Kate and William welcome a baby boy
The British are well known for both their hugely popular tabloids and a love of all things royal, so the birth of a future king was always going to get the headline writers attempting to outdo each other on the front pages.
The pick of the bunch today is probably The Daily Mail. It runs a large picture of Prince Charles looking particularly pleased with himself – arms outstretched – alongside the headline: “Oh boy! One’s a grandpa”.
After the Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to a healthy baby boy on Monday afternoon, her husband’s father issued a statement saying he was “overjoyed”.
“I am enormously proud and happy to be a grandfather for the first time and we are eagerly looking forward to seeing the baby in the near future,” the Prince of Wales said.
The Sun replaced its regular masthead with “The Son”, which was simple and effective.
Underneath was a full-page photo of the medical bulletin detailing the baby’s birth which was displayed on an easel in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.
The Daily Mirror ran a picture of Prince William hugging Kate with the headline: “Our Little Prince”.
The Daily Star, The Daily Express and The Daily Telegraph all went with the safe but accurate: “It’s a boy”. Interestingly all three papers also ran pictures of Kate holding a bunch of flowers.
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The Times had a souvenir wrap-around with the words: “Welcome to the World”.
Left-leaning The Guardian decided more words was better. “A birth, a boy, a prince, a king,” it exclaimed on its front page with a photo of the birth notice being put on the very same easel used to announce Prince William’s arrival in 1982.
The Independent tried to have a bet each way with a critical front page stating: “Special Delivery: Princess Gives Birth to a Prince – and a Global Media Frenzy Begins”.
The baby, who is now third in line to the British throne, was born at 4.24pm London time and weighed 8lbs 6oz (3798g), but the announcement was not made until four hours later.
Prince William expressed his joy in a statement, saying: “We could not be happier.”
The birth announcement was made via press release and Twitter, with a formal notice also posted on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace to the cheers of thousands of spectators outside the gates.
Member of the crow popped corks, cheered and strained to glimpse the notice, which was placed on a golden easel.
“We just wanted to mark the birth in our own way,” said Itsuki Kuroda, a Japanese man living in London, who came to get pictures of himself and his wife Kenta with their two-year-old daughter Akari, who was dressed in the red, white and blue of the Union Jack.
“This boy’s going to be king one day – it’s historic!” Kenta said.
Camera flashes lit up the evening scene outside the Queen’s official residence as dozens of people tried to immortalise the moment it was announced that the third in line to the British throne had been born.
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The crowds pressed against the iron gates of Buckingham Palace and spilled onto the steps of the huge statues of Queen Victoria and other monarchs in the plaza in front of the vast building.
Cheers went up outside the palace the minute the announcement came, as they did at the central London hospital where the baby was born and where more well-wishers gathered along with hundreds of international media.
“We are delighted to be here, it’s a very good feeling and a great atmosphere,” said Sylvie Beaver, a 28-year-old from London who was outside the palace with her boyfriend.
London’s landmarks also joined in the celebrations. The London Eye, a huge wheel with viewing pods that towers above the capital, was lit up in red, white and blue, while the BT Tower carried the message “It’s a boy” on huge digital screens.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said all Australians would share the royal family’s joy on the arrival of the baby.
“On behalf of all Australians, Therese and I extend our warmest regards to the new parents, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge,” he said in a statement.
“We share in the joy of the Royal Family, particularly Prince Charles on the birth of his grandson and Queen Elizabeth II on the birth of her great-grandchild.”
Mr Rudd said Prince William held a special place in the hearts of many Australians, given his first visit down under as a baby himself.
“In more recent times, Prince William demonstrated deep compassion when he met with families in Victoria who had lost everything during the Black Saturday bushfires of February 2009,” Mr Rudd said.
Governor-General Quentin Bryce has also sent Australia’s congratulations to the royal family on the birth of the new prince.
“The birth of a baby is an experience to celebrate and cherish,” Ms Bryce said in a statement.
“On behalf of all Australians, I send heartfelt congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on this joyful occasion.
“We wish the new parents every happyiness and send warm greetings of welcome to the little prince.”
The Australian Republican Movement sent its best wishes to the people of the United Kingdom on the birth of “their future monarch”.
“We look forward to a future day when an Australian Head of State can stand beside the British monarch as friends and equals, cheering for our team just as the British Head of State cheers for the British team, in friendly rivalry,” national director David Morris said.
