It’s a boy! Prince Harry, Meghan welcome their first child

The child is seventh-in-line to the British throne

LONDON: Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex and wife of Britain's Prince Harry, gave birth to a boy on Monday, the seventh-in-line to the throne and described by his proud father as "absolutely to die for".

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxH36irhwcO/

The baby, who has not yet been named, was born in the early hours of the morning weighing 7 lbs 3oz (3.2 kg). Both Meghan and the baby, the couple's first child, were both healthy and well, the palace said.

"How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension but
we're both absolutely thrilled and so grateful to all the lovely
support from everybody out there," a smiling Harry told
reporters in Windsor, west of London where the couple live.

"It was amazing, absolutely incredible. As I say, I am so
incredibly proud of my wife and, as every father and parent
would ever say your baby is absolutely amazing, this little baby
is absolutely to die for."



Harry, Queen Elizabeth's grandson, was present for the birth
and Doria Ragland, Meghan's mother, was also with the couple at
their home, Frogmore Cottage, on the estate of Windsor Castle
where they married in May last year.

The queen and other members of the royal family were
delighted by the news, the palace said. Prime Minister Theresa May sent congratulations.

Prince Harry spoke to the press just after the #royalbaby's birth: "It’s been the most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined." https://t.co/bMe4g0v3EK pic.twitter.com/oiEFASpR3j

— CNN (@CNN) May 6, 2019

"Wishing you all the best at this happy time," she told the royal couple on Twitter. The baby is the eighth great grandchild of the 93-year-old queen, the world's longest-reigning monarch, and could be entitled to hold joint British and American citizenship according to nationality rules.

Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the arrival of their baby boy. Wishing you all the best at this happy time.

— Theresa May (@theresa_may) May 6, 2019

However, the child will not automatically be a prince or a princess and any such title would have to be bestowed by the queen by issuing what is known as a letter patent.

'It's a baby boy! Congratulations Harry and Meghan'

The BT Tower in London lights up with a special message in honour of the #RoyalBaby

Follow all the latest updates here: https://t.co/t7Xx01Jadu pic.twitter.com/7Z9fgwiVa8

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) May 6, 2019

Albert, Philip, Arthur and James are the favourite names for
the child, according to bookmakers. Britain's royal family attracts huge media interest but the younger members, especially Harry, 34, and Meghan, 37, a US-born former actress, are treated like Hollywood superstars.

'MODERN MONARCHY'

Unlike Harry's brother Prince William and his wife Kate, who posed for massed photographers outside a London hospital just hours after their three children were born, Harry and Meghan are expected to take part in only a limited photo call in the grounds of Windsor Castle, within a few days of the birth.



For some the child's birth will represent a significant
moment for the monarchy, becoming the first mixed race baby born
into a senior position in British royalty, according to royal
experts.

"It's symbolic of a more modern monarchy. It appeals to
people across the world," royal biographer Claudia Joseph told
Reuters.

"They will be able to identify with the royal family as
never before."

Just in: Meghan Markle is now in labor! @KeirSimmons has the latest #royalbaby update. pic.twitter.com/h6JHxy0ztC

— 3rd Hour of TODAY (@3rdHourTODAY) May 6, 2019

Others note however that Meghan, whose mother is
African-American and father is white, has been the target of
racist commentary on social media