This is when we'll first get to see the royal baby

From Cosmopolitan

After nine long months of waiting, the Duchess of Cambridge has finally given birth to her third child with Prince William. The Lindo Wing, where she's currently recovering following the labour, was prepped and ready to go a couple of weeks in advance of the baby boy's birth - its railings had a lick of paint and the media pen was all set up for eager journalists to camp outside.

But with Kate having given birth, when can we expect to see the new arrival for ourselves?

Unsurprisingly, the birth of a new heir to the throne (this baby will become fifth in line - behind it's grandfather Prince Charles, its dad Prince William, its older brother Prince George and its older sister Princess Charlotte) is viewed as quite a big deal, which means his announcement and debut to the world is steeped in tradition and protocol - but with a modern twist.

Kensington Palace's Instagram and Twitter presence has gone up a gear in recent years, and it was through these technological means that the world was informed this morning that Kate had given birth to baby number three. Which was convenient, because most of us refresh our Twitter and Instagram feeds more frequently than we check the news these days.

Following the birth itself, the Queen must always be the first person to hear news of the baby's safe delivery, and again, that was the case with the new Prince's birth. Having been born at 11.01am, but not publicly announced until 1pm, Prince William and Kate Middleton were given a few hours to bond with their new baby in peace (as well as to inform immediate family and loved ones). It was following that that a press release was sent out to media organisations via email containing information about the time of birth as well as the gender of the royal baby.

Next comes the traditional formality of placing the birth announcement on an easel outside Buckingham Palace, which has just happened for royal baby number 3. The announcement - which in times gone by was hand-written, but nowadays is typed up - also confirms the gender, time of birth, and that both mother and child "are doing well". It will have been signed by doctors at the hospital, before being safely delivered back to the palace by car.

Excited royal fans often line up outside the palace to witness the easel for themselves.

Sadly, the public will be given little other information until Kate Middleton leaves the hospital with her new son and Prince William by her side. It's at this point they will be photographed on the steps of the Lindo Wing, which will be the world's first glimpse of Prince George and Princess Charlotte's little brother or sister.

How long after the birth this occurs, however, is dependent on how well Kate is feeling. Following the birth of George, she left hospital the next day, while with Charlotte it was on the same day. Because the new baby was born at 11am, it's likely his world debut will take place today, but this won't be confirmed until shortly before the royals leave the Lindo Wing.

When it comes to the baby's name, we'll likely have to wait a little bit longer. With both Prince George and Princess Charlotte, William and Kate waited until two days after the birth to formally announce the name. This will likely be released via press release and social media, just like the birth itself.

Roll on the pictures and the announcement of the name, in that case.

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