Just as they have done every day for the past three weeks, crowds assembled outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s hospital in Paddington this morning, this time hoping to catch the first look at the royal baby.
Braving scorching heat and pouring rain all in the space of an hour, dedicated royal watchers and patient members of the press clamoured to get the best vantage point as rumours did the rounds that the Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and their new baby boy were about to exit the hospital, but they’ll have to stick around for a while longer.
Kensington Palace has released a statement thanking staff at the Lindo Wing and the rest of the hospital for the care they have received, but indicated the family would be staying in St Mary’s care for at least the rest of the day.
“We would like to thank the staff at the Lindo Wing and the whole hospital for the tremendous care the three of us have received,” the Palace said.
“We know it has been a very busy period for the hospital and we would like to thank everyone — staff, patients and visitors — for their understanding during this time.”
A Kensington Palace spokeman said “mother, son and father are all doing well this morning.”
The Palace provided no update on names for baby Cambridge, or any news of visitors the family had received, but indicated they would not be gracing the Lindo’s front steps for a while longer.
The family are expected to remain in the private wing where the Prince was delivered yesterday afternoon until later this evening or Wednesday morning at least.
Crowds swarmed to get close to barriers set up around the Lindo Wing while patient hospital staff kept order as a rumour swept the surrounds that Kate’s hairdresser had entered the wing, leaving onlookers expecting an imminent departure.
There was no sign of the crowd thinning as rain began to pour and umbrellas shot up above some while others waited out the wet.
Dedicated royal watcher 40-year-old Amele Getanah braved the downpour waving her union jack flag hoping to greet the young royal family when they made their departure.
“I waited a long time to see them at the wedding, for the Queen’s jubilee, I was in the rain at Buckingham Palace last night and it’s always worth it,” she told The Weekly.
“I just want to wish them well — it makes me happy.”
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