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As it happenedended

Royal baby news: Official Instagram account pays tribute to mums on Mother's Day

Buckingham Palace revealed that the Duchess of Sussex gave birth in the early hours of Monday morning

Prince Harry and Meghan speak for first time since birth of baby Archie

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In the early hours of Monday 6 May, the Duchess of Sussex gave birth to a baby boy, with Prince Harry by her side.

A statement was released on the royal couple’s official Instagram account, revealing that the baby was born before 6am and weighs 7lbs. 3oz.

The first pictures of the couple with their newborn were revealed on Wednesday. The newborn was seen swaddled in a white blanket wearing a white hat.

The couple later announced on Instagram that they had named their son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

Please allow a moment for the blog to load:

Doria Ragland 'overjoyed' by birth

Doria Ragland pictured with daughter, Meghan Markle, at her wedding to Prince Harry in May 2018 

Buckingham Palace confirmed that the Duchess of Sussex gave birth in the early hours of Monday morning.

While the location of the birth has not yet been disclosed, the Palace tweeted on Monday afternoon that Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, was with the couple at their home in Frogmore Cottage, Windsor,

"The Duchess’s mother, Doria Ragland, who is overjoyed by the arrival of her first grandchild, is with Their Royal Highnesses at Frogmore Cottage," it reads. "Her Royal Highness and the baby are both doing well."

An announcement revealing the name of the child is expected in due course.

olivia.petter7 May 2019 15:45

Just hours after welcoming his first child, Prince Harry reportedly already felt the impact parenthood will have on his sleep. 

According to ITV, the Duke of Sussex told reporters off-camera: "I've had about two hours' sleep." 

Earlier during the public announcement, Prince Harry expressed his excitement and joy at becoming a father. 

"It's been the most amazing experience I can ever have possibly imagined," he said.

Chelsea Ritschel7 May 2019 16:06

What really happens at a home birth?

Michelle Gyimah: ‘So many thoughts were running through my head about whether this baby was going to survive’ 

While the world waits for more details surrounding The Duchess of Sussex' birth plan – everything remains shrouded in secrecy – many are speculating that Meghan opted to give birth to her son at home. 

Buckingham Palace has announced that she and Prince Harry are currently celebrating the arrival of their new family member at Frogmore House in Windsor, though it's not clear whether or not Meghan gave birth there or at The Portland Hospital in London.

If she did indeed choose to have a home birth, there are a multitude of things that could've gone wrong. That is, if the seven women who shared their experiences of giving birth at home with The Independent are anything to go by.

From the concerning to the miraculous, read their stories below.

olivia.petter7 May 2019 16:15

Prince Charles 'couldn't be more delighted' with news of royal baby'

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are currently in Berlin 

The Prince of Wales has said that he and the Duchess of Cornwall, who are both on an official visit to Berlin, "couldn't be more delighted" to hear that the Duchess of Sussex had given birth to a baby boy on Monday.

"We're looking forward to meeting the baby when we return," he added. 

olivia.petter7 May 2019 16:45

While Prince Harry and Meghan may decide for their son not to have any title, the baby may receive a subsidiary title granted to the duke by the Queen on the day of his wedding.

The title in question has links to an ancient Scottish kingdom.

sabrina.barr7 May 2019 17:15

Following the arrival of the royal baby, the Queen has shown her delight at being a great-grandmother an eighth time over.

During a luncheon for members of the Order of Merit, the Queen smiled as she answered questions about the newest royal, telling former Prime Minister of Canada the Rt Hon Jean Chretien that she is now a great-grandmother to "eight".

The Queen was joined by her husband Prince Philip.

Chelsea Ritschel7 May 2019 17:37

The youngest royal may only be a day old but he's already being showered with gifts.

Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, who are currently in Germany, have received two gifts to give their new grandchild - a teddy bear from German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and a onesie from an organisation for victims of domestic violence. 

Upon receiving the gift, the duchess reportedly said: "As soon as we return I will deliver it to them, direct from Germany. 

"I'm sure they will be thrilled."

Chelsea Ritschel7 May 2019 18:13

Cadbury World has celebrated the arrival of the royal baby with a giant teddy bear made entirely of chocolate.

The bear, which measures a foot-and-a-half tall and weighs 28kg, took two days to make. 

This is the fourth time the chocolatiers have celebrated the birth of a royal baby with a chocolate creation. 

Chelsea Ritschel7 May 2019 19:06

While in Berlin, the Prince of Wales expressed his joy over the birth of his new grandson, in both German and English. 

According to royal correspondent Rebecca English, Prince Charles said: "Of course, it is also a particular pleasure to be back in Berlin once again - especially as the grandfather of a brand new grandson!"

Prince Charles accepted gifts on behalf of his newest grandson earlier in the day, including a teddy bear from German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Chelsea Ritschel7 May 2019 19:43

On the social media front, the royal baby announcement posted from the newly launched Sussex Royal account broke records.

The Instagram post, which declares "It's a Boy!" has been liked more than 2.7m times - making it the most-liked post of any royal account, according to Hello magazine. 

Chelsea Ritschel7 May 2019 20:45

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