BUCKINGHAM Palace has announced the Duchess of Sussex has given birth to a baby boy.

Prince Harry was at Meghan's side as their son was born, and the new baby is seventh in line to the throne - ahead of Prince Andrew, the Duke of York.

Born at 5.26am weighing 7lb 3oz, the boy is the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh's eighth great-grandchild, and a fourth grandchild for the Prince of Wales.

Meghan was last seen on an official engagement on March 19 when she signed a book of condolences in London with Harry 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.

Meghan went into labour this morning, a palace spokesman said.

Harry has an official visit to The Hague scheduled for Thursday when he is due to launch the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games 2020.

The duke would have to leave behind new mother Meghan and a newborn who is likely to be only days old.

The duchess' mother Doria Ragland was reported to have been staying with the Sussexes at Frogmore Cottage to help.

Harry's trip to Amsterdam and overnight stay away on Wednesday was cancelled on Friday, with Buckingham Palace saying it was due to logistical concerns surrounding press coverage of royal events, rather than baby Sussex.

Here's the Buckingham Palace statement in full: "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex was safely delivered of a son at 0526hrs.

"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 her child are both doing well."

The name of the baby, which is seventh in line to the throne, will be announced at a later date.

The Duke of Sussex was present for the birth which happened at 5.26am.

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 palace said.

The statement added that the Duchess's mother Doria Ragland "who is overjoyed by the arrival of her first grandchild"was with the couple at Frogmore Cottage.

The palace said the name of the baby would be announced in due course.

The duke and duchess's Instagram account @SussexRoyal also announced the birth saying: "It's a boy! Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to announce the birth of their child."

A beaming Harry said: "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.

"We're both absolutely thrilled and so grateful for all the love and support from everybody out there, it's been amazing, so we just wanted to share this with everybody."

Harry said the couple were "still thinking about names" for their son.

He said: "The baby was a little bit overdue so we've had a little bit of time to think about it.

"That's the next bit."

He said he planned to make another announcement in two days' time "so everyone can see the baby".

Harry added: "I haven't been at many births.

"This is definitely my first birth - it was amazing, absolutely incredible.

"I'm so incredibly proud of my wife.

"And as every father and parent would say, your baby is absolutely amazing.

"But this little thing is absolutely to-die-for so I'm absolutely over the moon."

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

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