Royal baby: OUTCOME OF THE WORLD’S MOST-WATCHED PREGNANCY - Prince William and Kate Middleton name son George Alexander Louis

Prince William said his son has "his mother's looks, thankfully" as he and Kate made their first public appearance with their son, Britain's new prince. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).

BRITAIN'S new prince has been named George Alexander Louis, royal officials announced, ending speculation over what Prince William and his wife, Kate, would choose for their first child.

Kensington Palace said the royals are "delighted to announce'' their son's name, adding that the 2-day-old baby and third-in-line to the throne will be known as "His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge."

Six previous British kings have been named George, and the name was a favourite of British bookmakers in the run-up to Wednesday's announcement.

For now, the baby is expected to stay out of the spotlight after making his first "public appearance'' in the arms of his parents outside of London's St. Mary's Hospital on Tuesday.

Now that Kate and William have chosen a name, they are expected to soon choose a photographer for the baby's first official portrait.

After leaving the hospital, the couple introduced their son Wednesday to great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, who was keen to see the baby before she starts her annual summer vacation in Scotland later this week.

Queen Elizabeth II paid a private visit on Wednesday to Prince William and his wife Kate to meet their newborn son, her great-grandson who will one day inherit the throne.

Queen Elizabeth II has become the first British monarch to meet a third-generation direct heir since Queen Victoria a century ago. Picture: Philip Toscano

The 87-year-old spent just over half an hour at Kensington Palace in London where the still unnamed infant, the third in line to the throne, was spending his first day after leaving hospital.

The queen had said Tuesday she was "thrilled'' about the latest addition to the family.

Wednesday's meeting was the first between the queen and her new heir, and she became the first British monarch to meet a third-generation direct heir since Queen Victoria a century ago.

The monarch, wearing a turquoise floral outfit, made the visit without her husband Prince Philip, 92, who is convalescing following exploratory surgery on his abdomen last month.

Afterwards, William, Kate and the baby left the palace in a Range Rover, bound for the home of Kate's parents Michael and Carole Middleton in the village of Bucklebury, west of London.

William is taking two weeks' paternity leave from his job as a Royal Air Force search-and-rescue helicopter pilot, and palace officials said he and Kate would now spend "private and quiet time for them to get to know their son.''

Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge' new-born baby boy seen in a car seat outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London on July 23, 2013. AFP PHOTO / CARL COURT Source: AFP

Palace officials said Prince Harry has also been to see his new nephew whose name hasn't been revealed yet. That could take anything from a few hours to several weeks - the queen did not announce the name of William's father, Prince Charles, until a month after his birth in 1948.

The new parents had earlier returned to Kensington Palace, where Pippa Middleton was introduced to her nephew – and took her boyfriend Nico Jackson along to meet him too.

The couple drove to the Palace to greet the newborn prince as he was being settled into his new home. They were among the first to meet him in private and were able to give him a longed-for cuddle, The Daily Mail reports.

While nannies and nursemaids have always played an important role in the lives of royal children, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are to depart from tradition with their son. Kate will look after the young prince without the help of a full-time nanny for the foreseeable future.

A Palace aide confirmed for the first time that the Duchess intends to do without a nanny, saying household staff were "not aware" of any plans to hire one.

Asked if the Duke and Duchess would have any help getting used to parenthood over the coming days, the aide said: "They have both got families that will care hugely for this baby."

The Duchess has made clear that she plans to spend a great deal of time with her own family. Michael and Carole Middleton have recently bought a Georgian manor in rural Berkshire.

Her mother Carole, who Catherine is very close to, has been described as a "Tiger mum", and is expected to be a "Tiger Granny" with her young grandson.

Britain's Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge hold the Prince of Cambridge, as they pose for photographers outside St. Mary's Hospital exclusive Lindo Wing in London. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Earlier today, the moment the world had waited for emerged, as Prince William and his wife emerged from St Mary's hospital to show off their son and the future king - and now you can experience the moment as if you were there.

Barely a day old, the son of Prince William and wife Kate was shown to the world from the steps of  St Mary's hospital in London about 7.15pm local time (4.15am AEST).

With the cheers of well-wishers ringing in their ears, the royal couple could not contain their joy as they broke from protocol and walked out of the Lindo Wing to face the world's media and chat about their new addition.

With our special 360-degree panorama and video (above) we put you front and centre at the historic moment. It's easy to use: Just click on four arrows to expand then use your arrow keys – or finger if on a mobile – to guide it around.

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Kate, wearing a blue Jenny Packham polka-dot dress, was holding the boy first before passing him to her husband.

"He's a big boy, quite heavy, we're still working on a name so we will have that as soon as we can," William gushed as at least a thousand spectators cheered wildly from behind a police cordon.

When asked about his experiences so far William said "well he had a good pair of lungs on him that’s for sure."

The prince confirmed the bub was overdue and quipped "I will remind him of his tardiness when he is older."

Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge shows off their newborn baby boy to the world's media outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London. Source: AP

Kate, cradling Prince Cambridge, said it had been an experience.

"It's been very emotional, it's such a special time. Any parent will know what this feeling is like."

Kate shows off her new prince.

Staring down at his baby boy, William later said "he’s got her looks thankfully" to which Kate replied "no, no, I'm not sure about that".

Prince William then joked about his own hair loss saying "he's got way more than me thank God."

The unnamed baby raised a tiny hand above his white blankets.

William said the couple were "still working on a name".

Kate revealed her husband had changed his first nappy to which William proudly agreed.

The new prince continues to inspire and delight social media, check out our live blog below on the global reaction to the royal newborn then scroll on for more colour from the baby's first public appearance.

Britain's Prince William, carries the Prince of Cambridge to the car as they leave St. Mary's Hospital exclusive Lindo Wing in London where the Duchess gave birth on Monday July 22. Photo: Joel Ryan/Invision/AP Source: AP

After a while William carried his son back into the hospital and re-emerged a short time later with the bub in a car capsule which he installed without mishap.

He appeared to breathe a sigh of relief after successfully getting it all in before the three of them drove off to start their new life as a family.

Kate's sister Pippa was reportedly waiting for them at Kensington Palace.

The young family's first public appearance together has been the moment that the world's media and crowds of onlookers had been waiting for, and the photographs snapped today are likely to be reprinted for decades as the baby grows into adulthood and his role as a future king.

The appearance recalls a similar appearance three decades ago, when Princess Diana and Prince Charles carried the newborn William out to pose for photographs on the same steps in 1982.

Princess Diana and Prince Charles leave St Mary's Hospital with a newborn Prince William in 1982. Source: AP

Earlier, Prince Charles and Camilla came to visit their grandson at 5.30 pm local time. Dozens of hospital staff were brought out the front of the Lindo Wing moments before he arrived in a Jaguar.

The first in line to the throne had said earlier he couldn't wait to meet the third in line to the throne. "Have you had a long wait?," he asked hospital staff and media standing by the entrance.

Their arrival was met with euphoric rock-star screams from onlookers. Charles and Camilla were clearly delighted at being able to visit their grandchild and the reception they received as they smiled broadly and waved to the crowd.

Prince William Duke of Cambridge and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge depart The Lindo Wing with their newborn son at St Mary's Hospital on July 23, 2013 in London, England. (Photo: Stuart C. Wilson/Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Midwife Judith Robbins could not believe her luck as she was escorted to the front of the barriers by the steps of the Lindo Wing to await the exit of the royal couple.

The Midwifery Sister from St Mary’s Hospital has seen many babies in her time but this one was special.

The unthinkable happened as the batteries in her camera ran out just as the couple emerged from the hospital to show their baby.

“I didn’t get a photo because the batteries died,” the sister said with a laugh after the couple had left. “I was here for the last two hours. But I had a little tiny glimpse of the baby yes.”

The midwife said the whole experience was special whether or not it was recorded on a photograph.


“It really was so special, they are all special (babies) but it was a real privilege to have this baby, this wonderful new monarch that is going to be, to be delivered here in our hospital is just amazing.  There are a lot of hospitals in this country but they came to us and that is pretty lovely.”

As each hour passed after lunchtime the crowds outside the Lindo Wing doors grew. Mothers with babies, tourists, nearby office workers, students and the idly curious.

Some climbed on post boxes or high steel picket fences for higher vantages. Others simply held their mobile phone cameras in the air and aimed in the general direction of the doors to see what was happening.

It rained off and on throughout the afternoon but it didn’t seem to make a difference to the numbers.

Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge show their new-born baby boy to the world's media outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in Londo. AFP / ANDREW COWIE Source: AFP

Many came after hearing on the radio confirmed reports Kate’s hairdresser Amanda Cook Tucker had earlier arrived at the hospital as had a royale aide carrying a baby capsule. Many understood that could only mean one thing.

Then about 7.20pm the new royal family emerged. Kate and Wills stood in the middle of the road to chat to the press and wave to the adoring crowds to the utter delight of all, their words barely audibly over the cheers and screams.

After the royals left, tourist Mohsin Mokaram yelled “I got them, I got them” as he scrolled back through his mobile phone and saw a blurry blue dress image of Kate in the distance.

“I’m so happy I saw them,” the special effects technician said.

“I love the royals, I always read about them and it was so good to see them now.”

Lisa Sharpe, another midwife standing outside waiting for the couple, described the baby as stunning.

“What we saw looked absolutely gorgeous and you wouldn’t expect anything else... beautiful boy. I was very honoured to be part of this and witness over the last couple of weeks all the preparations. Obviously today seeing the happy new family going home healthy ... is what a midwife likes to see.”

Another tourist, Jilly Bryant, caught a glimpse of the royal couple. “I think I will have goose bumps for hours and hours,” she said.

Many in the crowd said one of the loveliest moments was seeing Prince William drive his family home himself.

Prince William the Duke of Cambridge and wife Kate holds their new-born baby boy in front of the world's media outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

“I was not planning on shouting out ‘congratulations’ or whoop wooing, but you kind of got absorbed in the moment really. It just happened, that spontaneous reaction,” Ms Sharpe said.

The royal baby was earlier visited by Kate's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, who described him as "absolutely beautiful."

"They are both doing really well and we are so thrilled," Carole Middleton said.

Asked if she had suggested a name for the baby, she replied: "Absolutely not!"

Kensington Palace said Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, gave birth to the 8 pound, 6 ounce (3.8 kilogram) baby boy at 4.24pm on Monday, triggering an impromptu party outside Buckingham Palace and in front of the hospital's Lindo Wing.

The palace said on Tuesday that "mother, son and father are all doing well this morning".



As celebratory lights, gun salutes and other tributes were unleashed in Britain and abroad, William thanked staff at St Mary's Hospital "for the tremendous care the three of us have received".

"We know it has been a very busy period for the hospital and we would like to thank everyone - staff, patients and visitors - for their understanding during this time," he said in a statement.