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 Meghan gave birth in the early hours of Monday morning to the
boy, the seventh-in-line to the British throne, leaving his
father, Queen Elizabeth's grandson, and royal fans across the
world enthralled.
"We couldn't be more delighted at the news and we're looking
forward to meeting the baby when we return," Prince Charles, the
baby's grandfather and heir-to-the-throne, said to well-wishers
while on a trip to Berlin.
Harry's elder brother Prince William and his wife Kate said they
were absolutely thrilled at the news.
"I'm very pleased and glad to welcome my own brother to the
sleep deprivation society that is parenting," he said. "I hope
the next few days they can settle down and enjoy having a
newborn in their family and all the joys that come with that."
Kate added: "As William said, we're looking forward to meeting
him and find out what his name's going to be so it's really
exciting for both of them."
So far, Harry and his aides have merely confirmed the boy
weighed 7 lb 3oz (3.26 kg) and that Meghan and the couple's
first child were both healthy and well.
"I am so incredibly proud of my wife and, as every father and
parent would ever say your baby is absolutely amazing, this
little thing is absolutely to die for," Harry said on Monday.
Few details about the birth have been released by Buckingham
Palace with the announcement itself a mix of traditional and
modernity which many say the baby himself represents, being the
first mixed race child to be born into a senior position in
British royalty in recent history.
The news was relayed on a ceremonial easel outside the palace
after "It's a Boy!" was trumpeted on the couple's Instagram
account, attracting more than 2.6 million "likes".
It was not clear whether the birth took place at the couple's
home, Frogmore Cottage on the estate of Windsor Castle where
they married in a lavish ceremony in May last year, or if Meghan
had been rushed to a London hospital as a number of British
newspapers reported.
CONGRATULATIONS FLOOD IN
Celebrities and world leaders were among those to send messages,
a reflection of the star status of Harry, 34, and former U.S.
actress Meghan, 37.
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"Congratulations, Meghan and Harry! Barack and I are so thrilled
for both of you and can't wait to meet him," former U.S. First
Lady Michelle Obama said on Twitter.
Harry and Meghan decided to eschew the recent royal tradition of
posing for photographs with their new baby hours after the
birth, leaving the world's media and royal fans waiting for a
first glimpse of the boy who is entitled to both British and
American citizenship.
It is expected that the couple will hold a limited photo call on
Wednesday to show off their son.
"We're still thinking about names," Harry said. "The baby's a
little bit overdue so we've had a little bit of time to think
about it ... that's the next bit."
Bookmakers have James, Alexander, Albert, Philip, and Arthur as
the favorite names, although other suggestions include Spencer,
which was the surname of Harry's late mother Princess Diana.
The baby, the eighth great-grandchild of 93-year-old Elizabeth,
the world's longest-reigning monarch, will not automatically be
a prince or a princess or be known as "His Royal Highness"
unless the queen issues a decree.
However, when Elizabeth is succeeded by Prince Charles, royal
rules mean the boy would then have such titles.
"It is possible that Harry might want his child not to have the
burden of a royal title but I think the rest of the world would
like the child to have (one)," said Ingrid Seward, editor of
"Majesty" magazine.
"Harry always says how much he didn't want to be a prince and
he'd rather be almost anything else but when you're in that
world it's very difficult to step out of it."
(Writing by Michael Holden; editing by Guy Faulconbridge and
Alexandra Hudson)
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