ROYAL BIRTH UPDATE: The New Boy's Name is Prince George Alexander Louis.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have this evening revealed that their son - now the third in line to the throne -  will be called George.

Kensington Palace revealed the baby's full name will be George Alexander Louis. William and Kate's baby will be known as Prince George and as third in line to the throne will one day be king.

Kensington Palace said in a short statement: 'The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to announce that they have named their son George Alexander Louis.

'The baby will be known as His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge.'



By naming their son George - which is synonymous with British kings - it looks like the couple have followed tradition. However, royal sources say the baby's names are not supposed to be symbolic but that the couple genuinely like them.

The name George is synonymous with British kings.

It has come to represent the continuity of the monarchy and remained the bookmakers' favourite in the name-guessing stakes from the moment Kate's pregnancy was announced.

Six King Georges have worn the crown throughout history since the German-born George I, the first Hanoverian king of Great Britain, acceded to the throne in 1714.

The first name of the last King George - George VI - was actually Albert and he was known to his family as 'Bertie' but he selected George - his fourth name - to use as Sovereign.



He was the much-loved father of the present Queen and the new Prince George of Cambridge's great-great grandfather. George VI chose George in honour of his father George V and to create the impression of stability after the scandal caused by the abdication of his brother Edward VIII.


George is also the fourth name of the Prince of Wales - the baby's grandfather. Even Edward VIII had George among his seven names.

The name means farmer or earth worker. It was the 12th most popular name for boys born in England and Wales in 2011.

St George, a fourth-century Christian martyr, is the patron Saint of England and represents honour, bravery and gallantry. The legend of George slaying a dragon and rescuing an innocent maiden is medieval.



There has only been one other Prince of Cambridge and he was also called George.