Royal baby: Meghan Markle has given birth and the family are 'delighted'

The Duchess of Sussex has given birth to a baby boy.

A statement released by Buckingham Palace said: "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex was safely delivered of a son at 0526hrs.

"The baby weighs 7lbs 3oz.

"The Duke of Sussex was present for the birth.

"The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Earl Spencer have been informed and are delighted with the news.

"The Duchess's mother, Doria Ragland, who is overjoyed by the arrival of her first grandchild, is with Their Royal Highnesses at Frogmore Cottage.

"Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well."

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have kept up appearances throughout Meghan's pregnancy (Getty Images)

The name of the baby, who is seventh in line to the throne, will be announced at a later date.

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Harry and Meghan's baby will be seventh in line to the throne and the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh's eighth great-grandchild, and a fourth grandchild for the Prince of Wales.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their wedding day (Christopher Furlong/PA Wire)

The couple also shared the news with a post on the Sussex Royal Instagram page.

A post read: "It's a boy! The Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to announce the birth of their child."

Another post said: "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."

Ahead of the birth, the duke and duchess made a personal decision to keep the arrangements private, amid speculation they had opted for a home birth at their new home Frogmore Cottage, close to the Queen's Windsor Castle home.

It means there will not be the traditional baby on the steps photo and it is likely to be a few days before Royal fans get the chance to catch a glimpse of the new arrival.

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