The British ambassador to Italy Christopher Prentice issued the following statement regarding the birth of a baby boy to Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and her husband Prince William, in London on 22 July:

“I am delighted to join the Royal Family and the British people in celebrating the birth of the first baby boy of the Duke and the Duchess of Cambridge. Two years after the royal wedding, today’s joyful event gives the young couple and the British Monarchy another exciting opportunity to look to the future”.

A name has not yet been announced for the child, who is third in line to the British throne.