Royal birth: 'Joyous event' welcomed in Wales

Congratulations from Wales are continuing to be sent to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge after their son's birth.

The baby was born at 16:24 BST on Monday.

The couple have a home on Anglesey and the duke's colleagues at RAF Valley sent filmed messages of good wishes.

Welsh Secretary David Jones said the "whole of Wales" wished them well. First Minister Carwyn Jones wished them "all the very best".

Kensington Palace said the duchess and the baby, who weighed 8lb 6oz at his birth, were "doing well".

In a statement shortly after the birth was announced, David Jones said: "This is a joyous event and I was delighted to hear of the safe birth of our nation's newest prince.

"The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are already honorary Welsh people from living on Anglesey for so long and I know that the whole of Wales will join me in wishing them well in this new stage of their lives together."

First Minister Carwyn Jones said: "On behalf of the people of Wales I would like to congratulate the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their baby boy.

William is a search and rescue helicopter pilot on Anglesey

"The couple already have established and strong links with Wales, choosing Anglesey to start their married life, and they will always have a very warm welcome home here as a family.

"I would like to wish the Duke and Duchess all the very best as they enter their journey into parenthood."

On Tuesday, filmed messages of congratulations were sent by the duke's colleagues at RAF Valley on Anglesey, where he is a pilot with the search and rescue crews.

One joked that Fl Lt Wales was needed back for the football team.

The duke will have two weeks' paternity leave from the MoD, before returning to duty.

RNLI volunteers in Trearddur Bay, where the duke and duchess named the station's lifeboat in 2011, sent their best wishes to the royal couple.

Station spokesman Alf Pritchard said: "Everyone here at the station is thrilled. Prince William is our search and rescue colleague here on Anglesey, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were here for our special day when we named our lifeboat in 2011.

"It was a milestone in the station's history and all the volunteers at Trearddur Bay want to congratulate the couple on this new milestone in their family life. We wish the couple and the new addition to their family all the best."

Royal baby gets island's welcome

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have lived on Anglesey since 2010.

The royal baby was born at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, west London.

News of the birth was displayed on an ornate easel in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace, in line with tradition.

A bulletin - signed by the Queen's gynaecologist Marcus Setchell, who led the medical team that delivered the baby - was taken by a royal aide from St Mary's to the palace under police escort.

The Kensington Palace press release said the Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth.

The couple did not know the sex of their child before the birth

"The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and members of both families have been informed and are delighted with the news," it said.

The Prince of Wales, in a separate statement, said he was "enormously proud and happy to be a grandfather for the first time", adding that it was "an incredibly special moment for William and Catherine".

Last month, his father and the Duchess of Cornwall visited Wales for their annual summer tour.

Presiding Officer congratulates Duke and Duchess on new Royal arrival.

The National Assembly's Presiding Officer Rosemary Butler AM has sent a letter offering congratulations "to the joyous parents on the recent addition to your family".

Ms Butler wrote: "May you cherish this special time and know that the nation is also celebrating the safe arrival of this royal baby.

"We look forward to welcoming the newest member of the Royal Family to Wales in the near future."

Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies AM said the birth was "wonderful news", adding: "We wish them well with their new arrival and I am sure they will make a loving and caring family.

"I know the rest of the nation - along with the Royal Family - will be equally happy for them at this joyous time."

Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood said the birth of a baby was a "proud and precious moment" for parents and families.

"Becoming a mother is an amazing experience and so Plaid Cymru wishes the new mother, her baby and all those close to them well," she said.

Isle of Anglesey council chairman Councillor Gwilym O Jones said: "The young royals have lived and worked in our community for the past two years and I'm sure that the residents of Anglesey will join me in congratulating them on the birth of their son and wishing them well for the future."

The duke is vice patron of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and its group chief executive, Roger Lewis, said: "We are delighted for the royal couple and join the rest of the nation in offering our sincere best wishes and congratulations on this good news."