Royal baby is heaviest future king 'in over a century'

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s third child is believed to be Britain’s heaviest future king born in over a century.

Kensington Palace confirmed the highly anticipated birth of the as-yet unnamed boy just after 11am weighing 8lbs 7oz after Kate Middleton went into labour this morning.

The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth with Kate and the baby said to be "both doing well", a palace spokesperson tweeted.

The newest Royal Family member is understood to be one of the heaviest babies in royal history, leading Sky News presenter Kay Burley to describe him as a "porker" during coverage of the birth.

The average weight of a baby in the UK is around 7lb 7oz (3.5 kg).

The now fifth-in-line to the throne tipped the scales narrowly more than his elder brother Prince George (8lbs 6oz) who was reported to be the weightiest future king in 100 years when he was born in July 2013.

Princess Charlotte, the boy’s older sister, weighed 8lbs 3oz when she was born in May 2015.

But the new prince is not the heaviest royal baby in recent years, with that title falling to Savannah Phillips – the daughter of the Queen’s grandson Peter Phillips – who weighed 8lb 8oz when she was born on December 29 in 2010.

The Queen is "delighted" along with the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles, Prince Harry, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Middletons, Kensington Palace said.

Kensington Palace tweeted: "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 1101hrs.

"The baby weighs 8lbs 7oz. The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth. Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well.

"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."

Kensington Palace said the name of the baby would be announced in due course and a formal notice of the birth would be posted on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.

The royal baby arrived into the world only about five hours after Kate was admitted to the private Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington this morning in the "early stages of labour".

As the Duchess delivered her second son, crowds of well-wishers waited outside the maternity unit, holding banners and Union Jack flags.

After news emerged of the birth, they began cheering loudly and clapping.

The little boy, who is a younger sibling to Kate’s two older children, George, four, and two-year-old Charlotte, is now fifth in line to the throne and is the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh’s sixth great-grandchild.

The ‘Great Kate Wait’ had officially begun this morning, after Kensington Palace announced the Duchess had arrived at hospital in labour.

The birth of her third child – which comes as the country celebrates patriotic St George’s Day – was confirmed by Kensington Palace via Twitter.

It was also due to be marked with a traditional bulletin on show at Buckingham Palace, as well as a 41-gun salute in Green Park or Hyde Park.

A 62-gun salute at the Tower of London is also set to take place.

Celebrities and politicians have been sending their best wishes to The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on social media.

Prime Minister Theresa May sent her "warmest congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their baby boy."

"I wish them great happiness for the future," she added.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan tweeted: "On behalf of Londoners, I want to send our warmest congratulations to the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their baby boy."

Brandon Lewis, chair of the conservative Party, also tweeted his "huge congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge."

Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner also tweeted her "congratulations to William & Kate on the birth of their baby boy."

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Former world heavyweight champion boxer, Frank Bruno MBE, and Hollywood actress Mia Farrow were among the celebrity well wishers on social media.

Meanwhile, comedian David Walliams quipped: "Prince Harry just got demoted again."

Although the wait for the baby’s birth may be over, the public could be left guessing as to the youngster’s name for several days.

The names given to royal babies are not usually revealed straight away.

Indeed, Kate and William took two days to announce both George and Charlotte’s names, informing the Queen of their choice beforehand.

The couple had travelled by car from Kensington Palace to the Lindo Wing earlier today, as the Duchess prepared to give birth to their son.

Kensington Palace said in a statement this morning: "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was admitted to St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London, earlier this morning 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."