LONDON (AP) — Prince William, Kate and their baby boy were spending their first day as a family today inside a London hospital, thanking staff for their care but making well-wishers wait for a first glimpse of the royal heir.
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.
The couple’s Kensington Palace office said Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, had given birth to the 8 pound, 6 ounce (3.8 kilogram) baby boy at 4:24 p.m. Monday, triggering an impromptu party outside Buckingham Palace and in front of the hospital’s private Lindo Wing.
The palace said today that “mother, son and father are all doing well this morning.”
The new family was expected to remain in the hospital until this evening or Wednesday morning.
In the meantime the infant’s appearance — and his name — remain a royal mystery.
Tourists and well-wishers flocked to Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, lining up outside the gates to take pictures of the golden easel on which, in keeping with royal tradition, the birth announcement was displayed.
“This was a great event — yet again our royal family is bringing everyone together,” said 27-year-old David Wills, who took a two-mile detour on his run to work to pass the palace. “I kind of feel as though I am seeing part of history here today.”
A band of scarlet-clad guardsman at the palace delighted onlookers with a rendition of the song “Congratulations.”
Other celebrations today included gun salutes by royal artillery companies to honor the birth and the ringing of bells at London’s Westminster Abbey.
