Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have welcomed a 鈥渧ery healthy鈥� baby boy.

Buckingham Palace said in a news release that the Duchess gave birth Monday at 5:26 a.m. in England. The baby weighed seven pounds, three ounces (3.2 kilograms).

In a brief public appearance Monday, Prince Harry told reporters that both mother and son are doing well.

鈥淚鈥檓 so incredibly proud of my wife,鈥� Prince Harry said. 鈥淎s every father and parent would ever say, your baby is absolutely amazing. But this little thing is absolutely to die for, so I鈥檓 just over the moon.鈥�

The Duke added that they are 鈥渟till thinking鈥� about what to name the royal baby. 鈥淭he baby is a little bit overdue, so we鈥檝e had a little bit of time to think about it,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the next bit.鈥� The family is expected to make a public appearance in two days鈥� time.

Details of the birth were kept particularly quiet. The couple bucked royal tradition in April, when Kensington Palace announced that the couple would share news of the birth once they had celebrated privately. This means that Harry and Meghan did not pose for photos on the steps outside the Lindo Wing of St. Mary's Hospital in central London as Prince William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, had for their three children.

The infant is seventh in line to the British throne and Queen Elizabeth II's eighth great-grandchild. Harry is the younger son of Prince Charles, heir to the throne, and the late Princess Diana, who died in a Paris car crash in 1997.

Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, was reportedly also with her daughter and said she is overjoyed, according to British media. Senior royals were informed of the birth, as was the family of Diana, Harry's late mother, before he went before the cameras.

The couple's Instagram account said: "It's a boy! Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to announce the birth of their child."

Harry said he planned to make another announcement, probably in two days' time, "so everyone can see the baby." It's expected they will pose for a family picture at that point.

Crowds that had gathered in Windsor near the castle that is one of the queen's favourite residences reacted with joy to the welcome news that the baby had been born. Some said it would provide a welcome respite from the continuing political stalemate over Brexit.

U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May congratulated the royal couple and wished them the best in a tweet. Prime Minister Justin Trudeaucongratulations to the couple.

Harry and Meghan recently moved from central London to a secluded house known as Frogmore Cottage near Windsor Castle, 40 kilometres west of London.

Anticipation for the royal baby was matched by unprecedented betting. Punters reportedly bet around (more than CAD$13 million) on what the sex, name and date of birth would be. Most bets were on the baby being a girl and the front-running name was Diana after Prince Harry鈥檚 late mother. Other top name predictions included Victoria, Alice, Grace and Elizabeth.

Popular guesses for a boy are Albert, Arthur and James.

-----

With files from the Associated Press

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by (@sussexroyal) on