The Countess of Wessex has given birth to a baby boy

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS ISSUED BY THE PRESS SECRETARY TO THE QUEEN

Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex today was safely delivered of a baby boy by caesarean section at 4.20pm, at Frimley Park NHS Hospital in Surrey. The weight of the baby was 6lbs 2oz. The Earl of Wessex was present.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, and Mr Christopher Rhys-Jones, have been informed and are delighted with the news.

The medical team attending Her Royal Highness were Mr Marcus Setchell (Surgeon Gynaecologist to The Queen); Mr Gareth Beynon (Consultant Obstetrician/gynaecologist); Dr Abdus Malik (Consultant Neonatologist), Mrs Grazia Sanar (Neonatal Nurse Practitioner); Dr Claire Edkins (Consultant Anaesthetist) and Mrs Adrienne Price (Head of Midwifery) and Mrs Mandy Kriehn (Operating Department Practitioner).

The Countess of Wessex is expected to remain in hospital for the next few days.

Their Royal Highnesses already have one daughter, The Lady Louise, who was born at Frimley Park NHS Hospital on 8th November 2003.

This baby is The Queen's eighth grandchild, and the eighth in line to the Throne.