DDN Correspondent

It's a boy for Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate as the latter delivered a healthy baby boy weighing 8lbs 6oz early morning today sparking a media frenzy across the world. Hundreds of people gathered outside Buckingham Palace to celebrate the birth of first child of Prince and Duchess of Cambridge.

The new arrival in the royal family is third in line to the throne after Prince Charles and his father. "We could not be happier," William, the son of Charles and the late Princess Diana, said in a brief statement. US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle also congratulated the royal family.

Earlier, the 31-year-old Kate was admitted to the private Lindo wing of London’s St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, in centralLondon where she spent tens hours in labour. "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 4:24 pm (1524 GMT)," Kensington Palace said in a statement four hours after Kate delivered the future King. "The baby weighs 8lbs 6oz. The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth,” added the statement.

A formal announcement confirming the birth of baby boy was later placed on a gold easel in the forecourt of BuckinghamPalace. The bulletin said that both mother and the baby were "doing well". Royal doctor Marcus Setchell added: "Wonderful baby. Beautiful baby". Queen Elizabeth, 87, said she was "delighted" while Prince Charles expressed happiness over the good news.