Royals

Prince William welcomes his brother Prince Harry to the ‘sleep deprivation society that is parenting’

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge say they're looking forward to meeting their new nephew in the coming days.
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Prince William has joked that he’s very pleased to welcome his brother Prince Harry to the “society of sleep deprivation” in becoming a first-time dad.

In he and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge’s, first interview with British press since the birth of Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’s, baby boy on Monday, William was all smiles as he shared that he was “obviously thrilled, absolutely thrilled, and obviously looking forward to seeing them in the next few days when things have quietened down”.

He added: “I’m very pleased and glad to welcome my own brother into the sleep deprivation society that is parenting.”

Asked if he had any advice for Harry, he said: “Plenty of advice… but no, I wish him all the best and I hope the next few days they can settle down and enjoy having a newborn in their family and the joys that come with that.”

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, added, “It’s such a special time. Louis and Charlotte just having had their birthdays, it’s such a great time of year to have a baby. Spring is in the air.

“We’re looking forward to meeting him and finding out what his name is going to be. It’s really exciting for both of them. These next few weeks are always a bit daunting the first time round so we wish them all the best.”

Harry and Meghan are expected to introduce their son to the world on Wednesday, in a brief photo call, where his name will also be announced.

He was born at 5.26am on Monday May 6, UK time. Details about where he was born have not been confirmed by the Palace although there are reports that he was delivered at Portland Hospital, where Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie were born.

In a stark departure from the births of William and Catherine’s three children, Prince George, five, Princess Charlotte, four, and Prince Louis, one, who we got to see just hours after they were born, Meghan and Harry have asked for absolute privacy surrounding the birth of their child. The Palace did not even announce that Meghan had gone into labour until eight hours after she had given birth.

The couple explained in a statement released by Buckingham Palace in April, “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very grateful for the goodwill they have received from people throughout the United Kingdom and around the world as they prepare to welcome their baby… Their Royal Highnesses have taken a personal decision to keep the plans around the arrival of their baby private.

“The Duke and Duchess look forward to sharing the exciting news with everyone once they have had an opportunity to celebrate privately as a new family,” the statement concludes.

The baby’s paternal grandfather, Prince Charles, who is currently on an official visit to Germany, has said: “We couldn’t be more delighted at the news and we’re looking forward to meeting the baby when we return.”

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