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The Situation Room
It's A Boy: Britain's Royal Baby Arrives; Betting on the Royal Baby's Name
Aired July 22, 2013 - 17:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST: John, thanks very much.
Happening now, the breaking news we're following -- it's a boy. The world welcomes a new royal baby, third in line to the British throne. Just ahead, we go live to London, where all the excitement from this historic event is unfolding.
We want to welcome our viewers in the United States and around the world.
I'm Wolf Blitzer.
You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news
BLITZER: You're looking at extraordinary live pictures, mass crowds gathering at the gates of Buckingham Palace, celebrating the arrival of the first child, a son, born to Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, and her husband, Prince William.
Here's what we know so far. The baby boy was born at 4:24 p.m. London time, weighed in at eight pounds, six ounces. Prince William just issued a statement minutes ago saying -- and I'm quoting now -- he and Catherine "could not be happier."
This was the historic moment, just a short while ago, when the official bulletin announcing the arrival was displayed outside the palace.
CNN royal correspondent, Max Foster, is just outside St. Mary's Hospital.
He's joining us now with the very latest -- Max, a lot of excitement.
What is the very latest?
MAX FOSTER, CNN ROYAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the very latest is a statement, a very brief statement from Prince William himself, saying "We could not be happier." Also, a cryptic line. We're trying to clarify this. He'll be spending the evening at the hospital tonight, because we -- OK, I've just got confirmation he is staying overnight in the hospital.
This is a father who spent the whole labor with his wife, only the two of them and their medical team in the hospital.
So he's issued a statement. I don't think we're going to get any more tonight. Some word that he was going to come out. We're not getting any more tonight. He was going to come out and speak to the cameras. That's not going to happen.
So that's the final update. So we've heard from the prime minister and Prince Charles speaking on behalf of the family, as well, all delighted. Everyone is well. It was a natural birth in all -- from what we can tell. It certainly wasn't a C-section.
So it seems as though it went really smoothly, actually. And when we saw the doctors come out, the three royal doctors, they had big smiles on their faces. And I think that's probably the best sign that things went well.
BLITZER: So everybody knows the baby was born at 4:24 p.m. London time, weighs eight pound, six ounces. Now, everybody wants to know, what is the baby boy's name?
We don't know yet, Max.
But when are we going to find out?
FOSTER: Well, you know, you have to read between the lines when speaking to the palace aides. And I get the impression that they're going to do what they did with Prince Harry, and that was announce the name when Prince Harry left the hospital for the very first time. So that may happen tomorrow. We don't know what sort of condition the Duchess is in. Things seem to have gone well, so she's likely to leave tomorrow. We'll probably get the name tomorrow.
Or they could do what they did with Prince William and leave it for a few days. But the impression I got was that we'll see the couple on the doorstep with their new baby tomorrow and we'll get the name.
BLITZER: It said in the official statement -- and I'm quoting now -- "Her royal highness and the child are both doing well," which obviously is great, great news.
Max, don't go too far away. We're going to get back to you shortly.
Becky Anderson is outside Buckingham Palace, where a lot of folks say you can literally feel the excitement from the thousands who have gathered there -- Becky, what's it like?
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It's a wonderful atmosphere down here. There are people from...
(CHEERS)
ANDERSON: Cue.
It's a wonderful atmosphere down here. The sense of anticipation has been absolutely extraordinary all day. There are people from all over the world, not least Australia.
(CHEERS)
ANDERSON: These guys, Wolf, have actually brought presents and a card. Look at this -- flowers, champagne, all of this.
You've got the card.
What does this card say?
Hang on a minute. Hang on a minute. It says, "Dear Kate and Will, huge congrats on the birth of the bubba. Long live the King! from Bridget, Olivia and Jenna."
How about that?
That's going to be...
(CHEERS)
ANDERSON: -- going to be the...
(CHEERS)
ANDERSON: -- the first card to come to the happy family.
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: On, and they've gone with Frederick, because we were talking about that.
We may find out, guys, I've just found out from our world correspondent, it's likely we'll find out the name of the baby possibly tomorrow, when the happy couple leave.
You want it to be Frederick, right?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
ANDERSON: And what about you, sir?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm from Spain.
ANDERSON: You're from Spain?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, yes.
ANDERSON: What would you like the name to be?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Frederick.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Frederick.
(CHEERS)
ANDERSON: A friend of mine here, Wolf, from Sri Lanka. He was telling me a very interesting story earlier on. It is, tonight, a full moon here in London.
Sir, that means something to you, doesn't it?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. And I'm a Buddhist from Sri Lanka. And the Buddha was born 2,500 years ago on a full moon day.
ANDERSON: On the night of a full moon. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A full moon day.
ANDERSON: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And the thing is that he was born to a royal family.
ANDERSON: That's right.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But the family protected him because of the...
ANDERSON: (INAUDIBLE) their problems.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: -- because he was going to be a prominent person.
ANDERSON: That's right.
So what you were telling me earlier on, sir, is he thinks...
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: -- this baby will play a significant role in world peace and religion going forth?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: Thank you very much, indeed.
And we've got more Australians over the back there from near Sydney.
How excited were you guys today?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Edward. We want Edward.
ANDERSON: Edward?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: That's not bad. The odds on Edward aren't bad. I'm sorry, the odds on Frederick are pretty low. So I'm being told...
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: Where are you from, sir?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: New Jersey.
ANDERSON: From New Jersey.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right.
ANDERSON: Are you here by chance or did you...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Simply by chance.
ANDERSON: Yes?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But I have (INAUDIBLE) named Andrew.
ANDERSON: Yes?
Excellent.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Absolutely.
ANDERSON: OK. Yes, Andrew, I think that's not -- there are not bad odds on that.
My friend from Japan here this evening.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
ANDERSON: You're very excited.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, very exciting. It's so wonderful and exciting. Yes, a nice day.
(CHEERS)
ANDERSON: Believe me, I haven't got this cohort of people together just to show you this is a very international affair down here tonight. It really is, Wolf. And the atmosphere is absolutely wonderful. I know everybody here would love to see the happy couple, and, indeed, the queen, who is in residence.
But we know it's close to her bedtime at this point. I don't think there's any chance we're going to see her tonight. And she's off to Balmoral in the middle of the week to go on a holiday.
But, you know, it doesn't matter what happens here tonight. They've seen the gilded easel with this wonderful birth notice pasted on it. It's a real sense of occasion, a bit of pomp and ceremony. But then we do that really well over here in Britain -- Wolf.
BLITZER: At some point, this new family, the three of them, they'll be moving to where you are, over at Buckingham Palace.
We do have a good sense on the timing -- once they leave the hospital, where do they go?
When do they wind up at Buckingham Palace? ANDERSON: Yes. That's a really good question. By royal protocol, normally, the couple would bring the baby to the queen here. So we're expecting them to go to Kensington Palace, which is where they live in London. And if you know London, it's right in the center. It's just off to the left hand side of Hyde Park.
They're at St. Mary's at the moment. So it's literally a three or four minute drive from there.
And the odds are that they would leave the palace tomorrow and come here to see the queen, show the queen her new great grandchild. And then she will get off to Balmoral.
More cheers here. I think it's just as people see the birth notice.
So, yes, but, you know, we don't know any of that for sure. So we're sort of surmising some of this. Some of the royal protocol has been broken today -- a press announcement, which doesn't normally happen -- and some hasn't. So we'll just have to wait and see.
My bets are on for tomorrow, though.
BLITZER: Becky, we'll get back to you.
Becky reporting from Buckingham Palace.
Lots going on, obviously, over there.
The birth makes Prince Charles a grandfather now for the first time. He released a statement, among other things, saying, "Both my wife and I are overjoyed at the arrival of my first grandchild. It is an incredibly special moment for William and Catherine and we are so thrilled for them on the birth of their baby boy. Grandparenthood is a unique moment in anyone's life, as countless kind people have told me in recent months. So I am enormously proud and happy to be a grandfather for the first time and we are eagerly looking forward to seeing the baby in the near future."
A lovely statement, indeed.
BLITZER: We're following all the breaking news celebrating the birth of this new heir to the throne. Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge now, once again, the parents of an eight pound, six ounce boy, born about, what, six hours or so ago.
Let's bring in the British ambassador to the United States, Peter Westmacott, who has been following, obviously, what's going on.
First of all, congratulations to you, to the entire United Kingdom.
How excited are you, Mr. Ambassador?
PETER WESTMACOTT, BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO U.S.: Well, thank you, Wolf.
It's a very exciting day for all of us, as you can imagine, everybody in the United Kingdom, but also the fans and admirers of the royal family around the world.
There are lots of people here, who have been in touch with us already to signal their excitement and their congratulations.
And I feel a personal kind of joy about this, because I spent some years of my life, years ago, working for the grandparents, working for Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
So I think this is a very special moment for all of us in Britain...
BLITZER: (INAUDIBLE)...
WESTMACOTT: -- following on the Diamond Jubilee, following on the wedding, following on a, you know, a great run for the monarchy.
BLITZER: You -- and you've got a lovely tie on, too...
WESTMACOTT: Well...
BLITZER: -- celebrating this moment...
WESTMACOTT: -- why not?
BLITZER: -- for all of the U.K. And, indeed, so many people around the world.
Why is this so -- I mean it's, obviously, tremendously exciting in the United Kingdom, but all over the world, including here in the United States. And you now live here. You're the ambassador to the United States.
What does this mean?
WESTMACOTT: It's very hard for us to quantify why people around the world feel so special about it. But I think there must be something to do with the fact that the British royal family, the monarchy has been there for a thousand years, give or take 11 years in the middle, where we wandered with about a different form of political system.
But I think when people talk about the queen, there is -- there was one queen. This is a queen who will be there all the way through. She is somebody who has been on the throne for 60 years, commanded respect and affection around the world. And those different moments that we've had, royal weddings, royal births, they do give immense excitement, even in that horrible, cold weather, the Diamond Jubilee was something which enthused people around the world.
I can't really tell you why, but I think it's probably because of the longevity and the immense respect that people have for the way the queen has done the job.
BLITZER: She's 87 years old. You know, there's been speculation out there -- I don't know how credible it is -- that maybe she would step down, hand over the monarchy now that she has a great, great -- a great grandson, if you will.
Is that at all realistic, knowing the queen as you do?
WESTMACOTT: I think it's extremely unlikely. The rules of the monarchy and United Kingdom are that this is a response a responsibility, a duty, a job, if you like, for life. And I think for the sense that there could be an a la carte monarchy, where you step down when you feel that you've had enough or it's time to hand over the reigns, it's not the way the British monarchy works.
BLITZER: Explain to us what goes into selecting a name for this little baby boy.
WESTMACOTT: That's a really tall order. I notice that the bookies are giving a very short odds on Prince Hash Tag as the name for the next prince. Wolf not far behind.
No, I think they often look at names which have been the names of popular, famous, successful monarchs, queens, kings, in the past. There are certain names which apparently are going to be right at the top of the popularity list. They're talking of James. They're talking of George. They're talking of Alexander.
We don't have a clue. It will be up to the parents. The last time, it took a week before we heard what Prince William's name was. And given that the Duke and Duchess chose not to know the sex of the baby until it was born, I think they're entitled to a little bit of time before they decided what the baby is going to be called.
BLITZER: Certainly they are entitled.
But is this a decision that is made only by mom and dad, or do others weigh in?
WESTMACOTT: I think it's the parents who make up their minds.
BLITZER: They make a decision like this?
WESTMACOTT: They will probably consult one or two other generations just to check that there isn't some terrible piece of history or awful coincidence which they've forgotten about. But I think it will be their decision.
BLITZER: Now, your embassy is here in Washington, DC, on Massachusetts Avenue.
A beautiful embassy.
Will there be a place for Americans to go there and send their best wishes to the royal couple and the newborn baby boy?
WESTMACOTT: Wolf, we're already planning a celebration, to which you will, of course, be invited, in a couple of days' time.
What I think people should do if they're really interested is to go online. If you go to the Twitter feed for Clarence House, you will find that they're already there now, invitations to people to sign their name, to send their best wishes. That's probably the most efficient way of doing it. But If anybody wants to write in to the British embassy, we can promise that we will -- we will send best wishes to the palace.
The only thing I would say is that we have been specifically asked not to accept any gifts for the new baby.
BLITZER: Not to accept gifts.
WESTMACOTT: No gifts, yes.
BLITZER: But if people want to make a contribution...
WESTMACOTT: If they want...
BLITZER: -- in honor of the child or -- and the family, they can do that.
WESTMACOTT: To a children's charity of their choice, is what the Duke and Duchess have said.
BLITZER: Which is also nice...
WESTMACOTT: That way...
BLITZER: -- a nice thing.
WESTMACOTT: -- they'd be delighted. But they don't, please, want Teddy bears to be sent to the British embassy and then forwarded by diplomatic bag to London.
BLITZER: Now, in terms of the U.S.-UK relations at a sensitive, important moment like this, what do you do?
You're the ambassador in Washington.
Do you have to report to the State Department, to the White House?
Do you have to give official word of this or do they come to you?
What is your official responsibility with the birth of this child?
WESTMACOTT: I think my main responsibility is to celebrate in a way that is appropriate. I happen to be giving a big reception this evening, which I'm going to transform into an opportunity to drink a toast to the new baby.
BLITZER: Of course.
WESTMACOTT: And we will have Union Jacks and pictures of the Duke and Duchess there. We will be doing something specific in a couple of days time.
But in the old days, yes, I think I would have had to go down to the State Department with an official note and inform them of the birth of the fourth in line to the throne. These days, I think probably word has got around and I probably don't need to send a written communication to the State Department to inform them of the birth.
BLITZER: When you say fourth in...
WESTMACOTT: I think I got that wrong.
BLITZER: I think you meant third in line so...
(LAUGHTER)
WESTMACOTT: I think I meant third in line.
BLITZER: I've got -- all my research says that...
WESTMACOTT: Forgive...
BLITZER: -- third in line...
WESTMACOTT: -- forgive me.
BLITZER: We've got Prince Charles.
WESTMACOTT: Yes.
BLITZER: The Prince of Wales, Prince William, the dad. Now -- then the new baby.
WESTMACOTT: And regardless of whether...
BLITZER: And Prince Harry...
WESTMACOTT: -- it was a boy or a girl...
BLITZER: Prince Harry is fourth.
WESTMACOTT: Yes. And whether it had been a boy or a girl, that child would have been the third in line. You're right. I got it wrong.
BLITZER: Either way it would have been third in line, if...
WESTMACOTT: Either way...
BLITZER: -- even if it would have been a girl.
WESTMACOTT: We changed the law. We changed the law.
BLITZER: And the parents did not know, you know, the mom and dad did knot know what the baby's sex was?
WESTMACOTT: No, no. They chose not to know in advance of the birth.
BLITZER: Really?
That's a -- nowadays, everybody wants to know that kind of stuff. WESTMACOTT: Well, some parents do, some don't.
BLITZER: And they're doing fine and everything you heard -- mom and dad, everybody...
WESTMACOTT: Everybody...
BLITZER: -- everybody is doing fine.
The baby is doing fine?
WESTMACOTT: The baby is doing fine. The baby was rather large.
BLITZER: Eight pounds, six ounces. Nice.
WESTMACOTT: The baby is doing very well. And as we do on these things, we follow certain traditions. So an easel was put up in the front courtyard of Buckingham Palace with the announcement of the baby being born and that mother and baby were doing fine.
I understand that they will be spending one night at the hospital and that the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, will be there with them. And then they will come home tomorrow.
WESTMACOTT: So, we expect that shot, that photo tomorrow of mom and dad leaving the hospital, dad carrying the baby you think? As we remember --
WESTMACOTT: He hasn't yet told me, but I think it's possible.
BLITZER: That would be -- maybe dad carrying the baby.
WESTMACOTT: Maybe.
BLITZER: And at that point, we're told, they may -- they may share with us the name or names, because presumably it could be a bunch of names, first, second, third, fourth.
WESTMACOTT: Royal babies tend to have a bunch of names, as you say. I simply don't know when they are expecting to announce it, or I would say, that's because the last time round, and as I say, it did take them a week to decide on William's name. So, I think -- don't hold your breath, but maybe we'll be lucky.
BLITZER: We're continuing our coverage. Can you stay with us a little bit?
WESTMACOTT: I can stay for a little bit.
BLITZER: Thank you very much. Ambassador peter Westmacott is not going anywhere. When we come back, much more of the breaking news that we're following, including what the birth means for Prince Harry.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: We just got a statement from the president of the United States. The White House releasing this statement only a moment or so ago. It's entitled "Statement by the President." Mrs. Obama congratulating the royal highnesses, the duke and duchess of Cambridge.
"Michelle and I are so pleased to congratulate the duke and duchess of Cambridge on the joyous occasion of the birth of their first child. We wish them all the happiness and blessings parenthood brings. The child enters the world at a time of promise and opportunity for our two nations. Given the special relationship between us, the American people are pleased to join with the people of the United Kingdom as they celebrate the birth of the young prince."
Strong and warm statement from the president and first lady welcoming this new child. Let's continue our conversation. Joining us once again, the British ambassador to the United States, Peter Westmacott. We'll talk and get his reaction to what we just heard from the White House. Also joining us, CNN royal commentator, Victoria Arbiter, and CNN chief international correspondent, Christiane Amanpour.
I'm sure you're very happy, Mr. Ambassador, with the statement from the president and the first lady.
WESTMACOTT: perfect statement, couldn't be kinder, very warm, and very much framed in the context of the very special relations that do exist between our two countries. So, yes, I'm delighted.
BLITZER: Christiane, the relationship between the U.S. and the U.K. always probably the strongest relationship of any two countries, but an event like this, and give us some perspective, really brings these countries together. Explain.
CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, it's a special relationship, isn't it and Ambassador Westmacott knows that so well. And, it's what we hear all the time in war and peace and also into happy events such as this one. But look, I think this is something that goes beyond the relationship between two countries. It's something that is so quintessentially British that speaks volumes about what makes Britain Britain and what makes Britain so attractive to so many people around the world, including Americans.
And in fact, the American charge a fair (ph) and charge of America's diplomatic business here in Great Britain also issued a statement to that effect, how pleased they were about this birth and how close and affectionately both William and Kate are held in the United States and remembering their very warmly received visit to California shortly after their marriage.
So, I think this is something that is really sort of historic in terms of the ties between the two nations. But what's happened tonight is something that everybody can identify with because a birth is a birth and families are families and parents are parents, and they love it, and the people out here is been so incredibly happy all day from the when the duchess of Cambridge first went into the hospital early this morning. I'm joined by Kate Williams who is a historian and a royal watcher. Just one thing would be incredible. I couldn't believe to see about the last time that Great Britain had three heirs to the thrown living at the same time.
KATE WILLIAMS, CNN ROYAL HISTORIAN: It is three heirs to the throne, all waiting like airplanes trying to land. They're all waiting. And the last time we've ever seen this was 120 years ago when Queen Victoria, Edward VIII would abdicate. She had her son, Edward VII, then George V, Edward VIII, and she was in very poor health, not in the marvelous health of our lovely queen.
So, it really happens very, very infrequently. And the reason why it does happen is simply because the windsors live for so long. As we know, this child may not come to the throne for another 70 years.
AMANPOUR: Well, the child may not come to the throne for another 70 years, and the fact that it's a boy is basically business as usual in terms of inheritance and being in the line of succession, but this would have been something incredibly different had the baby been a girl because by an act of parliament, legislation this year, they changed the whole idea of succession to allow a girl to be queen.
WILLIAMS: You're so right, Christiane. That's a great phrase. It's business as usual. It's a boy. It will be Charles, William, and then this young man, and after him, whether it's a son or daughter. If there was going to be a queen, yes, the law was rushed through, but as we know it, (INAUDIBLE) situation because the law was rushed through in Britain and voted through, but it wasn't every all the commonwealth countries where it has to be.
In fact, any three of the commonwealth countries, so there are more than a dozen more that hadn't ratified it. That was a slight problem. We don't have that problem now. It's a boy.
AMANPOUR: I'm sure it would have been figured out, even if it took a few years. And I just noticed, you know, Ambassador Westmacott's fantastic red, white and blue tie. Well, just about all of London as red, white, and blue, the lights were incredible through all this (ph) where fountains have turned blue.
The London eye is red, white, and blue. The tower (ph) bridge is blue. And there is quite a lot of patriotism and a lot of joy happening right now here in Great Britain -- Wolf?
BLITZER: Christiane, stand by for a moment. Kate, stand by as well. The ambassador is still with us. I want to bring Victoria Arbiter into this conversation. You have unique perspective, especially because your dad, correct me if I'm wrong, he was once the press secretary for Queen Elizabeth, is that correct?
VICTORIA ARBITER, CNN ROYAL COMMENTATOR: Well, he did. He worked with Peter, in fact. So, I'm having a bit of a full circle moment right now. I think I was quite small last time I saw Peter. So, yes, he worked for both the prince and princess of Wales. He also worked for the queen, and he very much enjoyed his time at the royal household. BLITZER: Give us your perspective on what this means now, the birth of this baby boy.
ARBITER: Well, really, it's, I think, especially thrilling given this renewed sense of optimism that the royal family is enjoying right now. Their popularity is riding high. And I think for the queen having dedicated so much of her life with such a sense of duty for 61 years, to be able to see Charles III will be next, then William V, and then another baby, and this baby has the potential to be the very first sovereign of the 22nd century.
And so, we're really seeing the monarchy safe for many generations to come. Of course, it goes through ups and downs like any institution does, but I think for the queen, she does have two great grandbabies already, but this one really is going to carry the mantle of her good work for many years to come.
BLITZER: And we're so excited for Queen Elizabeth. There she is right. Eighty-seven years old, a great grandmother right now. All right. Everyone stand by. We're going to continue the breaking news coverage on this little baby boy, eight pounds, eight ounces born today in London. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: The baby boy, eight pounds, six ounces born just a little while ago. Let's go to London at the hospital. Our royal correspondent, Max Foster, is outside of St. Mary's Hospital. Do we know what's going on inside the kind of room the mother has? I know the dad is staying overnight at the hospital. Do we know -- can you describe for us, Max, what's it like inside?
FOSTER: It's very small. It's one of the best maternity units in the country, very smart, very modern. And, they've got a few rooms there. They've set up an office area in there as well to deal with all the announcements that they had to make.
So, they rang, for example, the Australian prime minister and the British prime minister from there, and then, we've got the responses as well from -- you know, President Obama's obviously made a statement and we have the Australian statement as well. Prince William staying overnight. All he did was issued just a few words saying, "we could not be happier."
So, tomorrow, we're really expecting the whole family to come out and appear on the doorstep as the final sort of phase in this labor process and this really exciting moment. From many parts of the world, people have been gripped by this story. Finally, they know a prince has arrived. And probably I think we'll hear the name tomorrow we'll hear the name as well.
BLITZER: And I assume they have a comfortable place for Prince William to spend the night. A lot of dads who spend the night at the hospital here in the United States, they wind up trying to sleep in some sort of chair or whatever. I assume they got him some arrangements, made some positive arrangements for the dad. FOSTER: I'm sure. But the interesting thing is that no one else really came along. You had the medical teams, but then it was just Kate and William all day. And there was this four-hour gap between the birth and the announcement. I was told that Kate and William just wanted to spend time with their new son. So he's already proved that he's going to be a very hands-on dad. I think she was always going to be hands on. Her mother was a housewife, she was brought up in rural England, very close with her family. I think she would have picked up on that type of parenting.
William was close to his mother. Of course, has that tragic background in relation to her as well, but was also brought up bay nanny. But I think he's going to be different. He's going to be a hands-on dad, a very modern dad. And it's all about the tight little unit. He's a very private person, and I think you're going to find him becoming more and more private and more and more protective of this little unit that he's clearly very proud of.
BLITZER: I'm sure he is. Was that expected, to let the palace wait, what, four hours before letting the world know it was a boy?
FOSTER: No. We knew we'd be told afterwards, and we knew there was this process that had to be gone through where certain people, like the queen and the prime minister had to be notified. But certainly, it was a longer period than expected, and that's been justified on the basis they just wanted to have some private time on their own with the baby without the world pontificating about it too much. They wanted a bit of time on their own.
BLITZER: Shortly after --Max, don't go too far away. Shortly after the announcement, we learned that it was a boy. The prime minister of Britain went outside and spoke.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVID CAMERON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: It's wonderful news from St. Mary's Paddington. I'm sure right across the country and indeed across the commonwealth, people will be celebrating and wishing the royal couple well.
It is an important moment in the life of our nation, but I suppose above all it's a wonderful moment for a warm and loving couple who got a brand new baby boy. It's been a remarkable few years for our royal family: a royal wedding that captured people's hearts, that extraordinary and magnificent jubilee, and now this royal birth. All from a family who have given this nation so much incredible service. And they can know that a proud nation is celebrating with a very proud and happy couple tonight.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: The prime minister, David Cameron. The British ambassador of the United States, Peter Westmacott, is still with us. What is the role now - if there is a role - of the prime minister in this whole process as the new member of the royal family, the government in England - what does it do now? Anything? WESTMACOTT: I think the government carries on governing the country. The prime minister did exactly the right thing, which was to come out in the evening and just explain the balance of personal joy, THE country's proud, but this is fundamentally about a warm and loving couple and how thrilled they are and how we all join in that happiness.
But also making the point that it is not just the United Kingdom. The queen is, after all, the queen of 18 different countries around the world. And so that's why the prime minister was talking about the commonwealth as well. So I think the role of the government is to try to bring together the public sentiment of enormous happiness at this good news but to carry on doing its job as well as.
BLITZER: There was enormous speculation. And I'm curious for your opinion -- it's obviously moot right now -- if it had been a girl, would the name Diana have been appropriate for this little - if it had been a girl?
WESTMACOTT: You're taking me into the realms of speculation, Wolf. I just don't know. There was a lot of excitement about the possibility that it might be a girl because of course we changed the rules on inheritance and whether she would be the third in line to the throne as the little boy prince will be. That is not to be; we now know that we have a prince, not a princess, and so that doesn't arise.
As for the names, really, I don't know. There was plenty of talk, there was different bits of speculation, just like there's lots of speculation now about boys names. We simply have to wait and see what the parents decide.
BLITZER: Well, maybe there's going to be a girl down the road.
WESTMACOTT: Well, who knows? Maybe other children --
BLITZER: Then we'll go back and think about that. And just once again before I let you go, remind our viewers, not only here in the United States because we're being seen around the world, if folks would like to make a contribution to a good cause in honor of this new child, they should do what?
WESTMACOTT: There are two things they can do if they want to celebrate the happiness of this occasion. One is they can go on to the Clarence House Web site or Twitter feed and signal their own pleasure and their own warm congratulations. The other thing they can do if they'd really like to -- but nobody should feel any obligation -- is to make a donation to a children's charity of their own choice and make the point that this donation is in pleasure at the birth of the new baby prince.
BLITZER: A children's hospital here --
WESTMACOTT: A children's hospital, a children's home, a charity benefiting disadvantaged, deprived children, something like that. That is what the palace would most want. What they don't want is people to send in gifts, especially of course from people whom they don't know personally.
BLITZER: Right. That makes sense -
WESTMACOTT: And that's understandable.
BLITZER: That's a good cause. Ambassador, thank you -- I know you're going to be busy. Thanks so much. Congratulations to you, to everyone in the United Kingdom on this very, very special day.
WESTMACOTT: Thank you, Wolf. It's a very exciting and proud moment to be British ambassador.
BLITZER: Any final thought? You want to say anything else before --
WESTMACOTT: No, I think that's enough. Thank you.
BLITZER: Thank you very much. Peter Westmacott is the British ambassador to the United States.
Well, much more on the breaking news coverage coming up. When we come back, now that the royal baby is here, how is the baby going to be raised? Stand by.
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BLITZER: We're following the breaking news: the birth of the third in line to the British throne. The Duchess of Cambridge delivered an eight-pound, six-ounce boy about six hours ago with Prince William at her side.
And with the long-awaited birth over, the parents can now turn their attention to what's expected to be an unconventional royal upbringing. Let's talk about that with our digital correspondent, Kelly Wallace, who is joining us right now.
So, I know you've been doing some reporting and what we can expect, Kelly. What do you see out there?
KELLY WALLACE, CNN DIGITAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, we've been asking real moms to give some advice for Kate and William, and many of them say, you know what? Forget about being royal. Forge your own way. We all know you have the parents, the in-laws, even well-meaning strangers who are going to tell you how to raise this child. The advice is raise that child the way you want.
Another great piece of advice, Wolf - you know this: sleep when you can. Nap when the baby naps. One mom joked that Kate could turn into a royal zombie pretty soon if she doesn't get some rest.
And another great piece of advice, and it sounds like listening to Max that Prince William is already getting involved is get him involved from the start. That means getting him to change diapers. Have him spend some time with the new baby boy so that they forge an equal partnership, and that will do well for their marriage and also for this new baby.
BLITZER: I assume there's going to be a whole bunch of royal nannies, if you will, who can help out this royal couple.
WALLACE: Exactly. They are going to get a ton of support that most American families don't have. But watching Kate as we have and listening to her upbringing, it's clear she wants to be very hands on when it comes to parenting this child, and William, too. So, she's going to be very involved, William is going to be very involved.
But you know, most of us in the United States are thinking oh, my gosh, right after you have a baby, your body is not the way you want it to be, you want to get the maternity jeans and the oversized sweater, and the last thing you want to do is have photographs taken of you. Most people can't imagine what Kate will be dealing with, most likely on Tuesday. So advice to her that her body is not exactly going to be right at the start, but hopefully it will be down the road.
BLITZER: She's gorgeous, and I'm sure she'll look lovely when she walks out of that hospital tomorrow with her husband and the baby. Kelly Wallace, thanks once again for joining us. Once again, welcome back to CNN.
WALLACE: Thank you much. Thank you.
BLIZTER: Just ahead, how the royal baby will feel the influence of her (sic) grandmother, Princess Diana.
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BLITZER: We're back with the latest on the birth of the royal baby. Joining us once again our chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour, she's in London, along with CNN royal commentator and royal correspondent, with "The Mail on Sunday," Katie Nicholl. She's the author of the book "William and Harry Behind the Palace Walls." Also joining us CNN royal commentator Victoria Arbiter.
Victoria, let me quickly get your thoughts how the late Princess Diana may have paved the way to a certain degree for this new royal son.
VICTORIA ARBITER, CNN ROYAL COMMENTATOR: Well, I think Diana is largely credited with giving her boys as normal a childhood as possible within the confines of the British royal family. She was very eager that they experience the things their friends experienced, such as going to fast food restaurants, going to the movies, going to theme parks, having play dates.
And so by breaking the mold, she really paved the way for William and Kate to be able to have a normal childhood as is possible for their child.
You have to remember Kate did grow up in a family where her mother was waiting for her when she came home from school. She's used to that and she's going to be keen to emulate that for her child.
BLITZER: Is there, Christiane, a lot of attention, a lot of people talking about Princess Diana at this moment, this royal moment, shall we say, in London right now? CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, look, most of the focus has been on Kate, whether it's been her dresses, how she's carried herself these last nine months, literally, or what she's been saying when she has spoken publicly. And really I think so much attention is on Kate and William and on their baby. But of course how can one not help but think about Princess Diana because that was the last time we saw -- well, obviously Harry was the last baby that was brought out in terms of, you know, in line to the throne.
What do you think people are thinking about, you know, the absence of Princess Diana at the moment?
KATIE NICHOLL, CNN ROYAL COMMENTATOR: Well, you know, I think it's at times like this, these very poignant, important family moments that we really feel that loss, that absence. We felt it on the wedding day. We felt it on the engagement day. I think we do feel it today. We wonder what the late Princess of Wales would be thinking if she was were still here.
AMANPOUR: And of course, you know, when we talk about the wedding, of course, William gave his mother's engagement ring to Kate.
NICHOLL: He did. He wanted her -- he wanted Kate to be a part -- he wanted Diana to be part of it. That was his way of making -- remembering his mother and really bringing her into the celebration so that -- so that she was remembered.
AMANPOUR: And we just heard -- you know, talk about how Diana enabled William and Harry as much as possible to have a normalish childhood. What will it be like for this royal son, this prince?
NICHOLL: Well, I think there will be a side of this prince's life that will be relatively ordinary and I think that's thanks to Diana because she really broke the mold. She shook things up. She was the first royal to give birth in a hospital rather than a palace. So she has paved the way for Kate, for future royals.
In terms of this boy's upbringing, I think we'll see him go to a regular school. I don't mean a state school. I mean a private school, but not be educated in the palace by governors and governesses. A normal upbringing where he mixes with ordinary people. I think that's very important to this couple. If you look at their lives really behind closed doors, it's actually very normal.
AMANPOUR: Except for all the crowds that have come here, it's anything but normal. And that's really what attracts so many people here.
And coming up tomorrow, there's going to be all the gun salutes, there's going to be peeling of bells from Westminster and St. Paul's Cathedral. A lot of celebration continues into tomorrow as well -- Wolf.
BLITZER: And we'll be covering it every step of the way. Guys, don't go too far away. By the way, Kate Bolduan is going to have much more on the growing royal family, including rare interviews with relatives and close friends of the proud parents. "WILL & KATE PLUS ONE" airs here tonight right here on CNN 10:00 p.m. Eastern.
When we come back, betting on the royal baby. Now that he's here, what will he be named? Stay with us.
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BLITZER: The royal baby is now here as we all know, eight pounds, six ounces, born at 4:24 p.m. London time. And now the question is what will the baby be named? Lots of betting has been going on.
Erin McPike is looking into this part of the story.
Erin, what are you seeing?
ERIN MCPIKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, it took a week before Prince William's name was announced and it also took a month before Prince Charles's name was announced so there's still plenty of time for people to be making their bets.
The betting, of course, is going on in Britain because it's not legal to be betting on entertainment here in the United States. But of course you might want to get those office polls ready.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MCPIKE (voice-over): Pretty long odds today for Chardonnay. Chardonnay? Oh, just a potential royal baby name that got some punter to pluck down a spot of cash.
With the heir to the British throne finally here today, there has been big business in betting.
JENNIE PREST, WILLIAM HILL BOOKMAKERS: The most popular bet so far is the name, definitely. Ever since the Duchess of Cambridge was seen at the public appearance where she took the teddy bear and nearly made it sound like she was going to say daughter, it's all been about girls' names.
MCPIKE: But it wasn't. It was a boy. As for what Prince William and Kate Middleton will name their son, the smart money for boys' names has been on James and Henry. There's also interest in what color hair will appear on the first born to the royal couple. Most think the royal son will be a brunette like the mother. There's a little bit more money on a ginger like Prince Harry than on a blonde like Prince William.
There are bucks on everything, from what Kate's sister Pippa will wear to the hospital to what college the future monarch may choose to attend almost two decades from now.
PREST: Ever since the Duchess of Cambridge was announced to be pregnant in December, really, the ball started rolling then and it's grown and grown and grown. It's been really exciting. Lots of money on the name. Lots of money on the weight. Lots of money on the date that the baby will be born, which is really reaching a crescendo now.
MCPIKE: Jennie Prest is a spokeswoman for the betting house William Hill.
PREST: I mean, it's definitely a more female friendly type of bets as opposed to having a bet on the football or the horses. And this is a kind of project that will appeal a bit more to the female customer. And also, it's the kind of thing that everybody's got an opinion on, you know.
MCPIKE: Now for the betting types who have put down dough on the name, sex, and birth date of the royal infant, you soon may be able to collect your cash. But it will be a while for those who are already wagering on where the royal student will go to university.
Here's a tip if you want to up the ante. The best bet with the bookies is the University of St. Andrews, where Prince William and Kate met.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MCPIKE: Now, Wolf, as I told you earlier, my money is on Spencer. At least for the middle name. But you have a bet on a boy's name?
BLITZER: You know, I -- the only thing I know is we're probably going to be surprised. I don't know that, I'm just guessing.
Now you thought it was going to be a girl, obviously.
MCPIKE: I did. And I thought it would be Diana.
BLITZER: Diana. You know, you notice my outfit today. You see the pink?
MCPIKE: I do. You were prepared. I was not.
BLITZER: But I have the blue shirt, too, so I was hedging on my bets because I didn't know what they were going to be.
MCPIKE: I was, and I called it on my Facebook page and I was wrong.
BLITZER: OK.
MCPIKE: So I shouldn't be betting at all.
BLITZER: Now why did you think it was going to be a girl?
MCPIKE: Because I think that's what the smart money was on. Earlier today, 56 percent of betters took a girl and 44 percent took a boy.
BLITZER: So you're looking at the statistics.
MCPIKE: Yes.
BLITZER: You're the Nate Sullivan of CNN.
MCPIKE: Exactly.
BLITZER: All right. Well, you're wrong.
(LAUGHTER)
Thanks very much, Erin McPike.
All right. Just ahead at the top of the hour, we'll have much more on the breaking news, the birth of the royal baby boy. We're going back to London live.
Plus, George Zimmerman back in the headlines all of a sudden less than two weeks since his acquittal. You're going to want to see what happened and why. Stay with us.
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