Royal baby: Meghan gives birth to boy, Harry announces

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Media captionLIVE: TV coverage as Duchess of Sussex gives birth to a boy

The Duchess of Sussex has given birth to a boy, the Duke of Sussex has announced.

Prince Harry said they were “absolutely thrilled” and thanked the public for their support during the pregnancy.

He said Meghan and the baby were doing “incredibly well”, adding that they were still thinking about names for the infant, who was delivered at 05:26 BST.

Buckingham Palace said the baby weighed 7lbs 3oz (3.2kg), and that the duke was present for the birth.

It added: 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 have been informed and are delighted with the news.

“The duchess's mother, Doria Ragland, who is overjoyed by the arrival of her first grandchild, is with their Royal Highnesses at Frogmore Cottage.”

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Media captionPrince Harry says he and Meghan are “absolutely thrilled”

The baby boy 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.

• Latest updates as royal baby arrives

• Privacy, publicity and the royal baby

• In Pictures: A look back at Meghan's pregnancy

• Profile: Duchess of Sussex

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He is the Queen's eighth great-grandchild.

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Speaking after the birth, Harry added the child had been “a little overdue” and that he planned to make another announcement in two days' time “so everyone can see the baby”.

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He added: It's been the most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined.

“How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension.”

Harry and Meghan, a timeline

Image copyrightReuters

8 November 2016 - Kensington Palace releases a statement that confirms Prince Harry has been dating Meghan Markle “for a few months” and asks the press to respect their privacy

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28 November 2017- Harry and Meghan announce they are engaged to be married

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15 December 2017 - Kensington Palace confirms the couple have chosen to wed in Windsor on 19 May the following year

19 May 2018 - Harry and Meghan are married in front of 600 guests at St George's Chapel and become the Duke and Duchess of Sussex

15 October 2018 - Kensington Palace announces the duchess is pregnant, and is due to give birth in Spring 2019

6 May 2019- Meghan gives birth to a boy, who becomes seventh in line to the throne

Responding to the news, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted: Congratulations to Meghan and Harry on the birth of their baby.

“I hope they're all doing well.”

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon added her congratulations to the couple.

She wrote: “The birth of a baby is a joyful occasion - congratulations to Harry and Meghan.”

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