London — Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have revealed the name of their first child. The new royal baby is named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. The royal couple made the announcement Wednesday via their official Instagram account, ending several days of feverish speculation about their son's name.

The announcement came with a black and white photo showing Queen Elizabeth II meeting her new grandson. The monarch was flanked by her husband, Prince Philip, and her grandson, Prince Harry, and Meghan stood beside her mother, Doria Ragland.

Archie became seventh in line to the British throne the moment he was born, but he won't be called "his royal highness," as the rules around the granting of royal titles were tightened up about 100 years ago. Harry and Meghan could have chosen to have Archie bestowed with an aristocratic title — make him an earl, for instance — but they decided against it.

Britain's booming betting business had shown before Wednesday's announcement that a lot of punters expected the new baby to be named Alexander, Arthur, Philip or a handful of other go-to historical British royal names.

Archie was considered a more contemporary choice by many royal observers, but not one that was totally unexpected of Harry and Meghan.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with their baby son, who was born on Monday morning, during a photocall in St George's Hall at Windsor Castle in Berkshire, May 8, 2019. Dominic Lipinski/PA

Meeting the royal baby

Earlier on Wednesday Harry and Meghan introduced their son to the world in a highly-orchestrated photo opportunity at Windsor Castle, but they declined at the time to give his name.

Meghan, who appeared happy and healthy, said her son had "been a dream" and has the "sweetest temperament, he's really calm." The new-born slept right through his first media encounter.

"It's magic, it's pretty amazing, and I have the two best guys in the world, so I'm really happy," she said during her son's first brief encounter with a television camera.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with their baby son during a photocall in St. George's Hall at Windsor Castle, west of London, May 8, 2019. Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

"His looks are changing every single day," Harry noted. "Parenting is amazing. It's only been, what, two and a half days, three days, but we're just so thrilled to have our own little bundle of joy, and to be able to spend some special time with him as he slowly starts to grow up."

"He's already got a little bit of facial hair as well," the bearded prince joked.

Harry and Meghan thanked the public for their well-wishes before they left the camera position, Harry cradling their son in his arms and Meghan resting her arm around his shoulders.

The royal birth

Meghan gave birth to the couple's first child at 5:26 a.m. local time Monday, May 6. He weighed 7 pounds and 3 ounces, and Harry said on the day that both mom and baby were doing well.

Meghan had hoped and planned for a home birth, but it has been widely reported — though not yet confirmed by the palace — that in the end the royal couple welcomed their first child into the world in a London hospital.

Many newspapers and royal observers have said Meghan gave birth at London's Portland Hospital for Women and Children, an exclusive private facility in the heart of the British capital. Buckingham Palace has issued no statement on the reports, but has not refuted them.

On Monday, new dad Prince Harry beamed as he announced his son's birth.

Royal baby: Prince Harry beams as he announces birth of son

"I am so incredibly proud of my wife, and as every father and parent would ever say, your baby is absolutely amazing, but this little thing is absolutely to die for, so I am just over the moon," Harry told reporters. "Thank you very much guys. Thank you."

Royal reporter Roya Nikkah said this royal baby was always going to be unlike any other.

"We now have the first British-American prince born into the royal family, that's a landmark moment," she said. "I suppose it shows how ... international and diverse we are as a society." </s> The name of the newest member of England’s royal family has been announced: Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, introduced their son to the world on Wednesday. Their son’s name was publicly shared after visiting the Queen.

“He has the sweetest temperament, he’s really calm. He’s been the dream," Meghan told reporters Wednesday.

“I don’t know who he gets that from," Harry joked. “It’s only been two and a half days, three days, but we’re just so thrilled to have our own little bundle of joy.”

The couple’s first child was born 5.26 a.m. on Monday, weighing 7 pounds and 3 ounces. </s> Celebrity confidantes of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to take on the role of godparents to the couple's new baby son.

Harry and Meghan welcomed a 7lb 3oz baby boy early on Monday morning and will, if they follow royal tradition, announce their first born's godparents on the morning of his christening in a few months' time.

With the duke and duchess keeping their birth plans and the names of their medical team private, the couple may also decide not to release details of those they select for the spiritual role.

The duke could pay tribute to his late mother Diana, Princess of Wales, who died in a car crash when he was only 12, by asking relatives from the Spencer side of the family, perhaps one of his Spencer cousins - the children of Diana's siblings Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Lady Jane Fellowes and Earl Spencer.

Harry and Meghan are also predicted to turn to some of their well-known friends, many of whom had VIP seats in the Quire of St George's Chapel at the royal wedding last May, and whose children were their pageboys or bridesmaids.

While the tradition for royal babies used to be to select elderly or foreign relatives for the role, Harry and Meghan appear likely to follow in the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's footsteps and opt for mostly friends over family.

Royal infants usually have more than the standard three godparents.

Prince Louis has six, future king Prince George has seven and Princess Charlotte has five.

So who might be asked to be baby Sussex's godparents?

Meghan's stylist and best friend is expected to play an important part in the baby's life.

She supported Meghan in the difficult days leading up to the wedding amid the turmoil caused by the absence of her father, Thomas Markle.

Mrs Mulroney's children - twin boys Brian and John and daughter Ivy - were pageboys and bridesmaid.

She is married to Ben Mulroney, son of former Canadian prime minister Brian Mulroney.

The duchess's close friend runs her own brand agency and helps others to start businesses.

Meghan has spent Christmas with the Litt family in the past.

She is godmother to Mrs Litt's daughters Rylan and Remi, and also chose them to be her bridesmaids.

The tennis champion is said to have hosted Meghan's lavish baby shower in the £57,400-a-night penthouse of the Mark Hotel in New York City.

The pair have been friends since 2010 when they met at a Super Bowl party.

Meghan wrote of Williams on her former lifestyle website The Tig: "She quickly became a confidante I would text when I was travelling, the friend I would rally around for her tennis matches, and the down-to-earth chick I was able to grab lunch with."

Hollywood star George Clooney, who shares a May 6 birthday with baby Sussex, has denied he will be a godfather, declaring: "No, I'm now a father of twins, I've got enough shit. Literally, literally shit."

He recently claimed that Meghan was being "pursued and vilified" and compared her treatment to that of Diana, Princess of Wales.

But Meghan could ask the actor's wife, human rights lawyer Amal, who attended her luxury baby shower.

The Sussexes have holidayed with the Clooneys in Italy.

The chat show queen was seated in the exclusive Quire seats for the royal wedding, and Harry is collaborating with Oprah on a new documentary series on mental health.

Winfrey said she was overcome with emotion during the ceremony, telling British Vogue: "It left me feeling that anything is possible through the power of love."

She invited Meghan's mother Doria Ragland to her home ahead of the wedding.

Former actress Meghan has been friends with Spencer since they starred together in the US legal drama Suits.

Spencer also used to contribute to Meghan's lifestyle site.

The fashion designer is credited with introducing Harry to his future wife via a blind date.

She had a VIP seat at the royal wedding and used to be married to William and Harry's friend Alexander Gilkes.

Markus Anderson is Meghan's best male friend, and the pair used to holiday together with Ms Nonoo.

Mr Anderson is director of members' club Soho House where the couple's blind date is said to have taken place in summer 2016.

"What would I do without you, my loving, supportive, and endlessly fun friend??" Meghan once posted about Mr Anderson.

It is not just Meghan's friends who are expected to get a look-in. The van Cutsems have been long-standing family pals of Harry, William and the Prince of Wales for many years.

Harry might pick Major Nicholas van Cutsem, whose daughter Florence was a bridesmaid at the royal wedding and is Harry's goddaughter.

Maj van Cutsem is already a godfather to Prince Louis.

Harry could choose one of the other van Cutsem brothers - Edward, Hugh or William, who is one of Prince George's godfathers.

Tom "Skippy" Inskip has long been considered Harry's wingman and was at his side during his partying days.

They were childhood friends at Eton and Harry and Meghan attended his wedding to Lara Hughes-Young in Jamaica in 2017.

Dubbed the royal court jester for his wild ways, Guy Pelly, whose family are wealthy Kent landowners, has settled down in recent years, marrying American hotel heiress Elizabeth "Lizzy" Wilson.

He was often cited as a bad influence on the royal brothers in their youth, but was asked to be one of Louis's godparents.

Harry and William have also been friends with the van Straubenzees for many years, so it is likely Thomas or his brother Charlie might be asked to be godfather.

Thomas van Straubenzee is already godfather to Princess Charlotte, and Harry was said to have been Charlie's best man at his wedding to Daisy Jenks.

Prince Seeiso and Harry set up the charity Sentebale together to help impoverished Aids orphans in the southern African kingdom of Lesotho.

They have a strong bond and have been friends for 15 years after Seeiso invited Harry to spend a seminal two months in Lesotho during his gap year.

Harry's mentor has been a key father figure since childhood.

The former Welsh Guards officer, who was an equerry to the Prince of Wales, was tasked by Charles with keeping an eye on Harry in his youth.

They travelled together in Harry's gap year and he helped arrange Harry's stay in Lesotho.

His son Jasper - the duke's godson - was one of Harry and Meghan's pageboys.

Jake Warren is firm friends with Harry and is the son of the Queen's bloodstock and racing adviser, John Warren.

His daughter Zalie was the youngest bridesmaid at the royal wedding and is another of Harry's godchildren.

Harry and Meghan may opt to include a royal in the line-up, perhaps choosing the duke's cousin, Princess Eugenie of York.

Harry and William used to spend skiing holidays with the Yorks in the 1990s, and Eugenie is said to have introduced Harry to his ex-girlfriend Cressida Bonas.

The duke is godfather to Zara's youngest daughter Lena.

Harry may want to recognise bonds with friends of his late mother Diana, Princess of Wales.

He invited Diana's former flatmate, Carolyn Bartholomew, and one of her best friends, Julia Samuel, who is also a godmother to George, to his wedding.

Or perhaps he might choose someone from Diana's Spencer family - possibly her sisters Lady Sarah McCorquodale or Lady Jane Fellowes, or more likely a cousin from the Spencer side, such as Louis, Viscount Althorp, or Celia Woodhouse or George McCorquodale.

Harry's much-loved former nanny Tiggy Legge Bourke, now Tiggy Pettifer, has played a significant role in his life.

She once described William and Harry as "my babies", and helped care for the princes following the death of their mother in 1997. </s> Meghan Markle has given birth to a baby boy, who was born on Monday, May 6 at 5.26am. Prince Harry spoke to reporters yesterday, and was visibly ecstatic over the birth of his son, grinning as he told reporters: “It’s been the most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined.” Baby Sussex’s name has not yet been announced, but Harry told reporters that a second announcement would be made in around two days time.

What is Prince Harry’s full name and title? Prince Harry, 34, is now a proud father and his excitement was palpable as he told reporters of his son’s arrival. An important member of the Royal Family, Harry has a name and titles to match. Harry’s full name is Prince Henry Charles Albert David, but he has been known as Harry since birth. Read More: Kate Middleton news: Kate and William 'planning' FOURTH baby in 2020?

Now known formally as the Duke of Sussex, Harry was granted this title in May 2018 ahead of his wedding to Meghan Markle. Buckingham Palace announced the titles saying: “The Queen has today been pleased to confer a Dukedom on Prince Henry of Wales. “His titles will be Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton and Baron Kilkeel. “Prince Harry thus becomes His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex, and Ms Meghan Markle on marriage will become Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex.”

Will the baby have a title? Meghan and Harry’s son as yet has not been automatically granted the title of prince, unlike Kate Middleton and Prince William’s children. However, the little royal could take on one of his father’s titles - the Earl of Dumbarton. Unless the Queen decides to grant the young royal a tile the baby will not be an HRH or a prince. This is due to rules which limit titles within the royal family, introduced by King George V more than 100 years ago. </s> As soon as the Duchess of Sussex gave birth to a baby boy on May 6, speculation over what he would be named and his Royal title sparked a lot of curiosity. As per latest predictions, the Royal baby will be given a traditional name like Edward, Arthur, Alexander, Oliver or even James.

However, the pair who is known to surprise people, might throw a curveball with the name. The baby is understood to be around a week overdue, with royal watchers keenly awaiting the announcement.

Earlier on Monday morning, an Instagram post on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s account read, “Their Royal Highnesses’ son weighs 7lbs. 3oz. 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.”

In 2010, Canadian-born Autumn Phillips, and husband Peter Phillips (the son of Princess Anne and the oldest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh) opted for a non-traditional name for their daughter Savannah. Since Harry and Meghan’s child is the seventh in line to the throne, the royal couple has more freedom with their choices.

The question is, will they derive inspiration from Peter Phillips or follow the footsteps of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge who chose to give their children traditional names? They chose George for their firstborn, who is likely to be the king one day, and Louis for their second son. They named their daughter Charlotte. </s> Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge emerge from St Mary's in London with their newborn prince.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have left hospital after the arrival of their third child, a boy.

The couple's second son, who was born at 11:01 BST, weighing 8lb 7oz, is fifth in line to the throne.

Prince George and Princess Charlotte had visited their brother at the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, London.

Leaving the hospital Prince William said the couple were very happy, before holding up three fingers and joking he had "thrice the worry now".

"We didn't keep you waiting too long this time," he added.

When someone asked him whether the couple had decided on a name, he said: "You'll find out soon enough."

Formal notice

Minutes earlier, Prince William and Catherine had come out of the hospital briefly to greet the crowds with their new son.

They then returned inside to put their newborn son in his car seat before driving away towards their home Kensington Palace.

Image copyright PA Image caption The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's newborn son is fifth in line to the throne

The duchess wore a red Jenny Packham dress with a white collar as she left the hospital.

Fashion commentators said that its colours reflected St George's flag, while others saw echoes of Princess Diana, who wore red and white when she left hospital with a newborn Prince Harry in 1984.

Members of both families have said they are "delighted with the news" of the birth.

Skip Twitter post by @KensingtonRoyal The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and members of both families have been informed and are delighted with the news. — Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 23, 2018 Report

Kensington Palace said the name of the baby would be announced in due course while a formal notice of the birth had been posted on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.

Favourite names at the bookmakers include Arthur, Albert, Frederick, James and Philip.

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption George and Charlotte visit royal baby

Prime Minister Theresa May tweeted her "warmest congratulations" to William and Catherine.

She said: "I wish them great happiness for the future."

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn also sent his regards, tweeting: "Congratulations to Kate and William on the birth of their baby boy. I wish them all the very best."

The Archbishop of Canterbury added: "Congratulations to The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the safe delivery of their baby, a brother for Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

"May God bless them and all of their children with love, happiness and health."

A sense of renewal

By Jonny Dymond, BBC royal correspondent

After some quieter times, the Royal Family is back in the news - and there is a noticeable sense of renewal; new faces, with Meghan Markle, Prince Harry's fiancee, making her first public appearances, and now another child, the as-yet unnamed third child of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

It's always gone like this - waves of interest followed by periods of relative quiet. But there has been a sense of renewal in the past few months.

Of course there has been concern over the health of the Duke of Edinburgh; and interest in the Queen, with her decades of service, never falters.

But the attention of a new group, both in Britain and around the world, has been caught by this birth and then the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle next month.

From the darkest days of the World War Two to the Instagram generation, the Royal Family now connects them all.

Following a change in the law in 2013, Princess Charlotte keeps her place as fourth in line to the throne.

Previously, younger royal males would have taken precedence over older female siblings.

The duchess was admitted to hospital shortly before 06:00 on Monday with the announcement of the birth coming shortly after 13:00.

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption BBC Rewind looks back at previous notable royal pregnancy announcements

Senior royal doctors consultant obstetrician Guy Thorpe-Beeston and consultant gynaecologist Alan Farthing oversaw the birth.

Both were also called in for the arrival of Prince George in 2013 and Princess Charlotte in 2015.

The new prince, born on St George's Day, shares a birthday with Lady Gabriella Windsor - the daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, who was born at the Lindo Wing on 23 April 1981.

Image copyright PA Image caption Some royal fans have been waiting outside the hospital since early April

Will the new prince be king?

To become King or Queen as the third-born royal child is rare - and has yet to happen within the current House of Windsor.

But the third child of George III and Queen Charlotte, William IV, took on the task and ruled from 1830 to 1837.

The Hanoverian king acceded to the throne aged 64 when his older brother, George IV, died without an heir.

He became next in line when he was 62 and his other older brother, Frederick, Duke of York, died. </s> The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have included a touching tribute to the late Princess Diana in their announcement confirming they have welcomed a baby boy today.

A statement released by the Palace revealed that, in line with royal protocol, the Queen was among the first to be informed of the news.

However - along with the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge - Diana's siblings Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Earl Spencer were also notified of the news.

This differs from the birth of Prince Louis in April 2018, when Prince William and Kate informed The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry, along with 'members of both families'.

The Palace also confirmed that Meghan's mother Doria Ragland was staying with the couple at Frogmore Cottage, however there was no mention of whether her father Thomas Markle had been informed of the news.

Confirming the news of Harry and Meghan's firstborn on Monday afternoon, the Palace wrote: 'Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex was safely delivered of a son at 0526hrs this morning.

'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 the baby are both doing well.'

Harry was particularly close to his mother Diana, who tragically died on the 31 August 1997.

In interviews last year to mark the 20th anniversary of his mother's death, Prince Harry admitted how bottling up his emotions made a devastating impact on his mental health.

He had, he confessed, been ‘very close’ to a complete mental breakdown on numerous occasions.

The turmoil over his emotions saw him endure two years of what he described as ‘total chaos’ before seeking professional counselling on the advice of Prince William.

He disclosed that he had only begun to address this grief when, at the age of 28, he had felt himself to be ‘on the verge of punching someone’ while also facing anxiety when carrying out official engagements.

In a video filmed for the Heads Together campaign last year, Harry and William admitted that they hadn't spoken to each other enough in the past about their mother's death.

Harry said: 'We've never really talked about losing a mum at such a young age.'

'I always thought, what's the point of bringing up something that's only going to make you sad. It ain't going to change it. It ain't going to bring her back'.

Before the announcement of the birth of the little boy today, Diana was among the top names predicted if the couple had a little girl.

And a beaming Prince Harry confirmed the news of their firstborn on TV today, revealing Meghan gave birth to a baby boy early Monday morning.

In a statement, Harry said he's 'incredibly proud' of his wife, and that they have a healthy baby boy who weighs 7 pounds 3 ounces who has not yet been named.

Harry explained that as the child was overdue, they had been given them more time to contemplate names.

He added that he is ecstatic about the birth of their first child and said more details will be shared in the coming days.

'This little baby is absolutely to die for,' he said. 'I'm just over the moon.'

The infant will be seventh in line to the British throne and Queen Elizabeth II's eighth great-grandchild. Harry is the younger son of Prince Charles, the next in line to the throne, and the late Princess Diana, who died in a Paris car crash in 1997.

The child will be eligible for dual British-U.S. citizenship if Meghan and Harry want to go through the application process. </s> After what feels like an eternity of waiting and speculating, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have announced the birth of their first child.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have had a son, who is the eighth great-grandchild of the Queen, and was born at 5:26am on Monday 6 May after many initially though he’d been born earlier in secret at Frogmore Cottage – the Sussexes’ home on the Windsor Estate.

However it turns out that the little sprog was just a little overdue, and after Meghan was reportedly rushed to Portland Hospital in secret, the 7lb 3oz royal was born.

Given the new royal baby still doesn’t have a name, until one is announced by Harry and Meghan, the odds are all we have to entertain ourselves…

While Arthur was the front-runner yesterday, Alexander has become the new odds-on favourite name for the new royal baby, with the bookies claiming that it’s 7/2 that Meghan and Harry will choose that name.

The next most likely name is James, at 4/1 followed by Arthur at 5/1, and Spencer, which was Princess Diana’s maiden name, at 11/2.

The favourite Alexander is a name with Greek origins which loosely means ‘Defender of the people’ – an apt name for a royal to be sure.

Alexander is also a name with something of a royal history, with Prince George, Duke of Kent’s (1902-1942) full name having been George Edward Alexander Edmund, and Prince Harry and Meghan’s nephew Prince George of Cambridge’s full name being George Alexander Louis.

It’s tradition for royals to take the names for their children from other royals who have come before them, so this link to royal history could strengthen the name’s position as the most likely choice.

However, until the official announcement of the child’s name, all we can do is speculate…

To stay up-to-date with the latest royal baby news, visit our royal baby page.

MORE: The new royal baby’s weight compared to cousins Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis

MORE: Little boy gives royal baby reporter the middle finger in Windsor </s> Queen Elizabeth's wedding gift is in for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle!

The royal family announced Saturday — hours before the prince and his American fiancée tie the knot — that the queen has given the title of Duke of Sussex to Harry. Markle will thus be known as the Duchess of Sussex after the two marry at St. George's Chapel in Windsor, England. Dukedom is the highest title in the British peerage system and is reserved for members of the royal family.

"The Queen has today been pleased to confer a Dukedom on Prince Henry of Wales," a statement from the family said. "Prince Harry thus becomes His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex, and Ms. Meghan Markle on marriage will become Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex."

The last Duke of Sussex with Queen Victoria's third son Prince Arthur, who, like Harry, had a military career and was married in 1879 to Princess Louise Margaret.
Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, name their son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.