Royal Baby Announcement: In Pictures

Watch as the birth of Kate Middleton and Prince William's baby Prince of Cambridge unfolds in London

royal baby

Prince William, Kate Middleton and the Royal Baby

Kate Middleton and Prince William have unveiled their newborn son for the very first time outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital in London.

Prince William, Kate Middleton and the Royal Baby

Kate Middleton and Prince William have unveiled their newborn son for the very first time outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital in London.

Prince William, Kate Middleton and the Royal Baby

It's been weeks since we've seen the Duchess of Cambridge in public and she looked the picture of health following her 11-hour natural labour yesterday, wearing a bespoke pastel blue and white polka dot dress by Jenny Packham and clutching her newborn baby boy.

Prince William, Kate Middleton and the Royal Baby

Just. So. Cute.

Prince William, Kate Middleton and the Royal Baby

The royal couple posed for photos on the steps of the hospital, before making their way down to talk to waiting press - with Kate handing the little one over to Prince William on the way.

Prince William, Kate Middleton and the Royal Baby

'He's got a good pair of lungs on him. He's a big boy, he's quite heavy. We're still deciding on a name,' proud dad Prince William told the BBC.

Prince William, Kate Middleton and the Royal Baby

Shortly after their first EVER family portrait, the Duke, Duchess and Prince of Cambridge turned back inside the hospital to put the baby in his car seat. They then re-emerged, waved, and then travelled via car to their new home at Kensington Palace. Prince William will remain there on paternity leave for two weeks before returning to work in the RAF.

Click on for ALL the gorgeous pictures of the royal baby and his happy family...

Prince William, Kate Middleton and the Royal Baby

Prince William, Kate Middleton and the Royal Baby

Prince William, Kate Middleton and the Royal Baby

Prince William, Kate Middleton and the Royal Baby

Prince William, Kate Middleton and the Royal Baby

Prince William, Kate Middleton and the Royal Baby

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall

Proud grandparents Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall made their first visit to the Lindo wing at St Mary's hospital to visit William and Kate's Prince of Cambridge - the third in line to the throne.

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall

Signalling we won't have long to wait before we set eyes on the royal baby ourselves, Prince Charles told reporter William and Kate's little one is 'marvellous,' adding:'You'll see in a minute'. How exciting!

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall arrived at the hospital in convoy, for their first audience with the royal baby.

Carole and Michael Middleton

As Michael and Carole Middleton returned from their visit to their day-old grandson, the couple could hardly hide their smiles.

Carole and Michael Middleton

Grandmother Carole Middleton told waiting reporters the royal baby was 'beautiful,' and that the parents are doing 'fabulously,' before stepping into a waiting car.

Carole and Michael Middleton

Dressed in a printed silk tea dress and nude kitten heels, Carole Middleton chatted briefly to a member of hospital staff on the steps, before making her way inside with her husband.

Carole and Michael Middleton

Beating members of the royal family - including the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince Harry - to be the first to meet the third in line to the throne, the royal parents-in-law clearly could not wait to meet the brand new Prince of Cambridge.

Carole and Michael Middleton

Beaming for the cameras, the proud grandparents arrived in a black taxi and entered the building via the main entrance, after being greeted by the hospital's lead clinician Jonathan Ramsay.

Carole and Michael Middleton

Kate Middleton's parents Michael and Carole Middleton became the royal baby's first visitors this afternoon, as they arrived at the Lindo Wing at St Mary's hospital in London.

Carole and Michael Middleton

Eschewing a royal convoy, the Duchess of Cambridge's parents arrived at the hospital in black taxi.

Amanda Cook-Tucker

Michael and Carole Middleton's visit comes after Kate Middleton's hairdresser, Amanda Cook-Tucker was spotted entering the hospital via a side entrance this afternoon.

Amanda Cook-Tucker and Royal Assistant

She was joined by an assistant to the royal couple, who was caring a tiny baby seat, and later, several dresses in covers and a bag full of Kate's personal belongings. 

Royal Assistant

The aides' coming and going has prompted speculation that the Duke and Duchess and baby Cambridge could make their first appearance in a matter of hours. How exciting!

Betting Boards Outside The Hospital

Thousands of bets have been placed to guess the name of the future King, with 'George' being the most popular choice for the child.

Chelsea Pensioners Toast To The Birth

The Chelsea Pentioners showed up to support the Royal Family toasting to the birth at St Mary's Hospital on Tuesday morning.

The War Memorial Museum In New Zealand

In Auckland, New Zealand honoured the Royal Baby's birth by lighting up their War Memorial Museum.

Niagra Falls in The US

Niagra Falls was aglow with blue as America paid homage to the Royal birth.

The London Eye Lit Up

Lit in red, white and blue, the London Eye was demonstrating true patriotism in London on Monday night.

The Sky Tower In London

The Sky Tower joined in, lighting up London's skyline in Royal Baby Blue.

London's Cloud Event Centre

In honour of the announcement that the Royal Baby was a boy, London's Cloud Event Centre was lit up in blue.

London Turns Boy-Blue

The skyline of London was prepared to be lit up 'pink' for a girl and 'blue' for a Royal Baby boy.

Celebrations at Buckingham Palace

The people of London were out in force last night following the announcement of the Royal Baby, taking to the streets to show their elation at the news.

The BT Tower Announces The Birth

The BT Tower announced the sex of the Royal Baby with the message 'It's A Boy' in central London on Monday night.

Wellwishers at Buckingham Palace

Wellwishers patienty waited at Buckingham Palace for news of the birth during the hottest day recorded in the UK since 2007.

Congratulatory sign at St Mary's Hospital

St Mary's Hospital has been inundated with banners, cards and presents following the birth of the Royal Baby.

The Royal Easel

The framed certificate signed by Kate Middleton's royal doctor contained just a short sentence, which confirmed the Duchess had been delivered of a son at 4:24pm in the afternoon.

The Royal Easel

After a break with tradition which saw the royal baby news announced via press release first, Queen's Press Secretary and a footman strode out in front of Buckingham Palace to set up the traditional easel.

Town Crier Tony Appleton

Dressed in full traditional get-up, Tony Appleton claims he 'crashed the party' as the royal baby's birth was announced. Tony was not invited to speak, he simply jumped out of a cab and addressed the crowd.

The Town Crier outside the Lindo Wing

Town Crier Tony Appleton cried, 'On this day, the 22nd of July, the year of 2013, we welcome with honourable duty a future king.'

Town Crier Tony Appleton

Tony Appleton brought a touch of tradition to the circus of media activity as he announced the royal baby's birth from the hospital steps.

A Teddy Bear Is Delivered To The Door

Prince William and Kate Middleton will be inundated with gifts - this teddy bear was delivered to the doors of the hospital on Tuesday morning.

The News Is Announced

Ed Perkins, Head of News at the Royal Household clutches an envelope with details of Kate Middleton's birth.

The Lindo Wing St Mary's Hospital

The world watched at the doors of the Lindo Wing as the 'Great Kate Wait' with news that Kate had gone into labour on Monday morning.

St Mary's Hospital

Kate arrived at The Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, where Princess Diana gave birth to Prince William and Harry, in the early hours of Monday morning.

Photographers at St Mary's Hospital

After a three-week stint outside St Mary's Hospital for some of the world's press, crews remained faithful to their spots, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Middleton family slipping in, or Prince William slipping out.