The parents of Prince William's wife Kate have visited her in hospital, becoming the first family members to see the couple's new baby as the rest of the world awaited a glimpse of the future British king.
First-time grandparents Carole and Michael Middleton arrived in a humble black taxi at the private Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London to visit the unnamed little boy, the third in line to the throne.
"He's absolutely beautiful. They're both doing very well and we're so thrilled," a beaming Carole Middleton told the massed ranks of international media who have camped outside the hospital for weeks.
Asked if she had suggested a name for the baby, she replied: "Absolutely not!"
Their arrival sparked hopes that the baby would soon be presented to the rest of the world, with palace officials saying William and Kate, both 31, could leave as early as Tuesday night.
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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge themselves earlier thanked hospital staff for their "tremendous care", in their first joint statement since the baby was born on Monday.
Congratulations have poured in from around the globe for the baby, a great-grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II who will one day reign over Britain and 15 other Commonwealth realms.
Cannon fire salutes rang out at Green Park and the Tower of London in celebration, while the bells at Westminster Abbey pealed across the capital for three hours.
The baby remains officially nameless, although bookmakers have picked George and James - traditional names that hark back to previous kings - as favourites.
"Mother, son and father are all doing well," a spokesman for Kensington Palace said on Tuesday morning.
