Royals

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have named their first born son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

After much speculation, the couple announced the news on their Sussex Royal Instagram account after revealing the new addition had met The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

The caption read: "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are pleased to announce they have named their first born child: Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

"This afternoon Their Royal Highnesses introduced Her Majesty The Queen to her eighth great-grandchild at Windsor Castle. The Duke of Edinburgh and The Duchess’ mother were also present for this special occasion."

Prince Harry, 34, has said being a parent is "amazing" after spending his first few nights with his newborn son, who was born at 5.20 am on Monday 6th May.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex gave the first glimpse of their new baby during a photo call in St. George's Hall at Windsor Palace on Wednesday.

The baby, who is seventh in line to the throne, laid peacefully in Harry's arms while Meghan looked on adoringly at their "bundle of joy".

"It's great. Parenting is amazing," Harry told reporters. "It's only been two and a half days, three days, but we're just so thrilled to have our own little bundle of joy."

The photo call marks the first time the Duchess of Sussex, 37, has been seen since she retired from the public eye six weeks ago.

Read more: Prince Harry and Duchess of Sussex could break tradition with royal baby name

A beaming Prince Harry, 34, and Meghan, 37, introduced their newborn son during a photo call from St.George's Hall at Windsor Castle, after welcoming him into the world at 5.20 am on Monday May 6th.

This is the first time the Duchess of Sussex has been seen since she retired from the public eye six weeks ago.

Meghan, who looked radiant wearing a white sleeveless dress with her hair loosely curled, said: "I have the best two guys in the world," as she gushed over her family.

The baby boy, who is seventh in line to the throne, rested peacefully in his father's arms while proud mother Meghan was visibly overjoyed by the new arrival.

Read more: Prince Harry praises wife after announcing the birth of a baby boy

Speculation surrounding what the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will call their child is reaching fever pitch with many wondering whether the couple will opt for a traditional or more contemporary name.

An elated Prince Harry, 34, revealed on Monday that he and wife Meghan Markle, 37, are still deciding on names ahead of their first photo call as a family in two days time.

The couple's first-born, currently nicknamed Baby Sussex, is not a future monarch and it's believed he won't be a HRH as he is currently too far down the line of succession at seventh in line to the throne.

With Meghan being American, she could could opt for a less traditional name, and wrote in her former blog The Tig that she was a fan of the name Grey - which works for both a boy and a girl.

If Prince Harry and Meghan did opt for a non-traditional name, they wouldn't be the first in the royal family to do so.

Canadian-born Autumn Phillips and the Queen’s grandson Peter Phillips chose a non-traditional name for their first child Savannah – the monarch’s first great-grandchild – in 2010.

Princess Charlotte’s fourth birthday has been marked by the release of three pictures taken by the Duchess of Cambridge at Kensington Palace and her Norfolk home of Anmer Hall.

Our young royal is growing up fast!

The princess is pictured smiling in a summer dress as she sits crossed legged on a patch of grass at Kensington Palace.

The Queen’s great-granddaughter is also pictured at Anmer Hall running as she holds a flower and also sitting on a fence beaming at the camera.

6TH MAY 2019 UPDATE: The Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle has given birth to a baby boy, it has been announced.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex was safely delivered of a son at 0526hrs. The baby weighs 7lbs 3oz. The Duke of Sussex was present for the birth."

Speaking from Windsor, a beaming Prince Harry said the pair were 'absolutely thrilled' to welcome their first child, who is seventh-in-line to the throne, and thanked the public for 'all their love and support'.

"I'm very excited that Meghan and myself had a baby boy early this morning, a very healthy boy," he said.

"Mother and baby are doing incredibly well. It's been the most amazing experience I could ever possibly imagine.

"I can't possibly imagine how any woman does what they do, what they do is beyond comprehension, but we are both absolutely thrilled and so grateful for all the love and support from everybody out there.

"It's been amazing, we just wanted to share this with everybody."

When asked about possible baby names, Harry replied: "Still thinking about names. The baby is a little bit over due so we've had a little time to think about it.

"That's the next bit, but for us, we will seeing you guys in two days time as planned as a family to be able to share with it you guys, so everybody can see the baby.

"I haven't been at many births, this is definitely my first birth but it was amazing, absolutely incredible.

"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."

On Monday afternoon, Buckingham Palace released a statement announcing the Duchess had gone into labour in the early hours of this morning.

The royal arrival was announced a short time later via the Sussex Royal Instagram page.

"We are pleased to announce that Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their firstborn child in the early morning on May 6th, 2019. Their Royal Highnesses’ son weighs 7lbs. 3oz.

"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."

The post announcing the happy news garnered almost one million likes in less than an hour.

A statement from the palace said 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'.

It added that the Duchess's mother Doria Ragland was with the couple at Frogmore Cottage and 'is overjoyed by the arrival of her first grandchild'.

The country celebrates

Theresa May tweeted her congratulations to the new family: "Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the arrival of their baby boy. Wishing you all the best at this happy time."

Jeremy Corbyn also tweeted: "Congratulations to Meghan and Harry on the birth of their baby. I hope they're all doing well. #royalbaby"

Crowds have gathered in front of Windsor Castle to celebrate the arrival of the royal baby, with many well-wishers dressing up, singing and dancing, all while eagerly anticipating the first appearance of the Duchess and her newborn.

While announcing the birth of a royal baby on Instagram is fitting for the era of social media, but this hasn't stopped some centuries-old royal traditions from being carried out.

Official town crier Chris Brown has announced the birth, clad in a traditional outfit.

An easel has been placed outside Buckingham Palace, displaying the birth time, weight and gender of the baby.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have shared three new photographs of Prince Louis on his first birthday.

The photos were taken earlier this month by The Duchess at their home in Norfolk.

‘Tis the most wonderful, expensive and luxurious time of the year. As Christmas approaches, millions of families will be preparing vegetables, turkeys and presents ahead of the big day.

On the most festive of occasions, the nation always turns to one family (or maybe two if you count the drama on the cobbles). The royal family have preserved many of their traditions to keep the Victorian festive spirit alive.

Grant Harrold is a former royal butler. He served in the royal households for seven years from 2004. An expert in etiquette, he knows exactly how to have a royal-esque Christmas with all the trimmings - and shared the details with GMB.