Royal baby boy: weighing 7lb 3oz and born at 5.26am - here's everything we know about Harry and Meghan’s first child

The Duchess of Sussex has given birth to a 7lb 3oz baby boy, the Duke has confirmed.

Speaking from Windsor, the Duke said: "I'm very excited to announce  that Meghan and myself had a baby boy this morning, a very healthy baby boy."

Asked what it was like to be present for the birth, he laughed and said: "I haven't been at many births. This is definitely my first birth. It was amazing, absolutely incredible, and, as I said, I'm so incredibly proud of my wife.

"As every father and parent will ever say, you know, your baby is absolutely amazing, but this little thing is absolutely to-die-for, so I'm just over the moon."

The baby was born at 5.26am. Crowds gathered outside Windsor Castle during the afternoon to wish the couple well.

Hundreds on onlookers watched from outside of Buckingham Palace's gates as the bulletin announcing the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's son was unveiled.

The framed message was placed in the forecourt of the palace for well-wishers to read.

Brought out just after 4.45pm from the Privy Purse Door, the announcement read: "The Queen and the Royal Family are delighted at the news that Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex was safely delivered of a son at 0526am today.

"Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well."

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced the pregnancy in October, five months after their fairytale wedding at Windsor Castle, ahead of an Autumn tour to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga, where they were immediately showered with baby gifts.

The pregnancy has marked somewhat of a break with previous royal tradition, with Meghan flying to New York to host a baby shower at one of Manhattan's most lavish hotels, while fans donated thousands of pounds for the Duchess's favourite charities in a generously modern show of support.

Here is everything we know about the Royal baby so far.

What will the royal baby be called?

There is much suspense as to what the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will call their baby.

The youngster has been born into the British Royal family, where tradition is an intrinsic part of the Windsors's lives. If they go classic, possibilities include Alice, Mary, Elizabeth or Victoria for a girl, and Philip, Frederick, Charles, Arthur, Edward or James for a boy.

Of course, the pair are also forward-thinking royals and the Duchess has her own American upbringing to draw on.

Canadian-born Autumn Phillips, and husband Peter Phillips, opted for a non-traditional name for their daughter Savannah - the Queen's first great-grandchild - in 2010.

In the US, the most popular name for a baby girl is Emma and Liam for a baby boy. In the UK, the most popular name for a girl born in 2017 was Olivia and, for a boy,  Oliver. In short, it's anyone's guess.

The couple are set to welcome their first baby in a matter of weeks - Credit: Karwai Tang/Getty Images
The couple are set to welcome their first baby in a matter of weeksCredit: Karwai Tang/Getty Images

Where will the baby fall in the line of succession?

Seventh in line, which means it's highly unlikely the child will ever be monarch.

The baby has three cousins: Prince George (a future king), Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis - all of whom are further up the line of succession. It is a safe bet that the throne will stay on the Cambridge side of the family.

The baby has bumped Harry's uncle, the Duke of York, into eighth place in the line of succession.

His daughters - Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie - move into ninth and 10th place. Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex - the Queen's youngest son, drops out of the top 10 for the first time to 11th in line.

What title will the new royal baby have?

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's baby will not be a prince or a princess unless the Queen steps in.

King George V - Harry's great-great-grandfather - limited titles within the Royal family in 1917. This means the couple's first born, as a great-grandchild of the sovereign, is too far down the line of succession to be an HRH.

George V declared that "the grandchildren of the sons of any such Sovereign in the direct male line (save only the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales) shall have and enjoy in all occasions the style and title enjoyed by the children of Dukes of these Our Realms".

The eldest son and heir apparent of a duke can use one of his father's lesser grade peerage titles by courtesy, according to Debrett's.

With this in mind, Harry's first son could become Earl of Dumbarton - one of the subsidiary titles Harry received from the Queen on the morning of his wedding. A daughter would be Lady (first name) Mountbatten-Windsor, and any subsequent sons Lord (first name) Mountbatten-Windsor.

Where was Baby Sussex born?

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex kept plans for the birth of their baby private.

The couple said they would be "celebrating privately as a new family" after the birth as a first priority, thereby deciding not undertake a Lindo Wing-style appearance to show their new arrival to the watching world.

While photographs of the baby will be taken in the following days, the family of three will not greet members of the public in the same way as the Cambridges and other members of the Royal family have done.

Instead, they are likely to follow in the footsteps of the Queen with hopes for a home birth, expected to be at their new home in Windsor.

In a statement issued by Buckingham Palace, a spokesman said: "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very grateful for the goodwill they have received from people throughout the United Kingdom and around the world as they prepare to welcome their baby.

"Their Royal Highnesses have taken a personal decision to keep the plans around the arrival of their baby private.

"The Duke and Duchess look forward to sharing the exciting news with everyone once they have had an opportunity to celebrate privately as a new family."

Harry and Meghan have indicated they will be "celebrating privately" following the birth of their first child - Credit: Karwai Tang/Getty Images
Harry and Meghan have indicated they will be "celebrating privately" following the birth of their first childCredit: Karwai Tang/Getty Images

Will the baby have dual citizenship?

The Duke and Duchess could apply for their child to have dual US-UK citizenship.

The Duchess is in the process of becoming a British citizen but it is not known whether she will hold dual nationality, and at present is still a US citizen.

According to the American Embassy in the UK, a child born outside of the US and in wedlock to a US citizen parent and a non US citizen parent, may acquire US citizenship at birth if the US parent lived in America for five years - two of which were after the age of 14.

The couple could apply for their child to hold dual UK-US citizenship - Credit: Mark Blinch/Reuters
The couple could apply for their child to hold dual UK-US citizenshipCredit: Mark Blinch/Reuters

Where will the family live?

The Duke and Duchess have now moved out of Kensington Palace and into their new home Frogmore Cottage.

The couple are settling into their new life away from London on the Windsor Estate, having carried out extensive £3 million renovations to the house. The Sussexes had lived at Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace since their engagement and following their wedding.

Work on the listed property in Berkshire - including changing it from staff apartments into one mansion - overran and it was reported that the couple made constant design changes, meaning the builders fell behind schedule. The duke and duchess, who will foot the bill for furnishings, are said to have hired former Soho House interior designer Vicky Charles to transform their new pad.

With this in mind, there have also been speculative reports that the royal couple are considering a major move to Africa which would enact an entirely unexpected upbringing for baby Sussex.

Since 2017 the couple have been living at Nottingham Cottage, in the grounds of Kensington Palace - Credit: SNOWDON/CAMERA PRESS
Since 2017 the couple have been living at Nottingham Cottage, in the grounds of Kensington PalaceCredit: SNOWDON/CAMERA PRESS

Will the Sussexes hire a nanny?

Most likely. Harry has been close to all his nannies and it is likely he and Meghan will arrange for a nanny to care for their baby while they are on official engagements.

Kate and William have the help of their full-time live-in nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo. Meghan's close friend Jessica Mulroney had two nannies to help her with her twin boys and younger daughter.

The couple will almost certainly call upon the help of Meghan's mother Doria Ragland who will no doubt make frequent visits to London from her Los Angeles home to visit her grandchild.

Read more about what it's really like to be a royal nanny here.

The couple are expected to hire a nanny as they carry out official engagements - Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
The couple are expected to hire a nanny as they carry out official engagementsCredit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

So who might be asked to be Baby Sussex's godparents?

Jessica Mulroney is expected to play an important part in the baby's life. She supported Meghan in the difficult days leading up to the wedding amid the turmoil caused by the absence of her father, Thomas Markle.

The duchess's close friend, Benita Litt runs her own brand agency and helps others to start businesses. Meghan has spent Christmas with the Litt family in the past. She is godmother to Mrs Litt's daughters, Rylan and Remi, and also chose them to be her bridesmaids.

Tennis champion Serena Williams is said to have hosted Meghan's lavish baby shower in the £57,400-a-night penthouse of the Mark Hotel in New York City. The pair have been friends since 2010.

Canadian fashion stylist Jessica Mulroney may be among the contenders for the role of godparent to the royal baby - Credit: Chris Jackson/PA
Canadian fashion stylist Jessica Mulroney may be among the contenders for the role of godparent to the royal babyCredit: Chris Jackson/PA

And who from Harry's side?

The van Cutsems have been long-standing family pals of Harry, William and the Prince of Wales for many years. Harry might pick Major Nicholas van Cutsem, whose daughter Florence was a bridesmaid at the royal wedding and is Harry's goddaughter.

Tom "Skippy" Inskip has long been considered Harry's wingman and was at his side during his partying days and Guy Pelly, dubbed the royal court jester for his wild ways, could also be considered.

Guy, whose family are wealthy Kent landowners, has settled down in recent years, marrying American hotel heiress Elizabeth "Lizzy" Wilson.

Nicholas van Cutsem could be asked to perform the role following his close friendship with Prince Harry - Credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
Nicholas van Cutsem could be asked to perform the role following his close friendship with Prince HarryCredit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Who will the royal baby grow up with?

Baby Sussex will have an important bond with his or her cousins, growing up together with the shared experience of the upsides and downsides of being part of one of the world's most famous families.

The child will be a first cousin of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. The youngster will also have a host of second cousins - all great-grandchildren of the Queen.

Days will be spent at the polo with Peter and Autumn Phillips' fun-loving children Savannah and Isla, and Zara and Mike Tindall's cheeky daughter Mia and her younger sister Lena.

The new baby will grow up with Prince George and Princess Charlotte as cousins - Credit: Steve Parsons/PA
The new baby will grow up with Prince George and Princess Charlotte as cousinsCredit: Steve Parsons/PA

Who delivered the baby?

The Duchess of Sussex reportedly appointed her own delivery team to oversee the birth of her first child.

Meghan is said to have broken from royal tradition by not appointing the Royal Household gynaecologists because she does not want "the men in suits" to supervise the birth, it was reported.

The 37-year-old had appointed an "unnamed female doctor" to lead the team instead of Alan Farthing and Guy Thorpe-Beeston, according to The Mail on Sunday.

The two gynaecologists attended at the arrival of all three of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's children.

A spokesman for the Royal family declined to comment.

Meghan Markle has reportedly chosen her own delivery team in a break from royal tradition - Credit: Frank Augstein/AP
Meghan Markle has reportedly chosen her own delivery team in a break from royal traditionCredit: Frank Augstein/AP

Was the birth announced on social media?

The birth of Baby Sussex was announced on the "SussexRoyal" Instagram account.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex launched their own Instagram page on April 2, as they seized control of their royal brand ahead of the birth of their baby.

The Duke and Duchess, who are creating a new team of aides based at Buckingham Palace, have formally separated from the Cambridges on social media, promising to publish their “important announcements” directly to fans.

The new account was created in time for the birth of Baby Sussex, with fans now expecting the first photographs to be posted on Instagram as the couple eschew an appearance outside the hospital.

Previously unseen images of the couple have been posted on their Instagram page - Credit: @sussexroyal/Instagram
Previously unseen images of the couple have been posted on their new official Instagram pageCredit: @sussexroyal/Instagram

What happened at Meghan's baby shower?

Late February, Meghan embarked on a "private" five-day trip to New York without any royal aides. Though we now know the Duchess managed to enjoy many activities incognito (like having macarons at Ladurée in Soho and shopping at children's boutique Bonpoint), sources told US media her solo stint would end with a baby shower just in time to call the paparazzi.

The unexpectedly public event happened seemed to happen  as quickly as media pens could be set up outside The Mark Hotel on New York's Upper East Side.

Many deliveries - including a flat pack baby coat and buckets of flowers, including pink roses, while a flat pack baby cot - were dropped off throughout the morning before guests arrived.

Abigail Spencer, the actress who played 'Scottie' alongside the Duchess in legal drama Suits, was one of the first to be photographed walking through the front door, immediately recognisable despite a beanie hat and dark glasses.

Other celebrity guests arrivals include Amal Clooney, CBS news anchor Gayle King, Jessica Mulroney, and Misha Nonoo (the fashion designer who reportedly set Harry and Meghan up on a blind date).

Reportedly, the baby shower - which cost over £100,000 - itself was partially funded by tennis ace Serena Williams, who paid to host in it The Mark's penthouse suite.

Other reported extravagances include a performance by Kanye West’s favourite harpist, a candy floss machine and £150 steaks.

The Duchess rounded off her New York trip with a three and a half hour night out with her best friends, leaving her hotel just before 7pm and heading to the trendy Ralph Lauren Polo Bar.

She was once again celebrating with Serena Williams and Jessica Mulroney before the women headed their separate ways around 10.15pm - the Duchess returning to The Mark hotel.

Meghan Markle exits a hotel in Manhattan after flying to New York for her baby shower - Credit: Carlo Allegri/Reuters
Meghan Markle exits a hotel in Manhattan after flying to New York for her baby showerCredit: Carlo Allegri/Reuters

How many gifts has the royal baby received?

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were showered with hundreds of gifts from adoring fans before the birth of their first child.

Baby Sussex was given armfuls of toys, clothes and books during a visit to Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand, after it was announced the Duchess was pregnant on the first day of their Autumn tour.

An official register of the presents shows they were handed at least 97 soft toys and teddies, including 11 koalas, five kangaroos, four kiwis and one echidna.

There were 10 baby blankets and three shawls, lovingly homemade by well-wishers, with at least eight pairs of tiny baby socks, 14 booties,  14 vests and two bibs.

Prince Harry and Meghan underwent a tour to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga last year  - Credit: Karwai Tang/Wireimage
Prince Harry and Meghan underwent a tour to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga last year Credit: Karwai Tang/Wireimage

How else have supporters reacted?

Fans of the Duchess of Sussex raised more than £22,000 and counting for her favourite charities as part of a “global baby shower” online.

An army of fans, mostly from the UK and US, joined a Twitter campaign to donate their own money to charity in honour of the impending birth of Baby Sussex.

The three main beneficiaries, Mayhew, Wellchild and Camfed, have reported a ten-fold rise in their usual donations over the weekend, with the latter quadrupling its monthly average already.

The charity drive, created and continued by fans, was pegged to Mothering Sunday in the UK, with organisers hoping to continue until the baby, who is due in late April or early May, is born.