THE Archbishop of Canterbury was among the millions of people on social media who congratulated the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the birth of their baby boy, on Monday.

The Duchess gave birth to a boy, weighing 7 lbs 3 oz, in an unnamed London hospital at 5.26 a.m. on Bank Holiday Monday. The news was announced by Buckingham Palace nine hours later — respecting the couple’s wishes to keep the birth private.

The notice, which was also displayed within the gates of the Palace, read: “The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Earl Spencer have been informed and are delighted with the news.

“The Duchess’s mother, Doria Ragland, who is overjoyed by the arrival of her first grandchild, is with Their Royal Highnesses at Frogmore Cottage. Her Royal Highness and the baby are both doing well.”

The announcement — “it’s a boy!” — on the official Instagram account of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex received 2.7 million likes within the first 24 hours.

The baby made his first appearance with his parents in St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle in Berkshire, on Wednesday. “It’s magic, it’s pretty amazing,” the Duchess said. He has been named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

Speaking in the grounds of Windsor Castle on Monday evening, the Duke, Prince Harry, who was present at the birth, said that he was “absolutely thrilled” by the arrival of their son. “Mother and baby are doing incredibly well.” 

Their son will be seventh in line to the throne.

Archbishop Welby, who married the couple in St George’s Chapel, Windsor, last May, posted on social media: “Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the birth of their baby boy. May God bless the new family with love, health and happiness.”

The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States, the Most Revd Michael Curry, who preached at the couple’s wedding, told CNN: “It’s a big deal because we all watched the wedding and everyone enjoyed and celebrated with them as they began their life together as a family and now to have a baby born that’s a cause for rejoicing anytime — no matter who the baby is.

“This baby is kind of special for all of us because we all saw his parents get married together and that’s a particular blessing.”