family as george and charlotte stop this little boy is not automatically entitled to the style his royal highness. he will not automatically be designated as a prince. it will be designated as a prince. it will be up to the queen to sort of change the rules because... are not going to too much detail, but that is the way it has. an exception had to be made so that william's son would be prince george, his royal highness and judge. it all comes together and reminds of harry and meghan that they are not as centrally important to the constitutional future of this country as william and kate. that gives them greater latitude and they will take advantage of that and expect people to be just sort of understanding and to give them greater space and they will, we can be sure, insist upon it. i wonder what they will learn a take from the experience of william and kate. i'm struck by the fact that it is the duchess who takes the family

photos, charlotte's birthday, for example. i don't know whether meghan is an enthusiast with the camera. there will be no shortage of volu nteers there will be no shortage of volunteers and photographers to come in. i'm sure like any doting parents they will be taking snapshots madly at the moment and will perhaps be releasing some of those. we can expect some official photocall in the next couple of days. but it will be on their terms. this is a bbc news special programme. it's a boy. the duchess of sussex has given birth. the duchess went into labour in the early hours of this morning. the baby weighs 7 lb 3 oz, and mother and baby are both doing well. mother and baby are both doing well. mother and baby are doing incredibly well. it has been the most amazing

experience i could ever have possibly imagined. how any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension, but we are both absolutely thrilled. the baby boy will be seventh in line to the throne and the queen and the duke of edinburgh's eighth great—grandchild. bt tower announced, it's a boy, congratulations, harry and meghan. the prime minister has tweeted, congratulations to the duke and duchess of sussex on the arrival of their baby boy. wishing you all the best at this happy time. and crowds are gathering outside buckingham palace where the official announcement of the birth will be made.

welcome to windsor. welcome to this bbc news special programme as news emerges of the birth of the duke and duchess of sussex's baby boy. born in the early hours of this morning, a few days overdue. his delighted father, prince harry, announcing to the media the news that the baby had arrived safely, that the mother was doing incredibly well, and that he was incredibly proud and absolutely in all of her, he said. he was born at 0526 this morning. the news has been passed to the proud great—grandparents, been passed to the proud great—grandpa rents, the been passed to the proud great—grandparents, the queen and duke of edinburgh. this baby boy is their eighth great—grandchild, also to the prince of wales, the duchess

of cornwall, to prince william, and to catherine the duchess of cambridge will stop all are said to be absolutely delighted with the news of the bb‘s safe arrival. the duke of sussex's son will be seventh in line to the throne. let's take you through the details we know so far about the birth. the baby was born in the early hours of this morning at 0526. an announcement camea morning at 0526. an announcement came a little earlier this morning from buckingham palace that meghan, duchess of sussex, had gone into labour. and then a short time later the news in fact that a baby boy had been born. that second piece of news following on swiftly from the news that she had gone into labour this morning. we know that the baby weighs 7 lb 3 oz. he will be seventh

in line to the throne, and that he has the queen's eighth great—grandchild. we don't know yet what the baby's name will be. that might come in a couple of days. the prince said earlier that as the baby was a few days overdue he and meghan had had quite a bit of time to consider names, but they would be making that announcement in due course. he was delighted, it was as plain as could be to anyone watching him announce the news earlier. i'm very excited to announce that meghan and myself had a baby boy early this morning. a very healthy boy. mother and baby are doing incredibly well. it's been the most amazing experience i could ever have possibly imagined. how any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension. but we're both absolutely thrilled. and so grateful to all

the love and support from everybody out there. from everybody out there. it's been amazing. so we just wanted to share this with everybody. what about names? are you still thinking about names? still thinking about names, alan. the baby is a little bit overdue, so we've had a little bit of time to think about it. but yeah, that's the next bit. but for us, i think we'll be seeing you guys in probably two days' time, as a family to be able to share it with you guys and so everyone can see the baby. well, you can't stop smiling. it must have been amazing. i suppose every birth is amazing, but for your own child it must be... i haven't been at many births. this is definitely my first birth. it was amazing. absolutely incredible. as i said, i'm so incredibly proud of my wife. and as every father and parent would ever say, your baby is absolutely amazing. but this little thing is absolutely to die for. so i'm just over the moon. thank you very much, guys.

we arejust we are just hearing we arejust hearing in we are just hearing in the last few seconds a short statement from thomas markle, the duchess of sussex's father, who said he is absolutely delighted at the birth of his grandson. he is saying here sure his grandson. he is saying here sure his grandson. he is saying here sure his grandson will grow up to serve the crown and the people of britain with grace, dignity and honour. that from the duchess of sussex's father, thomas markle. we know that her mother, doria ragland, is with the new pa rents mother, doria ragland, is with the new parents at frogmore cottage at their home, where we have not had it confirmed but where it seems to be the suggestion that the baby was born ina the suggestion that the baby was born in a home birth. that was something that the duchess was said to be hoping for. and doria ragland, her mother, also naturally absolutely delighted by the news, it is understood she will be staying with the couple at frogmore cottage

to help them in the early days and weeks with their new arrival. a huge amount of interest here, lots of speculation over the last week as eve ryo ne speculation over the last week as everyone figured out the duchess was overdue. she had said on a visit to birkenhead earlier this year that the baby was due at the end of april, early may, but news emerged that her mother had flown in from the united states. it didn't take a genius to work out that the baby was imminent, and of course people are here on a bank holiday. it is not a bad day. not raining. lots of people visiting windsor in the hope that maybe while they were hear this news would emerge, and it is creating quite a buzz around the town. our correspondence has been at the castle gates and catching up with people they are. windsor is getting busy with people

coming up to us asking whether they have had a boy or a girl. we now know they have had a baby boy. there was a group of people a few moments ago on hearing the news that the baby had been born erupted in applause. just a bit further down from where we are, a lot of people are now gathering. there is a corner not too far away from me just off the main street which is where some of the royal fans tend to gather. over the past couple of days somebody rather prematurely put a couple of banners that they are, one saying congratulations on the birth of your baby girl, the other one, congratulations on the birth of your baby boy. assuming they will now ta ke baby boy. assuming they will now take one of those down. there is a huge amount of interest here. it is nearly a year since the couple married in the chapeljust through those gates at windsor castle in

front of 600 guests, so windsor once again the centre of attention here this afternoon. but in the run—up to this afternoon. but in the run—up to this the media have been here, not just from this country, but this has attracted global interest. there is attracted global interest. there is a balcony at our hoteljust across from where we are, with an american network broadcasting. there are media companies from europe, and there has been a lot of speculation as to when the baby would arrive. it got to the point where the media we re got to the point where the media were interviewing themselves because they were simply waiting for this news. we now know the duke and duchess have had a baby boy. 7 lb 3 oz. duchess have had a baby boy. 7 lb 3 oz. you heard from prince harry they have not decided on a name yet. we should hear in the next couple of

days. we expect to get the first photograph of the baby. we don't know yet and it hasn't been confirmed as to whether meghan had her baby at frogmore cottage. frogmore cottage is where the couple moved into fairly recently. it has been renovated. meghan wanted ideally to have her baby delivered at home. we have not had it confirmed officially as to whether she had to go into hospital or managed to have her wish and have the baby at frogmore cottage. prince harry was speaking outside of the cottage absolutely beaming at the news that he is now a father of a baby boy. helena, you referred to the fact this is of interest to not just brits. when you look at the streets you can see the union flag, the stars & stripes. when i was

there for the wedding last year i was talking to australians who had camped out all night. many other nationalities. it is a global event, it isa nationalities. it is a global event, it is a celebrity event. there is a lot to be managed. yes, don't forget this as a young couple. the americans are hugely interested not just in the family, but meghan markle, an american, a former actress, they have that star quality asa actress, they have that star quality as a couple. what's been interesting, going back to the wedding, there were a lot of people camped out outside the castle four daysin camped out outside the castle four days in the run—up to the wedding, hoping to get a glimpse of the couple. they did when the couple after the ceremony in the chapel they went down the long walk in a carriage. what's been different this time round, probably to do with the

fa ct time round, probably to do with the fact that prince harry and meghan have wa nted fact that prince harry and meghan have wanted to keep things as private as possible. it was about a month ago the couple put out on their instagram page a statement saying that they wanted to keep the plans of the birth of their baby private. but that they would be celebrating, once they had celebrated they would make the announcement. what we haven't seen in the run—up to the birth is people camping out. but there is definitely a huge amount of interest. lots of people gathering at windsor on hearing the news. that was helena talking to us earlier. with me in windsor is the royal editor at a lo! magazine. this happened quickly, the announcement

on twitter that meghan had gone into labour and shortly thereafter the announcement of the birth. that's right. we understand the team at the palace were made aware that the duchess were in labour but they weren't expecting things to turn around quite as quickly either. even though we have been waiting for quite some time, harry himself said it was overdue by a few days. the announcement came quite quickly after everyone started to assemble. the fact that prince harry himself came out and announced this news when the family had indicated they would be keeping things private for a couple of days is a measure of how overjoyed and excited he is. it's a real sign of elation for any new pa rents to get real sign of elation for any new parents to get as high from holding your child for the first time. it is something he has wanted for such a long time. and seeing him finally realise his dream, it is just wonderfulfor anyone

realise his dream, it is just wonderful for anyone seeing a new father. harry in particular. a lot of us feel slightly protective of him because of the tragedy he has had to overcome in his life. it is a wonderful, joyful moment. this is a baby born into that heady mix of royalty in showbiz. they will be trying to keep things private if they can. i think so. they have enormous global star power right now. naturally there is huge interest particularly from america, who are claiming this child is one of their own in many ways. they will wa nt to of their own in many ways. they will want to step back and have some private time as a family. how do you think the media will respond? the royals have had their altercations with the media, both abroad and at home. trying to carve out a way in which the media can be satisfied, but they can have a private life as well. how do you think that will

unfold? everyone will be respectful of the boundaries they have put in place. the child is seventh in line to the throne. he is not likely to become a king or even a working member of the royal family. so they can member of the royal family. so they ca n afford member of the royal family. so they can afford to bring him up in more privacy and freedom than the cambridges' children, for example. one of the most famous couples in the world, there will be massive interest in this baby. there is huge interest, but we know that harry is incredibly protective. you put out that unprecedented statement defending her back when the relationship was first made public. and i think you will extend that to his son as well. lots of speculation now as people wait to see the three of them as a family. those first images about what this baby might be called. what are your thoughts? very good question. the bookies are going crazy for lots of traditional names,

arthur, alexander, james. it would be lovely if they included charles or even philip perhaps as a nod to the royal ancestry. they might also go for something fairly modern and american, which would be fun and refreshing. and reflective of the wedding ceremony. that's right. the wedding ceremony. that's right. the wedding ceremony. that's right. the wedding ceremony was about embracing both cultures, american and british, and bringing together this ancient institution with this modern, successful young hollywood star. it would be perfectly fitting for them to go for a combination. in the last while we have had that short statement from the duchess's father, thomas markle, saying he is delighted at the birth of his grandson, he is sure his grandson will grow up to give the people of britain and a ground service with grace, dignity and honour. but of

course that's a difficult relationship between the duchess and her father. nonetheless relationship between the duchess and herfather. nonetheless he is clearly delighted. that's right. yes several grandchildren already, nonetheless this will be an exciting moment for him. i can't really comment on their relationship at all. i think the arrival of a new babyis all. i think the arrival of a new baby is a happy moment for everyone involved, so we can hope this may help to bring them back together.- you think the duke and duchess will look to how prince george, princess charlotte and prince louis are being brought up and how their parents manage the interest and publicity?” think the duke and duchess of cambridge have set a great example in the way they present their children, by releasing photographs and occasionally bringing them on tour and to royal engagements, to give the public a little glimpse into their lives. away from that they have plenty of privacy. in norfolk and behind the walls at

kensington palace. harry and meghan may be different, we have heard about them may be going to live overseas for periods of time, in which case the child may be more visible, it will be fascinating to find out. thank you, emily, royal editor at hello. at their wedding they took the carriage rides down among the huge crowds, and now, just short of that first wedding anniversary, the arrival of their first child. our royal correspondent looks back at what has been a whirlwind year for the couple.

here they were less than a year ago in one of the most watched events of 2018. their fans around the world are awaiting the first glimpse of their child, the latest addition to their child, the latest addition to the royal family. the couple announced their engagement in november 2017. in the bbc interview which followed prince harry made clear his desire to start a family. children? plans? not currently. i think one step at a time. and hopefully will start a family in the near future. five months after their wedding, on the day their first royal tour began. the announcement came from kensington palace that the couple were expecting. it added an extra level of excitement to an already much anticipated tour of australia and the pacific region. what followed was months of the media obsessing about meghan and her burgeoning bum. that obsession was

catching. throughout her pregnancy she kept a full diary of engagements, usually carried out in sky—high stilettos. in february she faced criticism in the british press for jetting off faced criticism in the british press forjetting off to new york faced criticism in the british press for jetting off to new york for a costly baby shower organised by celebrity friends. one month later and shortly after this engagement, her maternity leave began. although palace aides stressed she would still be holding work—related meetings in private. this was how harry was introduced to the world 35 yea rs harry was introduced to the world 35 years ago. on the steps of a private wing of st mary's hospital. just as prince william had been and then william's children. but as well as avoiding the london hospital photocall, harry and meghan have said they want time to celebrate privately as a new family, so the public will have to wait for the first pictures of the child who is

seventh in line to the throne. meghan's birth in los angeles didn't make global headlines, but her ba by‘s make global headlines, but her baby's will. no doubt how difficult relationship with her father, thomas, the baby was my grandfather, will again be subject to public scrutiny. meghan's mother, who remains close to her only daughter despite living in california, is also expected to spend more of her time in the uk. this is where baby sussex will call home. frogmore cottage has undergone a multi—million pound refit. tucked away in the heart of windsor castle's private estate, it will allow meghan and harry to get used to parenthood well away from public view. let's ta ke let's take a look at buckingham palace where we are expecting the traditional announcement where an announcement is placed on an easel

just close to the railings there around the palace. so that crowds gathered there can see that announcement. we expect that announcement. we expect that announcement in the next short while. but let me talk to royal historian and editor of the crown chronicles, victoria howard who joins us from leeds. this may is seventh in line to the throne. i guess you will have more freedom, but there will be expectation because he is the child of prince harry, a very prominent royal. absolutely, however, we will see this baby boy, they are department, he will take more of a role like princess beatrice, they work, but they do have titles. i think we can expect quite a normal life for this

young royal. he won't be a prince, of course, unless the queen intervenes on that matter, but what title would he have. it will be prince harry's secondary title, he is the duke of sussex, the secondary title as they are dumbarton, which isa title as they are dumbarton, which is a scottish title, that is the one his son carry. perhaps there will be a nod to that with a visit to scotla nd a nod to that with a visit to scotland at some point for this new baby. obviously all the focus now is in seeing those first images of the three of them as a family. how do you think they are going to manage huge desire for images of the baby with their desire also to give this child and themselves as new parents a private family life. the official photos will be taken on the grounds of windsor castle, it will literally

just be harry, meghan, baby, and photographer. that instantly puts them at ease. there is far less press there and that was for prince louis, william and kate when they came out of hospital. they have managed that with their instagram account. they are looking at frogmore cottage which is on the grounds of windsor castle, which gives them enormous privacy. by staying behind the walls, they are aware that people are interested in learning about their baby, sol think they will use their instagram page for more personal snaps. we've seena page for more personal snaps. we've seen a few recently that meghan appears to have posted with the way the captions are written. for example using the american word diapers instead of nappies. i think they will use that channel quite productively and helping people to see into the newborn's life, but in a way that they can control. thanks,

victoria. yes, frogmore cottage rapidly becoming a really special place for this couple. now the home that they will bring up their baby son in. it was where they are very lovely engagement photographs were taken. and where their wedding reception was held, and which will afford them a good deal of privacy in these early days, weeks and months ahead. the dutch as's mother, doria ragland had been staying there with the couple since she arrived from the united states over a week ago in preparation for the imminent arrival of her first grandchild. and she is there with the couple and we'll be giving them the benefit of her knowledge as a mother in the days and weeks ahead. we are expecting the official announcement,

that traditional announcement where the news of the birth is placed on an easel in the forecourt of buckingham palace, but let's cross to my colleague lucy he was there. use a spreading of the birth. are people watching with interest? indeed, news is spreading like wildfire. it seems that every time i turn around there are more people gathered. many of them waiting for that moment, because moments like this are full of ritual, and it will be that moment when a framed notice of the birth is put on a ceremonial easel and placed on the forecourt of buckingham palace. we will have that formal moment coming up soon, and more and more people are gathering. asi more and more people are gathering. as i was walking on my way here i talked to many people who were coming here to celebrate and take pa rt coming here to celebrate and take part in this growing atmosphere that seems to be building outside

buckingham palace. ialso seems to be building outside buckingham palace. i also mentioned to do policeman if they had heard the news, they said the bookies had got it wrong, they thought it would bea girl, got it wrong, they thought it would be a girl, and so did the policeman. a bit of surprise that we are celebrating the arrival of a baby boy. we had some official announcement, social media alight with messages coming in from all over the world, but we have seen public figures here in the uk taking to social media to give their response. let's assure you if you a few tweets we've had in the past hour. the prime minister tweeting, saying congratulations to the duke and duchess on arrival of their baby boy. the leader of the opposition give his congratulations. he adds that he hopes that harry, meghan and the baby are doing well, and also the baby are doing well, and also the scottish first minister adding that the birth of a baby is a joyful

occasion. which i think everyone here can agree on. if you are a tourist in london, everyone comes to buckingham palace, and now there is this news that everyone is talking about as well. with me are esther and selena who have come all the way from germany. you were here when the news was announced. what's your reaction? we are happy and excited to be part of this. we came because we wanted to see buckingham palace, then many people came up, and we watched. more and more people, and we thought, what is going on? where you waiting for the birth? was it something you are interested in before today? ijust something you are interested in before today? i just asked today, what is with the baby? is their interest in germany in meghan and harry? yes, i think the whole world loves them. we know meghan from

suits. and we love the sitcom, or what do you call it. i think they bring a new spirit to england, to everyone here. and prince harry, he was looking so thrilled when he came out to announce that he had had a baby boy. yes, i think he is a pretty nice man, lovely man. he supports his woman, and we couldn't wish for more. what do you like about harry? it is really nice how he appreciates it, and how they build together a little family, it is really nice to see. what do you think lies ahead for this royal baby? i don't know if he has the same life as his cousins, are... i don't know. it is maybe a little bit more quiet, but i think he has loved as well as the other ones. be the yeah, i think so. but he will

have such good