1st LD Writethru: Britain's Princess Kate gives birth to third child

LONDON, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Princess Kate on Monday gave birth to a boy, her third child, who is the fifth in line to the British throne.

The child is the second son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Kate, 36, safely delivered a son around 11 a.m. local time in the Lindo Wing at St. Mary's Hospital, Kensington Palace announced.

The baby weighs over 3.5 kg and both the mother and child "are doing well", according to the statement.

The Duchess was admitted to hospital early in the morning on Monday with the announcement of the birth coming shortly after 1:00 p.m.

The palace said Prince William was present for the birth, and members of both families had been informed.

Media and some royal fans were waiting outside the hospital for the news.

The name of the new child has not yet been announced. BBC reported that favourite names at the bookmakers include Mary, Alice, Alexandra, Elizabeth and Victoria for a girl and Arthur, Albert, Frederick, James and Philip for a boy.

The newborn will join siblings Prince George, 4, and Princess Charlotte, who turns 3 on May 2. He is Queen Elizabeth II's sixth great-grandchild.

Kensington Palace announced Kate's pregnancy in September. Early in her pregnancy Kate suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum, or extreme morning sickness, as she did with her first two pregnancies. Enditem