After a day of waiting, Kensington Palace finally announced the news last night that the nation had been waiting for – the Duchess of Cambridge had given birth to a son.

The baby weighed 8lbs 6oz and was born at 4.24pm.

The palace said in a statement: “Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 4.24pm.

The baby weighs 8lbs 6oz.

“The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth.

“The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and members of both families have been informed and are delighted with the news.

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

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh are delighted at the news.”

Soon after the palace announcement was made, a notice giving details about the baby – the third-in-line to the throne – was taken to Buckingham Palace.

It was been signed by Marcus Setchell, who led the medical team that delivered Kate’s baby. The notice was placed on an easel in the palace forecourt, the same way William’s birth was announced on June 21, 1982.

The baby will be the Queen’s third great-grandchild and is destined to be crowned monarch. He will be the 43rd sovereign since William the Conqueror if, as expected, he follows reigns by the Prince of Wales then William.