'They liked the names... no more, no less': Palace reveals
why Kate and William chose GEORGE ALEXANDER LOUIS for their baby
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2376774/Why-royal-baby-called-George-Alexander-Louis-Kate-William-liked-names.html
Kensington
Palace revealed the
baby's full name will be George Alexander Louis
The third in line to the throne will be known as Prince George
George was the
bookmakers' favourite once Kate's pregnancy was announced
The Queen saw her great-grandson for the first time
yesterday morning
She would have been told by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge of their choice
Six King Georges have worn the crown throughout history
Royal biographer
Robert Lacey said the choice of George would give the Queen 'great pleasure'
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have named their baby son George
Alexander Louis.
When he rules this country, perhaps not for half a century
or more, he will be King George VII. Until then, he will be known formally as
His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge.
William and Kate came to a relatively quick decision
yesterday about the hugely anticipated name. George had long been the
favourite, with bookmakers shortening the odds in recent days.
Daily mail
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/index.html
The royal wave: Baby Cambridge
greets the world as proud parents Kate and William take their tiny son home to Kensington Palace
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2374931/Kate-Middletons-parents-beat-royals-family-members-visit-new-baby.html
Kate, Prince William and their newborn baby travel home to Kensington Palace this evening
Couple say they are ‘still working on a name’
William jokes his 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’
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 to be
close to Duchess of Cambridge and their son
The world has seen the royal baby for the first time as the
future king left hospital with his ecstatic parents this 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 the steps his parents Charles and Diana
took with him 31 years ago, when he was born there 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.'
Confirming that the prince was overdue, William said: ‘I
will remind him of his tardiness when he is older.’
With a huge smile he then added: ‘He’s got her looks
thankfully’ to which the Duchess responded ‘No, no, no I’m not sure about
that.’
The Duchess wore a lilac purple dress, with her long hair
falling in waves around her face. The new father wore a blue open neck shirt
rolled up to his elbows with black trousers.
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
William then visibly breathed a 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.
The Duke, Duchess and Baby Cambridge will travel home to Kensington Palace tonight, spending two weeks there
while William is on paternity leave.
Huge crowds of well-wishers and journalists from all over
the world have been waiting outside the west London hospital ward for weeks,
first to be there when Kate went into labour and now as the couple left with
her firstborn child.
Meanwhile, this evening the Queen told guests at a Buckingham Palace reception she was 'thrilled' at
the birth of her great-grandson.
Earlier the royal baby's grandparents met him for the first
time, and soon afterwards Kensington
Palace confirmed the
Duke, Duchess and baby would leave this evening.
Kate's sister Pippa is said to be there waiting for her.
Carole and Michael Middleton were the first to arrive at the
private Lindo Wing at around 3pm today, with Prince Charles and his wife
Camilla following them at 5.30pm after being rushed to London
by helicopter after two-days carrying out official duties in Yorkshire.
Before mounting the St Mary's Hospital steps, the smiling
Prince of Wales asked journalists who have been stood outside for almost three
weeks: 'Have you been there long?'
When he left around 10 minutes later, Charles said the baby
was 'marvellous' and told journalists: 'You'll see in a minute'.
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 doting grandmother Carole Middleton described her
grandson, the future king, as 'absolutely beautiful' after she and her husband
visited him.
The Duchess of Cambridge's parents said their first
grandchild is 'absolutely beautiful' and his parents are coping 'fabulously'.
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.'
When asked by the world's media, who have been camped
outside for nearly three weeks, how the proud parents were doing, she replied:
'Fabulously.'
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.'
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!'.
Adding to speculation the world will soon get its first
glimpse of the new prince, a member of the royal household also arrived
carrying a car seat for the future king and fresh clothes for Kate and William
earlier today.
The Duchess's hairdresser Amanda Cook Tucker, who has been
her stylist since last year, also entered the Lindo Wing via its private rear
entrance this afternoon, adding to speculation that mother and child were soon
to be 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 'are all doing well'
today and William and Kate expressed their gratitude to the St Mary's medical
team for their 'tremendous care' over the past 24 hours, after their son was
born there at 4.24pm yesterday, weighing 8lb 6oz.
The world is desperate to get see the unnamed baby, with
royal sources saying that they will not leave before 6pm this evening and could
even be tomorrow.
'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 this afternoon.
A Kensington
Palace spokesman added:
'Mother, son and father are all doing well this morning.'
The overjoyed couple have started their first full day as
proud parents of a ‘beautiful’ baby boy, as Britain continues to celebrate the
prince's birth.
Last night William slept at the hospital in a separate room
so he could be near his wife and their little boy.
The Queen’s Surgeon-Gynaecologist Marcus Setchell came to
assess Kate this morning and decided when the Duchess and baby can be
discharged.
Their prince could also be named today, with the bookies'
favourite currently being James, followed by George and Henry, but he has
already been given the title His Royal Highness and will be known as Prince
(Name) of Cambridge.
Last 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'.
This morning 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 today that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wanted to
see their baby’s 'little face' and get to know him before choosing a name.
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 today 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,' Mr Barrett added.
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.'
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 will be a 21-gun salute fired from Point
Jerningham, Wellington,
today 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 today 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.
Elated new parents the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have given their backing to a
charity supporting the hospital where their son was born.
The couple pledged to support Imperial College Healthcare
Charity in celebration of their first born's birth, the charity said.
The charity raises money for research and studies designed
to improve services to St Mary's and four other hospitals constituting Imperial
College Healthcare NHS Trust.
The Duke and Duchess's baby boy was delivered in the private
Lindo Wing of St Mary's.
Jane Miles, the charity's chief executive, said: 'We are
honoured and delighted that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have chosen to support us in
celebration of such a joyous occasion.
'The charity wishes them and their son every future happiness.
'Having their support is hugely important to us as a charity
that strives to improve the service given to patients at the five hospitals,
including St Mary's, of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.'
As well-wishers gathered at the hospital, William's uncle,
the brother of his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, issued a statement
welcoming the new family arrival.
Earl Spencer, who has
his seven children and 2 stepchildren staying with him and Countess Spencer, to
celebrate the first birthday of their youngest daughter, Lady Charlotte Diana
Spencer, said: 'We're all so pleased: it's wonderful news. My father always
told us how Diana was born on just such a blisteringly hot day, at Sandringham, in July,
1961. It's another very happy summer's day, half a century on.'
This morning the Band
of the Scots Guard used the daily Changing Of The Guard at Buckingham Palace
to pay tribute to the tiny future king.
It played a medley of
hits starting with Cliff Richard's Congratulations, Royal Salute, The Duke of
Cambridge March, Procession of the Nobles and Spirit of Pageantry.
Some of those in the crowd who packed outside the palace
gates and at the Victoria Memorial sang along, while the ensemble broke into
spontaneous applause at its conclusion.
Sir Richard Sykes, Chairman of Imperial College Healthcare
NHS Trust, also said this morning: 'Like people up and down the country, I was
delighted to hear the news that the Duchess of Cambridge has had her baby boy.
On behalf of everyone at the Trust I would like to congratulate Their Royal
Highnesses on the new arrival.
'It will always be a source of great pride for the Trust and
everyone who works here that the baby, like his father, was born in the Lindo
Wing at St Mary’s and we would like to wish him/her the very best of luck for
the future.