The royal wave: Baby Cambridge greets the world as proud parents Kate and William take their tiny son home to Kensington Palace

Kate, Prince William and their newborn baby travelled home to Kensington Palace yesterday evening



Couple reveal they are 'still working on a name' but James and George are the bookies' favourites



William says new son ‘has a good pair of lungs’ and tells crowd his child has Kate’s looks and more hair than him

Kate's parents Carole and Michael were the first members of the family to visit their daughter and her young son

Duchess says: ‘It’s been emotional. Any parent will know what this feeling is like'

William aces his first test of fatherhood as he gets the car seat right first time

Prince Charles and Camilla came two hours later and said the baby was 'marvellous'

Couple release new statement thanking St Mary's Hospital staff for how they have looked after 'the three of us'

William stayed in a separate hospital room overnight on Monday to be close to Duchess of Cambridge and their son




The world has seen the royal baby for the first time: the future king left hospital with his ecstatic parents yesterday evening, who revealed they had not yet chosen him a name.

Prince William and Kate waved and smiled broadly to the waiting cameras as they held their prince on the steps of the private Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital in London, 26 hours after he was delivered, weighing 8lbs 6oz.

Speaking for the first time since giving birth, an obviously moved Duchess of Cambridge said: 'It's been very emotional. Any parent will know what this feeling is like.'

As they left St Mary's carefully cradling their precious child, the Duke of Cambridge followed in the footsteps of his parents, Charles and Diana. William was born in the same hospital 31 years ago, on June 21, 1982.

'He's a big boy, quite heavy. We're still working on a name,' he told reporters, adding: 'Well, he has a good pair of lungs on him, that's for sure.'



Scroll down for videos

Special moment: Prince William and Kate waved and smiled broadly as they carried their son out of hospital, but they are yet to decide on a name

The couple then returned to the hospital as William held his son, swaddled in a blanket, before bringing him out again in his car seat.

The Prince was heard to affectionately call Kate 'Poppet' as he ushered her back to the Lindo Wing.



William then breathed a visible sigh of relief when he successfully installed his baby on the back seat with his wife, before driving them home to Kensington Palace cheered on by a huge crowd.

Their child is now third in the line of succession, displacing Prince Harry to fourth and the Duke of York to fifth, although he may not become sovereign for half a century or more.

Caring: As his wife walked down the steps, William placed a protective hand on her arm to make sure the new mother and son made it down safely

Warm welcome: The ecstatic crowd sang 'Congratulations' as the new parents stepped out of the London hospital

Heir to the throne: Kensington Palace revealed the baby's full name will be George Alexander Louis

Happy trio: Kate told reporters: 'It's been very emotional. Any parent will know what this feeling is like', while the prince joked the baby 'has more hair than me'

Statement: William and Kate both spoke to the press and the Prince said 'thankfully he has her looks'

Good spirits: The new parents both looked in good spirits as they spoke to the waiting press, ending weeks of speculation about when the baby will arrive

Soon afterwards Kensington Palace confirmed: 'Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge will be discharged this evening.



'The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their son will travel home to Kensington Palace.



'Their Royal Highnesses would like to reiterate their thanks to the hospital for the care and treatment they have all received'.

Earlier, after she and her husband visited the hospital, doting grandmother Carole Middleton described her grandson, the future king, as 'absolutely beautiful'.



The Duchess of Cambridge's parents said Kate and William were coping 'fabulously' with their first-born.



The Middletons spent just over an hour with their daughter Kate and son-in-law William, and a smiling Mrs Middleton, speaking about mother and baby, said: 'They are both doing really well, and we are so thrilled.'

Asked what the first cuddle with her grandson was like, Mrs Middleton, who had been ushered forward by her husband to speak to the press, said: 'Amazing, It's all coming back.'



Strapped in: The newborn baby was strapped into a car seat as Prince William carried him out of the hospital and into the awaiting car

William calmly carried his new baby to the Range Rover which he drove home himself with his wife and child on board

Welcome to the world: The baby, titled His Royal Highness, Prince George of Cambridge, raised his tiny hands in the air as he was transported to the awaiting car in the car seat

Precious cargo: Prince William carefully placed his new son in the back seat of the awaiting car in preparation for their journey back to Kensington Palace Relief: With the world watching as he strapped his new son into the car William let out a sigh of relief that he had passed a crucial parent test - the fiddly car seat Stylish: The Duchess of Cambridge wore a bespoke lilac dress by British designer Jenny Packham, teamed with cream wedges



Goodbye: William gives a final farewell wave before he drives his wife and their new addition back home Proud dad: William waved a last farewell to the crowds of well-wishers outside the hospital as he prepared to drive his wife and child home from hospital

Kate looked incredibly fresh despite going into labour and giving birth less than two days ago Parenthood: The proud parents drive away from the public spotlight - for the time being, at least - making their way back to Prince George's new home, Kensington Palace Arrival: The new family arrive at Kensington Palace with their newborn son, where Kate's sister Pippa Middleton was waiting for them

Decades before: Princess Diana and Prince Charles present Prince William to the world 31 years ago - Diana's polka-dot dress is a little reminiscent of Kate's

Carole was also asked if she and Michael had suggested any names for the third in line to the throne, and she replied laughing: 'Absolutely not!'.

The Duchess's hairdresser Amanda Cook Tucker, who has been her stylist since last year, entered the Lindo Wing via its private rear entrance , before mother and child were discharged.

Mrs Cook Tucker has been cutting William and Harry's hair for years , attended the royal wedding and was even flown in on their trip to the Far East in 2012 because Kate's hair started to droop in the 36 degree temperatures.

Earlier it was revealed that the family were 'all doing well' and William and Kate expressed their gratitude to the St Mary's medical team for their 'tremendous care', after their son was born there at 4.24pm on Monday, weighing 8lb 6oz.

'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.



'We know it has been a very busy period for the hospital and we would like to thank everyone - staff, patients and visitors - for their understanding during this time,' a joint statement from the couple said yesterday afternoon.

Nursing staff are said to have helped Kate begin to breast-feed her son yesterday morning.



A Kensington Palace spokesman added: 'Mother, son and father are all doing well this morning.'

On Monday night William slept at the hospital in a separate room so he could be near his wife and their little boy.

Royal duties: As they commotion ensued Queen Elizabeth II attended a reception for the Winners of the Queens Award for Enterprise 2013 at Buckingham Palace

Delight: The Queen told guests at a Buckingham Palace reception she was 'thrilled' at the birth of her great-grandson



On Monday night, great-grandmother the Queen said she was 'delighted' at the news while an overwhelmed Prince Charles exclaimed he was 'overjoyed' and 'enormously proud and happy to be a grandfather for the first time'.



Before travelling back to London to meet his grandson for the first time, the Prince of Wales told crowds in Yorkshire that he and his wife the Duchess of Cornwall were still 'thrilled and excited' and celebrated with champagne last night, but added they have 'no idea' what their grandson's name would be.

The Evening Standard said that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wanted to see their baby’s 'little face' and get to know him before choosing a name.

Onlookers climb to risky vantage points to get a better look at the Royal couple and their new arrival as they leave the Lindo Wing at St Mary's

Spectators teeter on their narrow vantage points as they wait for the young family to appear

There's not a great deal of space for this onlooker as he waits to catch a glimpse of Britain's newest prince from a narrow window ledge across the street from the doors to the Lindo Wing

Scores of photographers train their lenses on the Duke and Duchess and Cambridge as they present their newborn son to the world All hoping for that perfect picture: Many of the professional photographers out to capture the moment had been camped night and day to get the best spot

The most photographed newborn in the world: The press pack gathered from across the world to capture the first pictures of the royal baby as he emerged from hospital for his first taste of fresh air Film crews and onlookers capture the moment as Prince William carries the new arrival to the back seat of his car Photographers crane their necks to get the best shots for publication in newspapers, magazines and websites the world over Nurses from St Mary's wave and cheer as Prince William and Kate leave the hospital to take their little one home

Poking fun: Camilla smiles broadly as Prince Charles asks journalists outside St Mary's Hospital: 'Have you been there long?' before heading up the steps to meet his first grandchild

Exit: After an hour in the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital, Carole and Michael Middleton leave after seeing their grandson for the first time

Few words: Carole said the baby was 'absolutely beautiful' and that William and Kate were coping 'fabulously'

Thrilled: Kate's parents Carole and Michael smiled broadly as they arrived at hospital to see their daughter and meet their new grandchild

Excited: It appears that Kate and William asked the Middletons to visit their new child before the royal family

Telling: The Middletons' arrival at St Mary's Hospital came as it emerged that Kate, William and Baby Cambridge were soon to leave



Ready to go home? A member of the royal staff has arrived at St Mary's hospital and has taken a car seat in via a rear entrance alongside Kate's official hairdresser Amanda Cook Tucker, dragging a suitcase, raising hopes Kate, William and the baby might be about to leave

Help: A chauffeur holds dresses for the staff member, who was then waved into the hospital by police through the Mary Sandford entrance, which Kate came through on Monday



Not long now: Members of the press are forced to wait in the pouring rain for the first glimpse of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their newborn son outside St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, west London, yesterday

Patient: Broadcasters are forced to take cover under a Union Flag umbrella as yet another thunderstorm hit London yesterday afternoon

Drenched: Police officers keeping the St Mary's Hospital secure are not allowed to shelter from the heavy downpours

Inclement weather: After three weeks of sunshine London was hit with a series of violent storms

Impatient: A sweet young girl clutches her two dolls outside the hospital where the royal baby was born, while a well-wisher drops off some gifts for the prince



Offer: A man asks police guarding the Lindo Wing whether they can take a teddy bear gift for the new prince

The young prince's first night in the world was an eventful one, because London was hit with a number of violent thunderstorms after what had been the hottest day of the year so far.

Meanwhile well-wishers partied late into the night outside Buckingham Palace, even in the thunder, lightening and torrential rain.

Prime Minister David Cameron said it was 'a historic moment in the life of our nation' but 'above all, it's a wonderful moment for a warm and loving couple who have got a brand new baby boy'. U.S. President Barack Obama led tributes from world leaders and said that the new baby's birth was a 'joyous occasion'.



The Prince of Wales had resisted heading back to London to meet the child and stuck to his royal duties in Yorkshire, where his wife Camilla described the arrival of the Prince of Cambridge as 'a wonderfully uplifting moment for the country'.

Charles and Camilla were met by cheering crowds of well-wishers on a visit to East Yorkshire where villager after villager offered the couple their congratulations as the royal couple walked around the green in Bugthorpe.

'I'm thrilled and very excited,' the Prince of Wales said, while the Duchess said her husband would make a 'brilliant' grandfather.

'I think it's wonderful news. I think mother, son and father are all well,' she told the BBC.

'And I think it's a wonderfully uplifting moment for the country. It's very exciting and it's wonderful for the grandfather - he's brilliant with children.'

The village was decked out with Union flags and bunting for the visit.

One member of the crowd, local resident Robert Barrett, was one of the first to greet the Prince, saying 'Morning Grandad', which raised a chuckle from Charles. 'He obviously likes being a grandad,' said Mr Barrett.

And a little boy asked the Prince: 'When's the little baby coming?' to which Charles replied: 'We haven't been able to bring him yet.'

Isla Lister, eight, said both Charles and Camilla told her they could not wait to see the new baby.



She said: 'She was really nice and she said was really excited. I spoke to Prince Charles too and he said he couldn't wait to see him too.'

The day after: Crowds started to gather outside Buckingham Palace after London was soaked by torrential rain from violent thunderstorms

Back again: Huge numbers headed to Buckingham Palace again to see the Changing of the Guard, where the band played 'Congratulations' and other celebratory songs

Pageantry: Traffic waited behind the band as the band marched up The Mall to the Palace playing cheerful and jubilant music marking the royal birth



Dozens of world leaders have been sending best wishes to the Cambridges and their new child.



Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd wished the 'royal bub' all the best on behalf of all Australians.



'This is a day of great joy,' he said. 'When a new bub comes into the world, any old day, any part of the world, it is frankly a time for rejoicing.



'To Prince Charles and Camilla, they have the delight of being grandparents, all I can say is, this is probably one of the best experiences of your life and I'm sure they're going to have a wonderful time with the royal baby'.



Stephen Harper, prime minister of Canada - where William and Kate carried out their first Royal tour together - said Canadians were 'delighted' to learn of the birth of their son and sent 'heartfelt congratulations'.



'This new beginning reminds us of the remarkable and enduring relationship our country has enjoyed with generations of the royal family.



'We recall with fondness the years of unfailing service by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh and their deep affection for and loyalty to this country.'



The Royal Canadian Mint also announced that it will issue special commemorative coins to mark the historic occasion.



New Zealand's prime minister John Key said the nation's official gift to the royal couple is a hand-spun, hand-knitted fine lace shawl, similar to the one given when Prince William was born, and there was a 21-gun salute fired from Point Jerningham, Wellington, to mark the occasion.



'This is wonderful news for Prince William and Catherine,' he said.



'The birth of a child is a time of great joy and excitement, and I know they will make excellent parents.'



He added: 'New Zealanders remember with fondness the visit of Prince William when he was just a toddler, playing on the lawn of Government House with a Buzzy Bee. It would be a great pleasure to welcome Prince William's son to New Zealand as well.



'On behalf of the people of New Zealand, I wish Prince William, Catherine and the royal family all the very best.'

Many people asked whether the new baby had a name, but Charles gave little away.

Alec Dale told Charles: 'We popped a bottle of bubbly last night at our house. I hope you did too.'

The Prince replied: 'Yes. But just a little bit.'

Debbie Lister, asked Camilla about the baby's name.

Mrs Lister said: 'She said they had no clue whatsoever. She wasn't giving anything away. I thought she might tell me something, but no.'

And Isla's grandmother, Judy Willis, said Charles told her: 'Grannies are getting younger, you know.'



Gun salutes sounded across London yesterday to mark the birth of the royal baby as the armed forces join in the celebrations.



The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Honourable Artillery Company carried out the ceremonial royal salutes in honour of the new addition to the Royal Family.



Gun salutes are fired for the birth of every prince or princess, no matter where their place is in the line of succession, the Ministry of Defence said. The last royal salute for a birth was for Princess Eugenie in 1990.



The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, wearing full dress uniform, paraded past Buckingham Palace to Green Park where they staged a 41-gun royal salute.



They went from their forward mounting base in Wellington Barracks into Green Park, where 71 horses pulled six First World War-era 13-pounder field guns into position for the royal salute at 2pm.



Each of the six guns fired blank artillery rounds at 10-second intervals until 41 shots were fired. The horses and riders then collected the guns and escorted them back to Wellington Barracks.



Major Mark Edward, commanding officer of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, said: 'The opportunity to mark the birth of the child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge by firing a 41-gun royal salute, comes as a huge honour for the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery.'



The Honourable Artillery Company (HAC), the City of London's Army Reserve Regiment, also fired a 62-gun salute from Gun Wharf at the Tower of London at 2pm.



Whilst a royal gun salute normally comprises 21 guns, this is increased to 41 if fired from a royal park or residence.



Uniquely, at the Tower of London, which is a royal residence, 62 rounds are fired as this also includes an additional 21 guns for the citizens of the City of London to show their loyalty to the monarch.



Well-wishers wearing outfits emblazoned with the national flag celebrate news of the birth of the new Royal baby outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington

Shortly after an announcement was made by press release, the couple’s Press Secretary, Ed Perkins, walked out of the hospital to hand the formal proclamation to a waiting driver who sped with it across London to Buckingham Palace.

There it was displayed on an easel last used to announce William’s birth in 1982 by the Queen’s Press Secretary, Aisla Anderson.

For much of the day, however, the waiting media and public had little more to go on than a brief 45-word statement from Kensington Palace which read: ‘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 Duchess travelled by car from Kensington Palace to the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital with The Duke of Cambridge.’

Palace officials refused to give any further details, arguing they wanted to afford the Duchess some ‘dignity’ in what was a very public labour, although sources also confirmed what the nation had long suspected: that Kate was overdue.

But photographs taken at 5.30am by a freelance photographer waiting outside the hospital capture the moment just seconds after Kate and her husband, both 31, were smuggled in a side entrance to the hospital.

The royal parents-to-be were driven from Kensington Palace in a blacked out Ford Galaxy people carrier followed by a blue Saab containing a security detail, both different vehicles from normal in a bid to outfox the paparazzi. The only clue as to the passengers’ identities were the plain-clothed Scotland Yard protection officers standing in the street.

News of their arrival was quick to leak out over the social media network Twitter, with photographers crowing about their ‘world exclusive’ by 5.55am.



Aides had always made clear, however, that they would not publicly comment on the Duchess’s condition until she had been safely assessed by her consultants, the Queen’s Surgeon-Gynaecologist Marcus Setchell and his assistant, Surgeon-Gynaecologist to the Royal Household, Alan Farthing.

At 7.29am that announcement was finally released.

Although it is unconfirmed by the palace, medical experts suggest that the Duchess, who has made clear she hopes for a natural birth, was not medically induced even though she was believed to be up to a week overdue.

Doctors would not have been keen to instigate a medical intervention until she was closer to two weeks’ pregnant and it would almost certainly been done under supervision in hospital, whereas the couple were driven from their home, Nottingham Cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace, where they had spent the weekend quietly.

Despite fears that William, a Search and Rescue pilot with RAF, may be on duty in North Wales when contractions began, he was fortunately in London - after taking a week’s leave from work - and able to accompany his wife to the hospital.

The prince had always been determined to be at his wife’s side for the birth of their first child, as his father, Prince Charles, was before him, and even had a helicopter on stand-by in his back garden in Wales in case the baby came early.

Other royal wives have not been so lucky. Prince Philip was enjoying a game of squash with his private secretary when the then Princess Elizabeth gave birth to their first born, Charles.

Buckingham Palace say that as an HRH, the youngster does not require a surname, indeed William and his brother Harry were christened using just their first names.

Its website explains: ‘For the most part, members of the Royal Family who are entitled to the style and dignity of HRH Prince or Princess do not need a surname, but if at any time any of them do need a surname (such as upon marriage), that surname is Mountbatten-Windsor.’

However William has chosen to use the surname Wales professionally in the forces, as has Harry. His children might use Cambridge in the same way, or even Wales, too, as William still retains his title Prince William of Wales as well as that of the Duke of Cambridge.

Although just hours old, the baby boy is destined to become a future head of the armed forces, supreme governor of the Church of England and head of the Commonwealth, which covers 54 nations across the world, and subsequently head of state of 16 countries across the globe.