And just like that, they became a family of five. Prince William and Kate Middleton have welcomed their third child into the world together, a boy, who joins his two older siblings, George (4) and Charlotte (2).
According to the official Kensington Palace Twitter account, Kate was admitted to St. Mary's Hospital in London "earlier this morning in the early stages of labour." They added, "The Duchess travelled by car from Kensington Palace to the Lindo Wing at St. Mary’s Hospital with The Duke of Cambridge."
A photo showed media outlets surrounding St. Mary's as they eagerly waited for the news of the third royal baby's birth.
Then, the big baby news had finally arrived. Kate gave birth to a baby boy, weighing in at 8lbs 7oz., and both mother and child are doing well. Kensington Palace also noted that the rest of the Royal Family had been notified of the newest little Prince's arrival, tweeting, "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."
The baby's name is expected to be announced soon. And according to PEOPLE, British oddsmakers say that the most popular names for a boy at the moment are Albert and Arthur.
PEOPLE also reports that the baby's older brother, Prince George, was at school when his new sibling was born, while big sister Princess Charlotte was at home.
Royal protocol dictates that an official announcement containing the full details of the baby's birth will be displayed in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace, just as it was following the arrival of George and Charlotte. And while Kate's parents and William's father, Prince Charles, are expected to see the baby before Kate and William leave St. Mary's, the Queen will visit her newest great grandson when he is taken home to Kensington Palace.
The newest royal baby -- or newest little ring-bearer? -- has arrived just a few weeks before another big Royal event takes place: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.
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