of their baby ‘privately as a new family’ before announcing it to the world.
Plans released last month suggested that following the private celebrations there would be a photocall a few days later.
Speculation had been rife over the last few days over when she gave birth.
Some saw a visit by the Queen to Frogmore Cottage as a sign that she had given birth, while another clue was that Prince Harry’s planned trip to Amsterdam was also a sign.
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