It's A Boy!

22nd July 2013

On Monday 22nd July, London woke to what was to be one of the hottest days of the year. It was revealed that Kate had been admitted to St Mary's Hospital in the early stages of labour. A royal convoy was spotted arriving at the hospital's rear entrance at around 5.30am . Soon the press area outside the hospital was filled with journalists and photographers ready to record an historic birth. 

Three weeks earlier, on 1st July the same media representatives from around the globe marked out their territory with step ladders and tape outside the Lindo Wing. As the days became weeks and a baby had not been born, it was dubbed "The Great Kate Wait". 

At 7.30am Kensington Palace confirmed the news that Britain and the world had been hoping for:

"Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge has been admitted this morning to St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London in the early stages of labour," the statement read. "The Duchess travelled by car from Kensington Palace to the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital with The Duke of Cambridge." 

 Finally, at 4.24pm on Monday 22nd July, baby Cambridge was safely delivered by the Queen's surgeon-gynaecologist Marcus Setchell, the royal family's gynaecologist Alan Farthing, obstetrician Guy Thorpe-Beeston and St Mary's neonatologist Dr Sunit Godambe. 

 However, Kensington Palace waited until 8.30pm to announce the news. It is believed that William and Catherine wanted some private family time with their newborn before announcing the birth. They ordered pizza and spent those precious few early hours with just themselves and the new baby Prince. They knew that their little bubble would soon burst and the world would clammer for news. The statement from Kensington Palace said: 

"Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 4.24pm.The baby weighs 8lb 6oz. 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"

 Despite, announcing the birth via Kensington Palace, the tradition of announcing a royal birth on an easel outside Buckingham Palace was adhered to. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's Press Secretary Ed Perkins left the Lindo Wing just after 8.30pm holding a red leather folder containing the official document. Written on Buckingham Palace-headed notepaper, the historic document had been signed by Catherine's doctors Marcus Setchell and Alan Farthing.Mr Perkins was then driven to Buckingham Palace, arriving through the main gates with a police escort. 

 William issued a statement saying "We could not be happier." The proud dad then stayed overnight at the hospital with his wife and newborn son.