The wife of Prince William, Kate Middleton, also known as the Duchess of Cambridge, has been delivered of a baby boy at the private Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, central London, where Prince William was born 31 years ago.

The Duchess of Cambridge chose to follow in Princess Diana, William’s late mother’s footsteps by planning a natural birth and the new royal baby is the Queen’s third great-grandchild.

Royal birth announcement said the boy was born at 4:24 p.m. weighing 8 pounds, 6 ounces.

“Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well and will remain in hospital overnight,” the statement said.

William also issued a brief statement, saying “we could not be happier.”

Cries of joy erupted from the waiting crowd amassed near Buckingham Palace as the news came through, and hundreds of onlookers, some of whom had camped outside for hours, struggled to catch a glimpse of the bulletin formally announcing the birth placed outside the palace’s forecourt.

The delivery was performed by the Queen’s former and current gynecologists, Marcus Setchell and  Alan Farthing respectively.

Kate was brought to the hospital from the Kensington Palace with her husband by her side at 6:00 am Monday and by 7:30am, a statement was released saying she was experiencing early stages of labour.

The world’s press has been camped outside the hospital for well over a week to catch first glimpse of the royal newborn.

The media siege outside the hospital began on July 1. Photographers and cameramen vied for prime positions, with some erecting step ladders.