Royal fans sang "He's a jolly good fellow" for future King of England

London: One short, typed message was placed on an easel outside Buckingham Palace and many royal fans could finally exhale. They then sang - "He's a jolly good fellow."

The message from Kensington Palace read, "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 4:24 pm today."  

Fans milling about outside Buckingham Palace rushed towards the gates when the official announcement was put up.

The successor to the British throne - third in line after the Queen, Prince Charles and his father Prince William - was born at the hospital where his father was 31 years ago.

It is reported that the royal couple will remain in the hospital overnight. They may well be quite oblivious to the intense media spotlight on the birth of the royal heir.

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As many other events in Britain, this too was very carefully choreographed. A man from the royal household delivered a note to the Queen telling her about the birth.

The name of the royal baby was intensely speculated upon in the past few days. A spokesman for Kensington Palace said the names of the baby would be announced in due course.

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Part of the crowd outside Buckingham palace were Indian students for the London School of Economics.

"Yeah, I knew it...I had already guessed and then I was happy to know that I'd won the bet," said one of the students.

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Also, Americans, who all seem to have an eternal fascination for the royal family, were there.
"In America we don't have anything like the Royals. That's why we are excited at this," said an exchange student from Iowa.

Prime Minister David Cameron, speaking outside Downing Street, said, "It is an important moment in the life of our nation but I suppose, above all, it's a wonderful moment for a warm and loving couple who've got a brand new baby boy".

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Many royalists were there too - adding to the colour and the chaos. One told this reporter about their love for the royals and why they sympathised with Prince William who "had gone through so much in his life."

It will rapidly be time to say goodbyes for journalists from dozens of countries who were camped outside the Lindo Wing of St. Mary's hospital in London to report on the birth of this baby.