The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have included a touching tribute to the late Princess Diana in their announcement confirming they have welcomed a baby boy today.

A statement released by the Palace revealed that, in line with royal protocol, the Queen was among the first to be informed of the news.

However - along with the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge - Diana's siblings Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Earl Spencer were also notified of the news.

This differs from the birth of Prince Louis in April 2018, when Prince William and Kate informed The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry, along with 'members of both families'.

The Palace also confirmed that Meghan's mother Doria Ragland was staying with the couple at Frogmore Cottage, however there was no mention of whether her father Thomas Markle had been informed of the news.

Confirming the news of Harry and Meghan's firstborn on Monday afternoon, the Palace wrote: 'Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex was safely delivered of a son at 0526hrs this morning.

'The baby weighs 7lbs 3oz. The Duke of Sussex was present for the birth.

'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.

'Her Royal Highness and the baby are both doing well.'

Harry was particularly close to his mother Diana, who tragically died on the 31 August 1997.

In interviews last year to mark the 20th anniversary of his mother's death, Prince Harry admitted how bottling up his emotions made a devastating impact on his mental health.

He had, he confessed, been ‘very close’ to a complete mental breakdown on numerous occasions.

The turmoil over his emotions saw him endure two years of what he described as ‘total chaos’ before seeking professional counselling on the advice of Prince William.

He disclosed that he had only begun to address this grief when, at the age of 28, he had felt himself to be ‘on the verge of punching someone’ while also facing anxiety when carrying out official engagements.

In a video filmed for the Heads Together campaign last year, Harry and William admitted that they hadn't spoken to each other enough in the past about their mother's death.

Harry said: 'We've never really talked about losing a mum at such a young age.'

'I always thought, what's the point of bringing up something that's only going to make you sad. It ain't going to change it. It ain't going to bring her back'.

Before the announcement of the birth of the little boy today, Diana was among the top names predicted if the couple had a little girl.

And a beaming Prince Harry confirmed the news of their firstborn on TV today, revealing Meghan gave birth to a baby boy early Monday morning.

In a statement, Harry said he's 'incredibly proud' of his wife, and that they have a healthy baby boy who weighs 7 pounds 3 ounces who has not yet been named.

Harry explained that as the child was overdue, they had been given them more time to contemplate names.

He added that he is ecstatic about the birth of their first child and said more details will be shared in the coming days.

'This little baby is absolutely to die for,' he said. 'I'm just over the moon.'

The infant will be seventh in line to the British throne and Queen Elizabeth II's eighth great-grandchild. Harry is the younger son of Prince Charles, the next in line to the throne, and the late Princess Diana, who died in a Paris car crash in 1997.

The child will be eligible for dual British-U.S. citizenship if Meghan and Harry want to go through the application process.</s>Royals fans everywhere are delighted by the news of Baby Sussex’s birth. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s first child, a baby boy, arrived in the early hours of yesterday. A gushing Prince Harry broke the happy news to journalists in an impromptu press conference at Windsor. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s first child is seventh in line to the throne. While the new royal baby is not expected to become monarch, they share this fascinating similarity with their great grandmother Queen Elizabeth II.

Like Baby Sussex, as a child, it was never thought likely that Princess Elizabeth would become Queen. She was the daughter of a second-born royal son - George VI and everyone believed her uncle, Edward VIII would be King before him. However, Princess Elizabeth’s fate dramatically changed when her father’s brother, Edward VIII abdicated. Edward had no children and so his lack of direct heirs led Elizabeth’s father, George to become the next king of England.

Once her father George was king, Elizabeth was directly in line to the throne and so she became queen after his death. Baby Sussex would only ever become king through an extraordinary twist of dynastic fate. There are currently six others in-line to the throne ahead of Meghan and Harry’s baby. First Prince Charles, then William, then William’s three children followed by Harry and then Baby Sussex.

Prince Charles is the next in line to the throne and will become King if the Queen abdicates or when she dies. Baby Sussex unlike his royal cousins, will not be a prince. His royal title will be Earl of Dumbarton. Prince Harry and Meghan are still deciding on a name for the royal tot.

A delighted Duke of Sussex told reporters yesterday: “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, but 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 wanted to share this with everybody.” “The baby is a little bit overdue, so we’ve had a little bit of time to think about it. “That’s the next bit, but for us, I think we will be seeing you guys in probably two days’ time as planned as a family to be able to share it with you guys and so everyone can see the baby.” Meghan and Harry’s baby was born at 5.26am on Monday weighing 7lbs 3oz. Meghan and Baby Sussex are expected to make their first public appearance together later this week.</s>A baby girl in Scarborough will share her birthday with a member of the Royal Family after she was born on the same day as Duchess of Sussex gave birth to her son.

Abbie Harryman gave birth to a healthy baby girl, Jorgie Richardson, at 6.12am on Monday May 6.

The 23-year-old delivered her second child at Scarborough Hospital weighing seven pounds and five ounces after a six-hour labour.

Abbie and Brett Richardson, who live in Cayton, are happy with their new arrival who came into the world nine-days early.

"Thank you to my partner and my sister who helped me through the birth. We are both absolutely fine," Abbie said.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's son who was also born on Monday are borth said to be doing well.

Prince Harry and new mum mum Meghan Markle, have not yet revealed the name of their son who is seventh in line to the throne.</s>After what feels like an eternity of waiting and speculating, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have announced the birth of their first child.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have had a son, who is the eighth great-grandchild of the Queen, and was born at 5:26am on Monday 6 May after many initially though he’d been born earlier in secret at Frogmore Cottage – the Sussexes’ home on the Windsor Estate.

However it turns out that the little sprog was just a little overdue, and after Meghan was reportedly rushed to Portland Hospital in secret, the 7lb 3oz royal was born.

Given the new royal baby still doesn’t have a name, until one is announced by Harry and Meghan, the odds are all we have to entertain ourselves…

While Arthur was the front-runner yesterday, Alexander has become the new odds-on favourite name for the new royal baby, with the bookies claiming that it’s 7/2 that Meghan and Harry will choose that name.

The next most likely name is James, at 4/1 followed by Arthur at 5/1, and Spencer, which was Princess Diana’s maiden name, at 11/2.

The favourite Alexander is a name with Greek origins which loosely means ‘Defender of the people’ – an apt name for a royal to be sure.

Alexander is also a name with something of a royal history, with Prince George, Duke of Kent’s (1902-1942) full name having been George Edward Alexander Edmund, and Prince Harry and Meghan’s nephew Prince George of Cambridge’s full name being George Alexander Louis.

It’s tradition for royals to take the names for their children from other royals who have come before them, so this link to royal history could strengthen the name’s position as the most likely choice.

However, until the official announcement of the child’s name, all we can do is speculate…

To stay up-to-date with the latest royal baby news, visit our royal baby page.

MORE: The new royal baby’s weight compared to cousins Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis

MORE: Little boy gives royal baby reporter the middle finger in Windsor</s>As soon as the Duchess of Sussex gave birth to a baby boy on May 6, speculation over what he would be named and his Royal title sparked a lot of curiosity. As per latest predictions, the Royal baby will be given a traditional name like Edward, Arthur, Alexander, Oliver or even James.

However, the pair who is known to surprise people, might throw a curveball with the name. The baby is understood to be around a week overdue, with royal watchers keenly awaiting the announcement.

Earlier on Monday morning, an Instagram post on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s account read, “Their Royal Highnesses’ son weighs 7lbs. 3oz. The Duchess and baby are both healthy and well, and the couple thank members of the public for their shared excitement and support during this very special time in their lives.”

In 2010, Canadian-born Autumn Phillips, and husband Peter Phillips (the son of Princess Anne and the oldest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh) opted for a non-traditional name for their daughter Savannah. Since Harry and Meghan’s child is the seventh in line to the throne, the royal couple has more freedom with their choices.

The question is, will they derive inspiration from Peter Phillips or follow the footsteps of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge who chose to give their children traditional names? They chose George for their firstborn, who is likely to be the king one day, and Louis for their second son. They named their daughter Charlotte.</s>Prince Harry is “over the moon” after Meghan gave birth to their first son. Picture: AP

Prince Harry is “over the moon” after Meghan gave birth to their first son. Picture: AP

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, have welcomed their first child, a son.

Speaking from Windsor, the Duke of Sussex beamed as he announced to the media that his wife had given birth to the baby boy at 5.26am on Monday local time (2.26pm AEST).

"I'm very excited to announce that Meghan and myself had a baby boy this morning, a very healthy baby boy. I'm so incredibly proud of my wife."

Harry said the little boy was "absolutely to die for".

"It's brilliant, I'm absolutely thrilled. We're really grateful for all the love and support shown to us.

"It's been overdue so we have had a little bit of time to think about names so that's the next bit. I haven't been at many births. This is my first birth. It was amazing and absolutely incredible. I'm incredibly proud of my wife.

"Every father and parent will say your baby is absolutely amazing but this little thing is absolutely to die for. I'm over the moon."

Harry said that while the baby was overdue, and that had given them time to think about a name, they hadn't decided on one yet.

He said one could be announced within the next two days when the trio are expected to pose for the cameras.

"Still thinking about names … that's the next bit," Harry said.

Harry could not stop beaming after giving his hastily arranged live public announcement about his son's birth.

Off camera he looked relaxed and was understandably in a very good mood but confessed to missing out on rest, adding: "I've had about two hours' sleep."

The boy is one of the lightest royal newborns in recent years. The baby's sex was a surprise for the couple, who chose not to find out what they were having.

Meghan Markle had wanted a birth that was as private as possible - but it's understood her hopes were dashed at the 11th hour.

Mail Online reports the Duchess was taken to hospital on Sunday, before giving birth on Monday morning local time.

Secrecy shrouded the move, so much so that not even senior royals were told, according to the report.

Just one week ago it was reported Meghan still had a home birth planned.

While Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the hospital delivery, sources confirmed to Mail Online that it had occurred.

New dad Harry will be back at work on Thursday when he launches a count down to the Invictus Games in the Netherlands.

Harry will be in The Hague for the event, which honours injured returned servicemen and women.

"Confirmed. Prince Harry WILL go to The Hague on Thursday as planned. Meghan will be at home - mum Doria is there too," British royal correspondent Chris Ship said.

"So he will, as he wanted, be able to see his other baby @InvictusGamesNL!!!"

It comes as the newest arrival to the royal family was announced outside Buckingham Palace in front of hundreds of onlookers.

Crowds pushed up against the gates of the palace to see a framed notice of birth for Harry and Meghan's new son, which was placed on a ceremonial easel in the forecourt.

Earlier, Buckingham Palace said in a statement that Meghan and her child were "both doing well".

"Oh ye, oh ye, oh ye. Buckingham Palace proudly announces the birth of a newly born royal baby boy to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

It also revealed that Meghan's mother, Doria, was by her side at Frogmore Cottage, suggesting it may have been a home 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," a statement from Buckingham Palace read.

An Instagram post on Harry and Meghan's @sussexroyal page said: "We are pleased to announce that Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their firstborn child in the early morning on May 6th, 2019.

"The Duchess and baby are both healthy and well, and the couple thank members of the public for their shared excitement and support during this very special time in their lives."

Charles, Camilla, William and Kate were said to be "delighted" at the news.

The birth of the child, his weight and gender, was announced after the Queen was informed.

The baby news came just an hour after the royal family said in a statement that Meghan had gone into labour: "The Duchess went into labour in the early hours of this morning, The Duke of Sussex was by Her Royal Highnesses' side. An announcement will be made soon."

Meghan's estranged dad Thomas has also sent the couple his congratulations.

"I'm delighted to hear that mother and child are doing well," Mr Markle said in a statement to The Sun. "I am proud that my new grandson is born into the British royal family and I am sure that he will grow up to serve the crown and the people of Britain with grace, dignity, and honour."

He continued, "God bless the child and I wish him health and happiness, and my congratulations to my lovely daughter Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry, and God Save the Queen."

Meghan's estranged sister, Samantha, has yet to comment.

Meghan was last seen on an official engagement on March 19 when she signed a book of condolences in London with her husband for the victims of the Christchurch terror attack.

The American former actress and the duke moved into their renovated home Frogmore Cottage on the Windsor Estate at the beginning of April, as they prepared for their baby's arrival.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will take some private time to bond with their son ahead of official photographs, eschewing the tradition of new royal parents presenting their baby on the steps of their birthing hospital.

They are expected to show their new baby boy to the world on the grounds of Windsor Castle to one photographer, one television camera and one reporter in several days.

The child will be seventh in line to the throne, after Prince Harry.

Prince Charles is first in line, followed by Harry's brother Prince William, then William's children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

There is no official title arranged for the new baby, but the Queen can give permission for the child to be called a Royal Highness, as she did for Prince William's children.

William and Harry's cousins Beatrice and Eugenie are both titled princess, but their other cousins have lesser or no royal titles, at the request of their parents.

Prince Harry and Meghan thanked wellwishers ahead of the birth and, in keeping with the couple's support of humanitarian causes, asked for donations to charities selected by them instead of gifts.

An Instagram post from the pair's page praised those who had been so generous.

"The Duke and Duchess of Sussex asked that you kindly consider supporting various organisations around the world in lieu of sending gifts for the upcoming arrival of their first born. Not only did many of you lend your support, you took action," the post read.

"Their Royal Highnesses wanted you to know the impact of your support - the direct effect your donation, energy, and action made!

"YOU chose to be part of the collective good, and you have made a real difference.

"Whether a $5 donation, £1000 contribution, offering to volunteer, or spreading the word - you've played your part. And on behalf of The Duke and Duchess (and Baby Sussex), we thank you so much."

The Duke and Duchess married at Windsor Castle in May last year, watched by almost two billion people.</s>WINDSOR, England (Reuters) - A day after the birth of their baby boy to a global fanfare, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan on Tuesday were considering names for the newest member of the British royal family and when to show him off to the world.

Meghan gave birth in the early hours of Monday morning to the boy, the seventh-in-line to the British throne, leaving his father, Queen Elizabeth’s grandson, and royal fans across the world thrilled and enthralled.

“I am so incredibly proud of my wife and, as every father and parent would ever say your baby is absolutely amazing, this little thing is absolutely to die for,” Harry said.

Few details about the birth have been released by Buckingham Palace with the announcement itself a mix of traditional and modernity which many say the baby himself represents, being the first mixed race child to be born into a senior position in British royalty in recent history.

The news was relayed on an ceremonial easel outside the palace having already been splashed “It’s a Boy!” on the couple’s Instagram account, attracting more than 2.6 million “likes”.

It was not clear whether the birth took place at the couple’s home, Frogmore Cottage on the estate of Windsor Castle where they married in a lavish ceremony in May last year, or if Meghan had been rushed to a London hospital as a number of British newspapers reported.

So far, Harry and his aides have merely confirmed the boy weighed 7 lbs 3oz (3.26 kg) and that Meghan and the couple’s first child were both healthy and well.

Celebrities and world leaders were among those to send in messages of congratulations to the couple, a reflection of the star status of Harry, 34, and former U.S. actress Meghan, 37.

“Congratulations, Meghan and Harry! Barack and I are so thrilled for both of you and can’t wait to meet him,” former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama said on Twitter.

Harry and Meghan decided to eschew the recent royal tradition of posing for photographs with their new baby hours after the birth, leaving the world’s media and royal fans waiting for a first glimpse of the boy who is entitled to both British and American citizenship.

“We’ll be seeing you guys in probably two days time, as planned, as a family to share it with you guys and so everyone can see the baby,” Harry told reporters on Monday.

“We’re still thinking about names,” Harry said. “The baby’s a little bit overdue so we’ve had a little bit of time to think about it ... that’s the next bit.”

Bookmakers have James, Alexander, Albert, Philip, and Arthur as the favorite names, although other suggestions include Spencer, which was the surname of Harry’s late mother Princess Diana.

The baby, the eighth great-grandchild of 93-year-old Elizabeth, the world’s longest-reigning monarch, will not automatically be a prince or a princess or be known as “His Royal Highness” unless the queen issues a decree.

However, when Elizabeth is succeeded by Harry’s father Prince Charles, royal rules mean the boy would then have such titles.

“It’s been the most amazing experience I could ever possibly imagine,” Harry said. “How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension.”</s>It’s been a whirlwind week for Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and it’s only Tuesday. On Monday, May 6, Harry and Meghan welcomed their first child, a baby boy. While Harry confirmed in a quick press junket that mom and baby were doing well, there was no confirmation on the name or what the coming days and weeks hold for the royal family aside from settling into their new normal. Even though he’s less than a week old, Baby Sussex is already generating a lot of curiosity and excitement throughout the kingdom — as well as a lot of money. We may not know his name, but new reports suggest Baby Sussex’s estimated net worth is enormous and he also stands to generate a lot more for the royal family and UK economy. Let’s break it down.

Baby Sussex’s wealth is directly tied to both Harry and Meghan’s combined net worth as well as the royal family’s net worth. As MONEY online points out, the royal family’s net worth is reportedly a jaw-dropping $88 billion, which mostly comes from holdings like the Crown Jewels as well as revenue generated from tourism and royal family events. Additionally, going into their marriage, Meghan’s net worth was reportedly around $5 million and Harry’s was somewhere between $25 and $40 million. Based on just his parents’ incomes alone, Baby Sussex’s net worth (keep in mind he is literally two days old as we report this) is somewhere between $30 and $45 million.

And that net worth could grow based on the income Baby Sussex generates in the coming days, months and first years of his life. Using the estimated $125 million that Prince Louis (the youngest of the Mountbatten-Windsor clan and thus the best rule of thumb here) generated for the British economy in the days following his birth. An even more bananas sign of what awaits Baby Sussex are Princess Charlotte and Prince George’s initial net worths, $3.6 billion and $5 billion, respectively. All signs point to each of Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge’s kids’ net worths continuing to grow over their lifetimes.

The implication here is that Baby Sussex could, as the first child of Harry and Meghan, generate that amount or more from this point onward. This would be based on tourism income for royal baby-related visits, baby products and other royal-related commemorative products sold in Baby Sussex’s name and so forth. Basically, this child is a huge source of income for his parents and the royal family — and he still has his whole life ahead of him.

Harry and Meghan have made it clear that the arrival of their son wouldn’t be a public free-for-all and instead, the couple would dole out news about their son as well as the first look on their own terms. It took a long time for Baby Sussex to get here, so it’s understandable that right now all Harry and Meghan want to do is spend time alone as a family before they have to return to their public duties. For now, time is more precious than all the money is the world and truly, that’s all that matters. Plus, Baby Sussex has the rest of his life to spend that family money; there’s no rush at all.</s>The royal baby is on the way! Buckingham Palace has confirmed that Meghan Markle is in labor. The Palace revealed that Duchess went into labor "in the early hours of this morning" and husband Prince Harry is at her side. The news comes after bookies had halted all bets on Baby Sussex's arrival.

MORE: Meghan Markle's BFF Abigail Spencer on why she will be an amazing mother

The former Suits actress and the Duke have opted to keep their baby’s gender a surprise. All bets are on, as the majority believe that the duo will welcome a new little Princess. Royal watchers are convinced that the pair will also name their daughter Diana, in honor of Harry’s late mother. Prior to making it to the “kick your feet up” stage of her pregnancy, Meghan attended an event on International Women’s Day, where she expressed her hope for her future child.

“It’s funny, I’ve actually been joking the last few weeks," the Duchess of Sussex responded. "I had seen this documentary on Netflix about feminism, and one of the things they said during pregnancy was ‘I feel the embryonic kicking of feminism.’ I loved that, so boy or girl, whatever it is, we hope that that’s the case with our little bump."</s>LONDON — Prince Harry could barely contain himself. Facing a news camera to announce his son’s birth, he rubbed his hands together, bounced on the balls of his feet and seemed unable to stop himself from grinning, even for a second.

“It’s been the most amazing experience I can ever possibly imagine,” he said, standing in front of the stables at Windsor Castle, where two black horses nodded behind him.

“How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension, and we’re both absolutely thrilled,” he said about his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. The duchess, he said, was “amazing,” and the birth “amazing,” and the love and support from the public “amazing.” Then he turned to go, so addled with happiness and sleep deprivation that he appeared to thank the horses.
The first child of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, is born; the boy is seventh in line to the British throne.