Prince William has said his newborn son is ‘in good form and behaving himself’ as he attended an Anzac Day service.
The Duke of Cambridge was joined by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Westminster Abbey for the traditional service.
Meeting a number of people in a line-up, William could be heard joking with one man that he has a ‘strong name’ – as the world waits for the palace to announce the name of the new royal baby.
He said the latest addition to his family was ‘sleeping reasonably well so far’ adding, ‘he’s behaving himself, which is good news.’
But Prince Charles has been unable see his new grandson as he was in Scotland on a private break when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s third child was born on Monday morning.
By contrast, Kate’s family – including proud grandparents, Michael and Carole Middleton and her sister Pippa – have all been to Kensington Palace to have a cuddle with new arrival.
The Duke of Cambridge said the latest addition to his family was ‘sleeping reasonably well so far’ adding, ‘he’s behaving himself, which is good news’
Carole Middleton was seen shopping on the King’s Road for baby supplies after her daughter gave birth
Prince Charles travelled down from the Highlands to France for a dawn service this morning to mark the centenary of the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux on behalf of the Queen
Kate’s sister, Pippa, 34, who is reportedly pregnant with her first child, was seen driving herself out of the gates of Kensington Palace yesterday morning
Asked how mother and baby is, William replied: ‘They’re very well thanks.’
He said they are ‘in good form, luckily’, and added: ‘Sleeping’s going reasonably well so far, so he’s behaving himself which is good news.
Last night Prince Charles travelled down from the Highlands to France where he was at a dawn service this morning to mark the centenary of the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux on behalf of the Queen, alongside the Prime Ministers of Australia and France.
This means he won’t see the latest addition to his family until tonight or tomorrow morning at the earliest.
Mr and Mrs Middleton, it is understood, were amongst the first visitors to see the new prince, while Kate’s sister, Pippa, 34, who is reportedly pregnant with her first child, was seen driving herself out of the gates of Kensington Palace yesterday morning in a pink coat and sunglasses, with a broad smile on her face.
A royal source said Charles, 69, was very keen to see his grandson but would ‘have to work out a time with his family when he gets back’ from France.
The prince did say, however, in an unexpected statement yesterday that both he and baby’s step-grandmother, the Duchess of Cornwall, were thrilled at the new arrival.
‘We are both so pleased at the news. It is a great joy to have another grandchild,’ he said.
Over the years there have been reported family tensions, with Charles privately complaining of not seeing enough of his grandchildren, particularly compared to the Middletons.
The Duke of Cambridge was joined by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Westminster Abbey for the traditional service
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with their newborn son outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington on Monday
A royal source said Charles, 69, was very keen to see his grandson but would ‘have to work out a time with his family when he gets back’ from France
The prince said that both he and baby’s step-grandmother, the Duchess of Cornwall, were thrilled at the new arrival
Both Prince George and Princess Charlotte are frequent visitors to Kate’s family home, Bucklebury Manor, a haven of tranquillity for the royal children, who can run around the 18-acre grounds without a care in the world and collect fresh eggs from the Middleton’s chicken coop.
According to sources, the Middletons are ‘virtually retired’ from the day to day running of their successful business, Party Pieces, and therefore able to help out whenever needed.
Charles, on the other hand, has huge official commitments, including almost 600 public engagements a year, as well as a growing number of official duties on behalf of the elderly Queen, and has to ask his diary team to schedule in time with his young grandchildren.
But he does dote on the youngsters.
Both George, four, and Charlotte, who will turn three next week, have hand-made wooden swings in the garden at Anmer, carved with their names, courtesy of their grandpapa – and there is sure to be a third joining them, when William and Kate eventually decide on a name.
Prince Harry was today at the Cenotaph in Whitehall for the ANZAC Day Parade
Charles, pictured today, has huge official commitments, including almost 600 public engagements a year, as well as a growing number of official duties on behalf of the elderly Queen
The Countess of Wessex, who is married to William’s uncle, Prince Edward, revealed to the Mail yesterday that even they hadn’t been given a hint – although the bookmaker’s clear favourite is Arthur.
She said: ‘The jury’s out on that one. I don’t know, we’re all just going to have to wait and see!’ During a visit to Tregolls School in Truro, Cornwall, mother-of-two Sophie added: ‘I’m thrilled for them all, it’s lovely – really good news.’
It is anticipated, in line with other royal births, including Charlotte, that the name will be released by Kensington Palace today by press release and on social media.
The Queen, who is at Windsor this week, will likely be informed by phone as to the name of her sixth great-grandchildren.
She also may not see him until the weekend, when it is likely that William and Kate will bring their new son to the castle to see both herself and Prince Philip, who is currently recovering there from a hip replacement and unable to travel.