Where was Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal baby born? When will Baby Sussex be named?

The wait is over as after weeks of frenzied anticipation from royal fans the Duchess of Sussex has given birth to a baby boy, weighing 7lbs 3oz.

Meghan and Harry have said they will not pose for pictures with their first child until they have had time to celebrate his arrival privately. But as the world eagerly waits for the first glimpse of the new royal, here’s everything we know about him so far...

When and where was the royal baby born?

The Duchess of Sussex is believed to have revived a royal tradition by having her baby at home, but this has not been confirmed.

Meghan went into labour in the early hours of Monday morning, it was confirmed in a statement shortly after 2pm. In an announcement in Windsor later in the afternoon, Prince Harry confirmed the couple have had a baby boy.

Harry was by his wife’s side for the birth.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Baby Announcement - In pictures

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Meghan and Harry (Getty Images file photo)
Getty Images

The new royal baby, just like his grandfather the Prince of Wales and great-grandmother the Queen, is not believed to have been born in hospital.

Unlike the Duchess of Cambridge, who had all three of her children at the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London, Meghan is thought to have given birth in the comfort of her newly-renovated home Frogmore Cottage on the Windsor Estate.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are keeping details of the birth private for now, but the place of birth is likely to be revealed on the birth certificate.

Royal babies were traditionally born at home, usually in royal palaces.

Prince Harry speaks after the Duchess of Sussex gave birth to a baby boy
Reuters

Has the child been named?

Royal fans are eagerly waiting to see what the royal couple are going to name their new baby. While a name has not yet been given, there has been much speculation.

Bookmakers have revealed the favourites for what they think Harry and Meghan will name him, with James, Alexander and Arthur being the favourites.

Royal fans celebrate outside Windsor Castle
PA

What have the new parents said following the birth?

A delighted Prince Harry, speaking in Windsor, said: "I am very excited to announce that Meghan and myself had a baby boy early this morning. A very healthy boy."

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

"How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension. We're both absolutely thrilled and so grateful to all the love and support from everybody out there.

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

"We are still thinking about names. The baby's a little bit overdue, so we've had a little bit of time to think about it, but that's the next bit.

"We will be seeing you guys in two days' time as planned, as a family, to share it with you guys so everyone can see the baby.

The Duke, who couldn't stop grinning as he gave his statement, joked: "I haven't been at many births! This is definitely my first birth. It was amazing, absolutely incredible.

"As I said, I am so incredibly proud of my wife.

As every father or parent would say, your baby is absolutely amazing. But this little thing is absolutely to die for, so I am just over the moon."

Harry: I am just over the moon
Reuters

How have other royals and Meghan’s family reacted?

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 were informed and were said to be "delighted" with the news.

A statement from Buckingham Palace said: "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."

The Duchess’s mother, Doria Ragland, who is "overjoyed by the arrival of her first grandchild" is with Their Royal Highnesses at Frogmore Cottage.

Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, are now expected to visit the couple and their new baby at the weekend after returning from an official visit to Germany.

Where does the baby fall in the line of succession for the throne?

He is seventh in line to the throne, behind the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge and his children - Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis - and Prince Harry.

Will he be a prince?

It will be The Queen’s decision whether the baby will be a prince, although Harry and Meghan of course will have an input.

A royal decree issued by King George V in 1917 limits the number of grand royal titles in a way that would make Harry and Meghan's baby known as a Lord as the child of a Duke rather than as a prince.

Queen Elizabeth II issued new Letters Patent on December 31, 2012 declaring that all of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s children will have the title of Royal Highness and be styled Princes and Princesses.

The document states, “The Queen has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 31 December 2012 to declare that all the children of the eldest son of The Prince of Wales should have and enjoy the style, title and attribute of Royal Highness with the titular dignity of Prince or Princess prefixed to their Christian names or with such other titles of honour.”

The Queen’s Letters Patent revised King George V’s 1917 decree that only the eldest son of the Prince of Wales’s eldest son was entitled to be styled His Royal Highness and a Prince.

According to this document, the daughters and younger sons of the Prince of Wales’s eldest son were to be styled as children of a Duke. These ducal titles would change to royal titles once the Prince of Wales succeeded to the throne.

The Queen’s decree ensured that if the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s eldest child was a daughter, she would be styled a Princess rather than a Lady.

She could intervene again in this case and do the same for Harry and Meghan's offspring, but Her Majesty’s position on that subject have not been made public.

It is also possible that Harry and Meghan could decide they don't want the special designation for the baby, in order to give their child a more normal upbringing.

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