Britain celebrates new prince

Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton gave birth Monday to a baby boy, third in line to the British crown.

"Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well and will remain in hospital overnight," the monarchy said in a statement, revealing that the royal infant, weighing 8 lbs, 6 oz., had been born at 4:24 p.m. London time (11:24 a.m. EST).  

Middleton was admitted to the private Lindo Wing of St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington, central London, in the early morning hours and in the midst of a summer thunderstorm.

The royal couple used a back entrance to the hospital when they arrived at 6:00 am (1:00 a.m. EST), missing the ranks of international media who have camped outside the hospital for three weeks.

Queen Elizabeth II, the newborn's grandmother, was seen arriving back at Buckingham Palace from Windsor Castle, just outside the capital, in mid-afternoon, but other royals went about their usual business.

Charles, the current heir, was visiting York in northern England, where members of the public shouted "Congratulations!".

Smiling, he replied: "Do you know something I don't?"

Charles, who turns 65 in November, joked: "I'm very grateful indeed for the kind wishes for my rather slowly-approaching grandfatherhood."

Prime Minister David Cameron sent his best wishes to the couple and the "whole country is excited."

The new arrival was born in the same hospital wing as his father. Mediia from across the globe are hoping for a repeat of the scene in 1982, when Charles and his first wife Diana brought out the baby to show him off to the world.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said "a proud nation" will be celebrating the new prince's birth.

US President Barack Obama's spokesman had earlier said that he and the first family were "waiting with anticipation" for the birth and "wish the family and all of Great Britain well on this pending momentous occasion."

William, at his wife's bedside, has been on annual leave and will take two weeks' paternity leave from his military job as a Royal Air Force search and rescue pilot.

Today's news comes after months of anticipation by royal watchers, and sets off a carefully choreographed process in announcing the name and gender of the child.

News that she would soon give birth invigorated the makeshift encampment outside St. Mary's Hospital -- a horde of journalists, photographers, curious onlookers and a few die-hard royalists.

The baby is in line to become Britain's monarch and be recognized as head of state in 15 other countries, including Canada and Australia, playing a leading role in charting the future of the Commonwealth -- countries that retain a ceremonial link to the former British Empire.

Queen Elizabeth has held the throne since 1952 after her father, King George VI, died in February of that year.

She was formally coronated in 1953, making her the second-longest serving monarch after Queen Victoria, who died in 1901.

Prime Minister David Cameron sent his best wishes to the couple and the "whole country is excited."

Al Jazeera and wire services