Royal baby first picture: Kate Middleton and Prince William leave hospital with the future king

The royal baby left hospital with his parents, who revealed they had not yet chosen him a name.

Prince William and Kate Middleton waved and smiled broadly to the waiting cameras as they held their prince on the steps of the private Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London, 26 hours after he was delivered, weighing 8lbs 6oz.

Kate Middleton said: “It’s been very emotional. Any parent will know what this feeling is like.”

Prince William had followed the steps his parents Charles and Diana took with him 31 years ago, when he was born there on June 21, 1982.

“He’s a big boy, quite heavy. We’re still working on a name,” he told reporters.

“Well he has a good pair of lungs on him, that’s for sure.”

Confirming that the prince was overdue, the Duke said: “I will remind him of his tardiness when he is older.”

With a huge smile Prince William then added: “He’s got her looks thankfully.” to which Kate Middleton responded: “No, no, no I’m not sure about that.”

The royal baby is now third in the line of succession, displacing Prince Harry to fourth and the Duke of York to fifth, although he may not become sovereign for half a century or more.

Prince William, Kate Middleton and Baby Cambridge will travel home to Kensington Palace tonight, spending two weeks there while the Duke is on paternity leave.

Huge crowds of well-wishers and journalists from all over the world have been waiting outside the west London hospital ward for weeks, first to be there when Kate Middleton went into labor and now as the couple left with her firstborn child.

Meanwhile, this evening the Queen told guests at a Buckingham Palace reception she was “thrilled” at the birth of her great-grandson.

Earlier the royal baby’s grandparents met him for the first time, and soon afterwards Kensington Palace confirmed the Duke, Duchess and baby would leave this evening.

Kate Middleton’s sister Pippa is said to be there waiting for her.

Soon afterwards Kensington Palace confirmed: “Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge will be discharged this evening.

“The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their son will travel home to Kensington Palace.

“Their Royal Highnesses would like to reiterate their thanks to the hospital for the care and treatment they have all received.”

Earlier Carole Middleton described her grandson, the future king, as ‘absolutely beautiful’ after she and her husband visited him.

The Duchess of Cambridge’s parents said their first grandchild is “absolutely beautiful” and his parents are coping “fabulously”.