A prayer for the new royal baby has been released by the Church of England, asking God to surround the family with “the light of hope and the warmth of your love”.
The prayer also asks for “patience and wisdom” for William and Catherine to “cherish and love” their new son.
In an online message, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said: “Delighted for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as they welcome their baby boy. May God bless them all with love, health and happiness.”
Bells
The royal baby, whose name has yet to be announced, was born yesterday at 4.24pm at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London.
The boy is third in line to the throne and his birth is being marked with the ringing of Westminster Abbey’s bells.
The Duke of Cambridge said he and his wife “could not be happier”.
Thanks
The full prayer from the Church of England reads: “God our Creator, who knows each of us by name and loves us from all eternity: we give you thanks for new life and human love.
“Bless William and Catherine as they welcome their son into the world.
“Give them patience and wisdom to cherish and love him as he grows.
“Surround the family with the light of hope and the warmth of your love today and always; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”