Royal baby: William and Kate leave hospital with new son

William and Kate began their new lives as parents, cradling their baby prince and posing for pictures on the steps of the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London.

The Duchess held her son first and the couple looked relaxed and smiled broadly as the world's media captured the moment.

William later held his son and walked forward with his wife to answer a few questions. He began by joking: "He's got a good pair of lungs on him, that's for sure. He's a big boy, he's quite heavy. We are still working on a name so we will have that as soon as we can."

He added: "It's the first time we have seen him really so we are having a proper chance to catch up." The Duchess, who still had a bump under her summer dress, said: "It's very emotional, it's such a special time. I think any parent will know what this feeling feels like."

Her husband agreed: "It's very special." He added: "I'll remind him of his tardiness when he's a bit older. I know how long you've all been standing here so hopefully the hospital and you guys can all go back to normal now and we can go and look after him."

A crowd of well-wishers who were gathered at the entrance to Kensington Palace cheered as the Duke and Duchess arrived home with their baby. William smiled from behind the wheel and Kate, who was sitting on the back seat, waved with her son next to her in a baby seat.

Speaking outside hospital, William said: "He's got her looks, thankfully," while Kate replied: "No, no, I'm not sure about that." Joking about his apparent lack of hair the Duke said about his son: "He's got way more than me, thank God".

The couple's good humour continued during their brief questioning from the press with Kate revealing that her husband was a hands on dad. Asked about changing nappies William said: "We've done that already," and Kate said "he's done his first nappy already".

The Duke looked at ease holding his son and after speaking to the press for a few minutes returned inside the Lindo Wing with his wife. The couple soon emerged with their son in a baby seat and William carefully fitted it onto the backseat of a Range Rover beside his wife before driving his family home.

The Duchess said it was "a special time for any parent" while William joked that the newborn child has "got her looks, thankfully."

Earlier today, Prince Charles described his new grandson as "marvellous" as he and his wife the Duchess of Cornwall travelled from East Yorkshire to see the baby and his parents William and Kate.

Charles and Camilla spent almost 30 minutes with the Cambridges and the baby prince in the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London.

As the heir to the throne left the building, he was asked how his first grandchild was and replied: "Marvellous, thank you very much, absolutely wonderful - you wait and see, you'll see in a minute."

Prince William this afternoon thanked hospital staff for the "tremendous" care they had received. George and James, both traditional royal names, are favoured choices with bookmakers for the new prince.

Gun salutes sounded across London to celebrate the arrival while messages of congratulation flooded in from across the globe.

Cheering crowds outside Buckingham Palace watched a special changing of the guard ceremony as the sounds of Congratulations were played out.

William and Kate spent the night at hospital bonding with their son. He was delivered at 4.24pm yesterday weighing 8lbs 6oz.

They were meeting senior aides from the royal household and their medical team today. Kate's hairdresser was also seen at St Mary's Hospital, apparently preparing her for the world's media.

The Duke was at the Duchess's bedside when she gave birth at the Lindo Wing of the hospital in London. The couple waited four hours before announcing the birth of their son – who is the heaviest future king to be born in recent history.

William telephoned his family to tell them the news, speaking personally to the Queen, Charles and Prince Harry. News of the birth was issued in a statement by Kensington Palace that said: "Her Royal Highness and her child are doing well."

Lord Lieutenant Algy Heber-Percy, the Queen's representative in Shropshire, said: "This is wonderful news and we wish them all every possible happiness.

"Our county will certainly rejoice and now we look forward to seeing the first pictures of the new baby.

"Shropshire is very fond of Prince William who so obviously enjoyed his time here at RAF Shawbury and now they have made it such a happy Monday."