Royal baby: Royal baby boy born

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have received their first visitors after the birth of their son - the duchess's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton.

Leaving the hospital after more than an hour, Mrs Middleton told reporters the baby was "absolutely beautiful".

It is thought the new family will leave this evening or early on Wednesday.

Gun salutes in Green Park and the Tower of London and the ringing of bells at Westminster Abbey have marked the birth of the third in line to the throne.

Mrs Middleton mother and baby were "both doing really well - we are so thrilled".

She added her first cuddle with her new grandson had been "amazing".

Earlier the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired a 41-gun salute in Green Park at 14:00 BST, after riding past Buckingham Palace.

At the same time, the Honourable Artillery Company - the City of London's army reserve regiment - fired a 62-gun salute from Gun Wharf at the Tower of London.

Meanwhile, the church bells of Westminster Abbey, where William and Catherine were married in April 2011, rung for three hours.

The Middletons arrived at private Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, in Paddington, west London, by taxi shortly after 15:00 BST.

They were greeted by its lead clinician, Jonathan Ramsay, and paused briefly on the steps for the mass of photographers gathered outside before going inside.

Carole and Michael Middleton were the first family visitors at the hospital since the birth

Prince William was at the hospital for the birth at 16:24 BST on Monday, and stayed with his wife and son overnight.

Kensington Palace said in a statement: "Mother, son and father are all doing well."

The couple said: "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.

"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."

Prince William had earlier said the couple "could not be happier" following the birth of the 8lb 6oz boy.

There has been no word yet on what the couple plan to name the prince.

undreds of members of the public are gathered outside St Mary's Hospital.

And at Buckingham Palace, royal watchers and tourists are queuing in the rain to catch a glimpse of the bulletin announcing the arrival of the royal baby, which is being displayed on an easel.

The news broke about four hours after the birth and the notice is to be displayed for 24 hours, which means it is likely to be removed just after 20:00 BST.

Bandsmen of the Scots Guards outside the palace brought a celebratory feel to the proceedings ahead of the Changing of the Guard, playing a version of Cliff Richard's Eurovision song Congratulations to the crowd.

Fresh from trying to get her photo of the easel, Robyn Holtham, 41, from Oxfordshire, described the birth as fantastic news.

"The Royal Family has been becoming more accessible with Kate and William, people can identify with them. Kate is a more normal person. They're just people who like to have fun and do normal things," she said.

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