The Duchess of Sussex is in labour, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.
The duchess went into labour during the early hours of Monday morning. Prince Harry was by her side.
Many royal fans will likely be keeping a close eye on social media for any further updates about the birth, especially following the recent launch of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's official Instagram account, keen to find out anything and everything about the birth of the royal couple's first child.
There are many details we already know, including the fact that the royal baby will unlikely be granted a royal title.
Please allow a moment for the blog to load...
Shutterstock royal photographer Tim Rooke tells The Independent that he's not certain when the first photographs of the royal baby will be released.
“I don't know when I will be allowed to take the first pictures. I imagine the first pictures will be released via the royal rota," Rooke says.
"They may decide to do a photo call, which could be quite a while from now, as I imagine that the christening will also be private."
Rooke adds that he believes the public will be "genuinely happy" for Prince Harry and Meghan.
"People seem to have a genuine affection for Harry and Meghan," the photographer adds.
While it has been announced that a royal baby boy has been born, the first pictures of Baby Sussex won't be unveiled for a few days.
In April, Buckingham Palace released a statement revealing that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex "have taken a personal decision to keep the plans around the arrival of their baby private".
While delivering a statement in Windsor following the birth of his son, the Duke of Sussex expressed his admiration for his wife, the Duchess of Sussex.
"How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension," Prince Harry said.
Buckingham Palace states that the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and other members of the royal family have been informed of the birth.
The Duchess of Sussex's mother, Doria Ragland, is with the royal couple and their newborn baby at Frogmore Cottage.
Prince Harry issued a statement announcing that he and Meghan have had a baby boy.
"I'm very excited to announce that Meghan and myself had a baby boy earlier this morning, a very healthy boy," the duke said in Windsor.
"Mother and baby are doing incredibly well. It's been the most amazing experience."
"We are pleased to announce that Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their firstborn child in the early morning on May 6th, 2019. Their Royal Highnesses’ son weighs 7lbs. 3oz," the statement reads on the @sussexroyal Instagram account.
"The Duchess and baby are both healthy and well, and the couple thank members of the public for their shared excitement and support during this very special time in their lives.
"More details will be shared in the forthcoming days."
The Duchess of Sussex has given birth to a baby boy.
The announcement was made on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's official Instagram account.
Royal commentator Omid Scobie tells The Independent that there were "cheers" across Windsor as the news was announced that the Duchess of Sussex is in labour.
"Given the past tense used to describe Meghan being in labour this morning, we are expecting an announcement from the palace about the birth imminently," Scobie adds.
The royal family has said an "announcement will be made soon" regarding the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's first child.
As the world prepares to welcome Baby Sussex, take a look back at a timeline of the Duchess of Sussex's pregnancy:
Many royal fans have been expressing their excitement following the news that the Duchess of Sussex is in labour.
"May she have an easy labour and a healthy baby," one person wrote on Twitter.
Buckingham Palace has confirmed that the Duchess of Sussex went into labour in the early hours of the morning.
Prince Harry was by her side.
Sky News are reporting that Meghan Markle is in labour.
Their royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills has tweeted to say she went into labour this morning and that Prince Harry is with her.
One royal fan in Windsor has created an artistic tribute to the Duchess of Sussex, painting her as a saint holding the royal baby.
On the morning of the first bank holiday Monday of May, Windsor is looking very quiet.
However, with the arrival of the royal baby imminent, excitement is likely to build very soon.
Throughout her pregnancy, the Duchess of Sussex has raised the sartorial stakes, wearing ensembles by designers including Givenchy, Reiss and Aritzia.
To take a look at 11 of Meghan's best maternity looks, click the link below.
While the details surrounding how the Duchess of Sussex will give birth are being kept private – as is Prince Harry and Meghan's right – some people have speculated that the duchess may have hired a doula to help during her pregnancy.
A doula is an individual who provides continuous support for a family through pregnancy, birth and the early days of parenthood.
Read more about what a doula is and how they support families during pregnancy and parenthood.
Royal photographers across the world are gearing up in preparation for the arrival of Baby Sussex.
Chris Jackson, a royal photographer for Getty Images, explains that capturing the moments surrounding royal births is an "exciting and joyous time".
"There is always an electric atmosphere around these moments, it's amazing to be at the epicentre of an exciting story everyone is talking about," Jackson tells The Independent.
Maud Garmy, a royal reporter from Paris, has been waiting in Windsor for updates on the royal baby for two weeks, since Monday 22 April.
"Obviously we didn't want to miss anything, but I'm pretty sure I didn't miss anything," the reporter said.
