Kate and Will spent last night at St. Mary's Hospital, no doubt guzzling Champagne and laughing at all the weirdos camped outside their frosted windows (or, you know, sleeping soundly for the first time in weeks). They're expected to make their grand exit sometime today, providing photographers with the money shot of the couple and their wee, blue-blanket-wrapped bundle of joy on the steps of the Lindo Wing.
The name still hasn't been announced, and precedent suggests it may not be for some time: Prince William's name wasn't released for a week, while Prince Charles and Princess Beatrice took a month and two weeks, respectively. But in the meantime, the royal couple have released a statement thanking the hospital — as well as all their fellow patients — for putting up with all the fuss:
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.
Clarence House also confirmed via Twitter, "Mother, son and father are all doing well this morning."
The next steps: Will gets two weeks of state-mandated paternity leave, and the couple will retire to Kensington Palace. As their 21-room apartment there is currently undergoing renovations, they're not expected to stay there for more than a few days, but the press seems divided on where they'll go next. Possibilities include one of Queen Elizabeth’s secluded estates, either Sandringham (in Norfolk) or Balmoral (in Scotland), or the Middletons' home in Bucklebury where Kate spent most of her final days of pregnancy. Security is obviously a top priority.
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