New prince rules Britain's front pages

Prince William the Duke of Cambridge holds his new-born baby boy in front of the world's media outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London on July 23, 2013. The baby was born on Monday afternoon weighing eight pounds six ounces (3.8 kilogrammes). The baby, titled His Royal Highness, Prince (name) of Cambridge, is directly in line to inherit the throne after Charles, Queen Elizabeth II's eldest son and heir, and his eldest son William.


The first photographs of Britain’s new prince dominated newspaper front pages on Wednesday, with Princess Diana’s ring conspicuous on the hand of new mother Kate as she presented her son to the world.

Following the pomp and formality which followed Monday’s announcement of the birth of a baby boy for Prince William and his wife, Fleet Street struck a much more playful tone as it celebrated the new arrival’s first of a lifetime of public appearances.

Many of the papers, including the Daily Mirror, Daily Mail and the Times, carried a picture of the day-old baby apparently waving to the throng of photographers and well-wishers on Tuesday.

“Baby’s first royal wave” said the Daily Mail’s “magical picture souvenir” edition, while the Daily Mirror ran a similar headline “Royal wave? I’ve cracked it mum.” A special wrap-around cover of the Times featured Catherine carrying her new son under the headline “His first royal wave”.


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The Sun, which on Tuesday renamed itself The Son in honour of the birth, carried a close up photograph of the baby being held in Catherine’s arms and the headline “The Fresh Prince”.

Prominent in the shot is a diamond and sapphire engagement ring, previously worn by William’s late mother Diana, Princess of Wales.

Tuesday’s scene outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in London reminded many in the press of William’s introduction to the world by Diana and father Prince Charles at the same spot in 1982.

The Daily Star picked up upon William’s quip about the baby having more hair than him.

“Mum’s looks, dad’s heir,” said its headline.

The Daily Telegraph celebrated “Our little prince” while the Guardian splashed “Hello World” above a picture of the new family.

The Telegraph argued that the birth had secured the monarchy for the next 100 years.

“Last night, as the proud new parents showed off their baby to the world, we witnessed not just a happy personal event but the contemporary renewal of an ancient institution,” said its editorial.

“Republicans may not like it; but they have lost the argument for another century at least.” The Sun said the new baby was “a pride we can all share”.

“The iconic image of a beaming Kate and Wills cradling their day-old son captured the essence of a couple who have breathed new life into the monarchy,” it continued.

“The mood of national rejoicing is extraordinary”. -- AFP