London: The announcement from Kensington Palace, the official residence of Prince William and his wife, came in a news release via email late Monday. The bulletin was shortly thereafter posted on a wooden easel in front of Buckingham Palace, where media and observers crowded to get a peek at it.

“Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 4:24 pm. Her Royal Highness and her son are both doing well,” the release said.

“We could not be happier,” Prince William said in a brief statement Monday evening. William spent hours at Kates bedside during the delivery.

With the birth of a new prince, Britain is set to be ruled by three generations of kings after Queen Elizabeth is no longer on the throne.

It is the first time since the latter days of Queen Victorias reign that there have been three heirs in the direct line of succession to the throne. They are Prince Charles, Prince William and now the new prince whose name, the palace said, would be delivered in the fullness of time.

Prince Henry of Wales, far better known as Prince Harry, had been third in the line of succession. He has now been knocked back a spot to 4th with Prince Andrew moving down from 4th place to 5th place.