Meghan Markle gives birth to a boy

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have welcomed a healthy baby boy.

The Duchess of Sussex gave birth to a son, weighing 7lbs 3oz, at 05:26am on May 6, 2019.

It is thought that Meghan had the child at home at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, but this has not been officially confirmed by palace aides.

The announcement of the birth came just an hour after Buckingham Palace confirmed the 37-year-old duchess had gone into labour in the early hours of the morning.

Husband Harry, 34, was by his wife’s side throughout. He appeared outside Windsor Castle shortly after the birth announcement, to give a TV interview.

The duke confirmed mother and son are both doing well, adding “the baby is a little bit overdue.”

Harry said: “It’s been the most amazing experience I could have possibly imagined,” before adding “how any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension.”

“Every father and parent will say your baby is absolutely amazing but this little thing is absolutely to die for. I’m over the moon.”

The proud new father added that the couple are still thinking about names.

The Sussexes also posted the news to their Instagram account @SussexRoyal with details of the birth.

The caption also read: “The Duchess and baby are both healthy and well, and the couple thank members of the public for their shared excitement and support during this very special time in their lives.

More details will be shared in the forthcoming days.”

A traditional framed notice of birth on a ceremonial easel was placed on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace at approximately 4:30pm BST on Monday.

The notice read: “The Queen and the Royal Family are delighted at the news that Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex was safely delivered of a son at 05:26am today. Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well.”

Huge crowds gathered at the palace to catch a glimpse of the famous easel, which will be on display for around 24 hours.

A man dressed as a town crier outside Windsor Castle in Berkshire also attracted a lot of attention from royal watchers.

Doria ‘overjoyed’ by arrival of first grandchild

A palace statement confirmed that the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Earl Spencer have been informed and are delighted with the news.

Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, who is “overjoyed by the arrival of her first grandchild”, is with her daughter and Harry at Frogmore Cottage.

While the newborn is Prince Charles’ fourth grandchild, it’s the first for Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland. It’s also the eighth great-grandchild for the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

Meghan’s estranged father Thomas Markle released a statement about the arrival of his sixth grandchild.

“I am proud that my new grandson is born into the British royal family and I am sure that he will grow up to serve the crown and the people of Britain with grace, dignity, and honor,” he told The Sun.

“God bless the child and I wish him health and happiness, and my congratulations to my lovely daughter Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry, and God save the Queen.”

Baby name odds

The duke and duchess are yet to announce the name they have chosen for their son. That is set to be confirmed in the coming days.

During his TV interview, Harry said he and Meghan are “still thinking about names.”

The latest royal baby name odds have James and Alexander as the joint favourites, followed by Arthur, Edward and Oliver.

Here are the frontrunners:

James 7/2
Alexander 7/2
Arthur 6/1
Edward 12/1
Oliver 12/1
Jacob 14/1
Phillip 14/1
Charles 14/1
Alvin 25/1
Francis 25/1
Henry 25/1
Albert 25/1
Spencer 33/1
Matthew 33/1
Jack 33/1
Alastair 33/1
Alfred 33/1

While these are more traditional names, Harry and Meghan could opt for something different to pay tribute to Meghan’s American heritage.

What is the baby’s title?

The baby is seventh in line to the throne, behind father Harry and that means Prince Andrew has been bumped down to eighth place.

It’s understood that the child will not be a prince, unless the Queen issues a new Letters Patent.

Instead the duke and duchess’ son will take the title of the Earl of Dumbarton – one of Harry’s subsidiary titles given to him by the Queen on his wedding day last May.

When will we see Baby Sussex?

In the lead-up to the arrival of the newest royal, aides released a statement stating Meghan and Harry wanted to keep details around the birth private.

It’s understood that the couple will spend the first few days with their newborn son in private, before releasing photographs.

According to CNN reporter Max Foster, the first official photos of the baby could be unveiled to the world on Wednesday.

Harry is set to travel to the Netherlands this week. While his plans to go to Amsterdam on Wednesday 8 May have been cancelled, it is thought that his engagements in The Hague will go ahead.

The duke will officially launch the one year countdown to the Invictus Games The Hague 2020 on Thursday 9 May.

Michelle Obama among well-wishers

A whole host of famous faces have sent their well-wishes to Harry and Meghan following the birth of their baby boy.

Former US First Lady Michelle Obama tweeted: “Congratulations, Meghan and Harry! Barack and I are so thrilled for both of you and can’t wait to meet him. #RoyalBaby”

Meghan’s former Suits co-star Patrick J. Adams, who played her on-screen fiancé Mike Ross said: “Just heard that the world just got heavier by 7 pounds and 3 ounces. Much love to him and his incredible parents. Learned first hand 7 months ago how transformational becoming a parent is and couldn’t be happier for Meghan and Harry as they begin this adventure.”

The Suits‘ Twitter account also tweeted: “The entire #Suits family sends their congratulations to The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, on the birth of their baby boy!”

Prime Minister Theresa May, former One Direction star Liam Payne and TV host Ellen DeGeneres were also among the well-wishers.

Palace ‘caught by surprise’

The announcement that Meghan had given birth to a baby boy, came just one hour after the palace had sent out a statement saying she was in labour at around 2pm.

In fact, the duchess had already welcomed her first child at 05:26am.

This has led royal commentators to believe that even royal aides were kept in the dark about the labour and the birth.

Speaking to the BBC, Katie Nicholl said: “I don’t know how much this has caught the palace press office by surprise as well, it’s happened very quickly.

“It gives you some indication of how private this birth has been kept.”

The BBC‘s royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell added: “It is another measure of how determined [Harry and Meghan] are to just keep everybody at bay.

“I think it’s a reflection particularly of Harry’s suspicion, verging at times, still slightly hostile attitude to elements of the traditional British media.”

In the lead-up to the birth of their first child, Harry and Meghan announced they wanted to keep details around the birth private.