Did Kate Middleton want to give birth to her third baby at home, where were George and Charlotte born and what is the royal custom?
THE world waited with bated breath all morning for news of the new royal baby - and it has now been confirmed Kate Middleton gave birth to a baby boy.
But did she want to give birth at home and where were Prince George and Princess Charlotte born? Here's the lowdown...
Did Kate Middleton want to have her third baby at home?
Kate, 36, had been thought to be planning a home birth for her third child.
This would have meant either London's Kensington Palace or Amner Hall, her home with Prince William on the Queen's Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.
“Catherine has said she would love to have her baby at home,” said a royal source reportedly .
“She has discussed it with William and he is being very supportive. They both think it would be lovely for the family to have a home birth, particularly for George and Charlotte.”
However on the morning of April 23, Kensington Palace announced that Kate was in labour at the St Mary's Hospital.
It has now been announced that Kate Middleton and Prince William have welcomed a baby boy.
Where were George and Charlotte born?
Kate gave birth to both George, in July 2013, and Charlotte, in May 2015, in the private Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, Paddington.
Princes William and Harry were born in the same hospital wing, in 1982 and 1984 respectively.
But Kate and Will are thought to be concerned about the strain the royal births put on the hospital.
The Express' source continued: “(Kate and Will) both agree that having a home birth would save a massive intrusion into the day to day running of any hospital where she gave birth.
“They were very concerned about the chaos caused with the first two children as hundreds of press and public camped outside for several days, and they would like to avoid a repeat if they could.
“They don’t think it’s fair on other patients at the hospital and people visiting their relatives.”
It's thought that Kate wanted to have Charlotte at home too, but was told no chances could be taken with the so-called 'heir' and the 'spare'.
Although Kate gets bad morning sickness, her births have been trouble free.
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What is the royal tradition when giving birth?
Before Princess Diana had William, there was a long history of royals giving birth at home.
Queen Elizabeth was born at her parents' London home, in Bruton Street.
While she had all of her sons at Buckingham Palace, and Princess Anne at Clarence House - where Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles now live.
Royal tradition also bans men from the birthing room, and says the Queen must be the first to know about the birth.
While midwives are sworn to secrecy, and a town crier announces the news to the public.
Here's the latest on Kate's due date and baby name predictions.