World awaits first glimpse of Kate and William's royal baby boy

 
All eyes are glued Tuesday to the hospital where Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and husband Prince William welcomed their first child, as a joyful public waits for its first glimpse of the new royal heir.

The baby boy was born at 4:24 p.m. on Monday, weighing 8 pounds, 6 ounces. A name has not yet been announced for the child, who is third in line to the throne.

The royal couple remained in the private Lindo Wing of St. Mary's Hospital in London overnight but hopes were high that they'd make an appearance as early as Tuesday.

If so, they will likely appear holding their son on the same steps where Diana, Princess of Wales, and Prince Charles gave the world its first sighting of Prince William 31 years ago.

The queen's gynecologist, Marcus Setchell, is at the hospital carrying out medical assessments of Catherine following the birth, Kensington Palace said Tuesday. The palace expects to announce more details later in the morning.

Multigun salutes will be held on Tuesday afternoon to mark the birth of the new royal heir. The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery in Green Park is expected to release 41 rounds, while the Honorable Artillery Company at the Tower of London will sound 62 rounds.

The bells of Westminster Abbey, where William and Kate were married a little over two years ago, will also peal for over three hours, in keeping with royal tradition.

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It's not yet known where William and Catherine will take their baby after their discharge from hospital, but it may be hard to escape the world's interest.

The news of the boy's birth, announced about four hours after the event Monday, prompted cheers and celebrations among crowds of well-wishers gathered outside Buckingham Palace.

Social media networks were also abuzz with the news, which made headlines around the world.

'We could not be happier'

The new parents spent some time with their baby before calling family members -- starting with the queen -- to announce the birth, a Kensington Palace source told CNN royal correspondent Max Foster.

"We could not be happier," said Prince William, according to the Kensington Palace source.

Prince William remained at Catherine's side throughout the labor and the baby was born naturally, not via a C-section, the source said.

"Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well," read an official bulletin placed on a gilded easel outside Buckingham Palace, where the queen had returned Monday afternoon.

People from all over the world had gathered outside the palace to await news of the birth. At least one group of well-wishers brought flowers, champagne and a card for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

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The celebrations for the arrival of the new prince -- whose title will be His Royal Highness Prince (the baby's name) of Cambridge -- were hard to miss in the capital.

The fountains at Trafalgar Square were dyed blue, the BT Tower, a London landmark, flashed the words "It's a boy," and the London Eye was illuminated in patriotic red, white and blue.

Further afield, Canada -- where the British monarch is head of state -- turned its side of the Niagara Falls blue to mark the birth, and the CN Tower in Toronto was lit up the same color.

Betting on a name

The baby is third in line for the throne now occupied by the Queen Elizabeth II. Her son, Charles, will succeed her, followed by his son, William.

Many bets are being placed as the wait continues for the baby's name to be announced. British bookmakers Ladbrokes have James as favorite, followed by Henry and George, Philip, Alexander and Richard.

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The baby's name may be announced when the family leaves the hospital, CNN's Max Foster reported. Prince William's name was announced a few days after birth, his brother Harry's on departure from hospital.

Some British parents have delayed naming their newborns in recent days in hopes of either copying or avoiding the royal name, he said.

It was a long wait for the media camped outside St. Mary's Hospital, but when the news of the birth finally came, the excitement of the moment was huge.

The Sun newspaper, Britain's bestselling tabloid daily, changed its masthead Tuesday to "The Son" to mark the occasion, above a picture of the official birth announcement, while the Daily Express and Telegraph emblazoned "It's a boy" across their front pages.

Members of the royal family also expressed their happiness at the safe delivery.

"Both my wife and I are overjoyed at the arrival of my first grandchild. It is an incredibly special moment for William and Catherine, and we are so thrilled for them on the birth of their baby boy," Prince Charles and wife Camilla said in a statement.

Photos: House of Windsor babies

The official British Monarchy twitter feed said: "The Queen and Prince Philip are delighted at the news of the birth of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's baby."

Charles Spencer, brother to the late Diana, Princess of Wales, welcomed the birth of the baby. "We're all so pleased: it's wonderful news," he said in a written statement.

"My father always told us how Diana was born on just such a blisteringly hot day, at Sandringham, in July, 1961. It's another very happy summer's day, half a century on."

"I'm sure that right across the country and indeed right across the commonwealth, people will be celebrating and wishing the royal couple well," said British Prime Minister David Cameron.

"It is an important moment in the life of our nation, but I suppose above all, it's a wonderful moment for a warm and loving couple who got a brand new baby boy," he said.