Duke and Duchess of Sussex settle into life with new baby

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are settling into life as a family of three after welcoming their baby – and now expectation is growing about their son’s name.

Harry announced to the world on Monday his wife had given birth to a boy and could not hide his happiness at becoming a father for the first time, to a baby he said was “absolutely to-die-for”.

The infant is believed to be the first mixed-race child born to a senior member of the royal family in centuries, and is a reflection of modern Britain with its culturally diverse population.

Asked about a name for his son Harry said on Monday: “Still thinking about names. The baby is a little bit overdue, so we’ve had a little bit of time to think about it.”

Arthur is the favourite with many of the bookies – a traditional royal moniker that features among the middle names of the baby’s grandfather, the Prince of Wales, and his uncle the Duke of Cambridge.

The seventh in line to the throne baby boy – an eighth great-grandchild for the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh – arrived at 5.26am on Monday, weighing 7lb 3oz.

The as-yet-unnamed infant was believed to have been born in the sanctuary of Frogmore Cottage – the Sussexes’ home on the Windsor Estate.

But the Daily Mail reported that Meghan had her son at a London hospital, possibly The Portland.

A spokeswoman for the hospital said: “We are unable to confirm speculation about individuals who may or may not have been cared for at The Portland Hospital.”

In his announcement, Harry said on Monday: “How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension but we’re both absolutely thrilled and so grateful to all the love and support from everybody out there.

“It’s been amazing so we just wanted to share this with everybody.”

He went on to say: “As every father and parent will ever say, you know, your baby is absolutely amazing, but this little thing is absolutely to-die-for, so I’m just over the moon.”

The duke was at his wife’s side during the birth and he later confessed he had only had a few hours’ sleep, suggesting Meghan had spent much of the night in labour.

The couple are due to present their newborn to the world during a photocall that is likely to take place on Wednesday, allowing mother and baby a few days to recover.

And they are expected to receive visits from family and friends this week to congratulate the couple on their new arrival.

Thomas Markle, the duchess’ estranged father, has already offered his well-wishes to Harry and Meghan on the news of their firstborn’s safe arrival.

Mr Markle, a former TV lighting director, told The Sun: “I am proud that my new grandson is born into the British royal family and I am sure that he will grow up to serve the crown and the people of Britain with grace, dignity, and honour.”

The Queen and Philip, Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are all said to be delighted with the news.

Doria Ragland, the duchess’ mother, who was with the couple on Monday and is thought to be staying with them, was also overjoyed with the arrival of her first grandchild.

Ahead of the birth, Harry and Meghan made a personal decision to keep their arrangements private, amid speculation that they had opted for a home birth at Frogmore Cottage, close to the Queen’s Windsor Castle residence.

They also said they would only share the news of the baby’s arrival once they had had a chance to celebrate privately as a family.

Baby Sussex’s birth comes less than a year after Harry married American former actress Meghan in a glittering ceremony in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.

Harry, 34, and Meghan, 37, became engaged following a whirlwind 16-month romance after going on a blind date in London.