It's more important than ever to stay informed - Get the free CheshireLive newsletter direct to your inbox Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Subscribe here Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex welcomed a baby boy into the world this morning. At 5.26am this morning the Duchess gave birth to a son weighing 7lbs 3oz, with the Royal Palace announcing the news to the world this afternoon via an Instagram post. The post read: "The Duchess and baby are both healthy and well, and the couple thank members of the public for their shared excitement and support during this very special time in their lives." Now that the baby has safely arrived speculation turns to what Prince Harry and the Duchess will choose to call their first born, who will be seventh in line to the throne and the Queen's eighth great grandchild. So what do the bookies think? Here are the names that lead the list (correct as of May 6). (Image: Instagram) ROYAL BABY BOY NAME ODDS Albert 1/3 Arthur 11/4 Alexander 8/1 James 10/1 Phillip 12/1 Louis 14/1 Henry 16/1 Frederick 20/1 Thomas 20/1 Edward 20/1 Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now The Duchess of Sussex visited Chester in June last year with the Queen, the first official engagement for the Duchess involving just Her Majesty and her granddaughter-in-law.<doc-sep>After Prince Harry and Meghan Markle showed off the latest royal arrival in Windsor today, all eyes were the betting for what the newborn would be called. The result was completely unexpected: Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. According to bookmaker comparison site Oddschecker, Spencer was the clear favourite for the royal baby's name, following a stream of bets in the last 24 hours. Bookmakers installed ‘Alexander’ as the second favourite at 5/1 followed by ‘James’ and ‘Arthur’ which both followed at 10/1. Also the name Theodore was puntered heavily on Wednesday, being cut from 20/1 into 10/1.. Donald was also on the list but not heavily fancied as the name for the latest British royal - it trailed the field at 500/1.<doc-sep>Royal babies usually have a string of names, opening the way for endless betting possibilities LONDON (AP) — Britons love to lay down their bets — and with the birth of a healthy baby boy for Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry, it’s time to focus on boys’ names. Britain’s legal bookmakers reported high interest Tuesday in the names Alexander, James and Arthur. They also noted speculation about the name Spencer, the maiden name of Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana. Royal babies usually have a string of names, opening the way for endless betting possibilities. “Following a flurry of bets last evening, Alexander is now the new favorite at the top of our name betting and the one we are fearing the most,” said John Hill of the Coral betting agency. Alexander has 4/1 odds at Coral, while Arthur is 6/1 and Albert, James and Spencer are all 8/1. Choosing Spencer as a first or middle name is seen as a way for Harry to honor Diana, who died in a Paris car crash in 1997 when he was only 12. Before he married Meghan last year, Harry spoke about his desire to pay tribute to his mother’s memory during the wedding ceremony. Others believe Meghan could choose a name that reflects her American biracial heritage. One Twitter user suggested Marvin — for the late singer Marvin Gaye. The infant, known only as Baby Sussex for the moment, was born Monday at 5:26 a.m. at a yet-undisclosed location. In a gushing announcement of the birth, Harry said he and Meghan are “thinking” about names and hinted that an announcement might be made Wednesday or shortly thereafter. The couple is also expected to pose with their newborn or release a photo on their Instagram account at some time and to publicly name godparents for the child. The new arrival is the eighth great-grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II, who smiled when asked about the baby’s arrival at a luncheon Tuesday. Asked if life is good, the 93-year-old monarch said: “Yes, thank you.” The baby boy is the first of her great-grandchildren to have an American parent. His mother Meghan is the daughter of a white man and a black woman, bringing a biracial heritage to the House of Windsor. Trevor Phillips, a retired black broadcaster who headed Britain’s Equality and Human Rights Commission, wrote an open letter to the royal baby, saying his arrival reflects British society’s more open attitude nowadays and the increasing inclusiveness of the royal family. “This is a family that lives the reality of a multicultural world daily,” he said. “It’s their job: to interact with people of different backgrounds to themselves on behalf of the nation, and to treat them all with respect. I have to tell you, they are pretty good at it.” He went on to tell the baby: “Whether you like it or not, you’re going to have a special place in the nation’s heart.” Prince William, Harry’s older brother, joked Tuesday that he will be glad “to welcome my own brother into the sleep deprivation society that is parenting!” “Obviously thrilled, absolutely thrilled, and obviously looking forward to seeing them in the next few days when things have quietened down,” William told reporters. The birth produced a moment of high drama likely to be replayed for the rest of Harry’s life. The prince, who has battled mental health challenges since the abrupt loss of his mother at a young age, emerged with the world’s most satisfied grin Monday afternoon to announce the birth of his son before TV news cameras. “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,” the normally press-shy royal gushed. Harry also burnished his feminist credentials — and paid tribute to mothers around the world — after witnessing the birth. “It’s been the most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined,” he said. “How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension.”<doc-sep>
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have welcomed their royal baby - a little boy. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's first child , who is the Queen and Prince Philip's eighth great-grandchild, is seventh in line to the throne. The baby's name has not yet been announced, and if the couple follow in the footsteps of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge we could be waiting a few days to find out. In a break from royal tradition, the couple will not pose for photos outside hospital - because Meghan gave birth at their home at Frogmore Cottage. 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." Speaking from Windsor, the Duke of Sussex said: "I'm very excited to announce that Meghan and myself had a baby boy this morning, a very healthy baby boy." A smiling Harry added: “It’s been the most amazing experience I could ever imagine. “How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension.” "It was amazing, absolutely incredible. As I say, I am so incredibly proud of my wife and, as every father and parent would ever say your baby is absolutely amazing, this little baby is absolutely to die for. He said they had not yet decided on a name for the child and would make their first appearance as a family in a couple of days' time. 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." Prime Minister Theresa May said: "Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the arrival of their baby boy. Wishing you all the best at this happy time." Meghan is now expected to take maternity leave for several months, and Harry will also have some time off as paternity leave.