The classical world welcomes the royal baby

The Prince of Cambridge was born on 22 July at 4.24pm, weighing 8lbs 6oz. Join us as we take a look at the incredible pictures, and the reaction on social media from the classical world and beyond.

1. 

   1. The crowds wait outside Buckingham Palace

   As Kate's labour is announced, the Musicians Benevolent Fund send their good wishes to their patron: @MusiciansBFund: "Wishing the Duchess of Cambridge the best as she goes into hospital. We're sure our Patron The Queen is awaiting news eagerly! #RoyalBaby"

2. 

   2. The media wait outside the Lindo Wing

   As the world waits for the royal couple to emerge from the hospital, well-wishers take to Twitter to post their reaction to the birth. @RCMLatest: "Congratulations to our President The Prince of Wales on the arrival of HRH’s first grandchild! #RoyalBaby @ClarenceHouse"

3. 

   3. A Jaguar arrives at Buckingham Palace to announce the birth

   Katherine Jenkins raised a glass of bubbly to the royal couple as the birth was announced. ‏@KathJenkins "Awwww... It's a boy! Congratulations! Sooo happy for you! #GlassesRaised #Toast #Celebrations"

4. 

   4. The easel announces the birth

   Stephen Fry praised the 'Britishness' of the whole occasion. ‏@stephenfry "The official easel. We really are a marvellously bonkers country..."

5. 

   5. Royal Baby Announcement Easel Buckingham Palace

   The Military Wives couldn't help but be excited about the Prince of Cambridge's future. @Milwiveschoir: "Many many congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of your baby boy. Exciting times ahead :) x x"

7. 

   6. Royal Baby Announcement Easel Buckingham Palace

   The royal baby was welcomed with a three-hour long peal of bells at Westminster Abbey. They tweeted: "@wabbey Congratulations to the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their son #RoyalBaby"

8. 

   7. Royal Baby Announcement Easel Buckingham Palace

   As the easel is placed in the Forecourt of Buckingham Palace announcing the birth, Tommy Pearson showed his sarcastic side. @tommyrpearson "Breaking News on all channels: There's absolutely nothing to report. And we'll be reporting that every 15 mins. #RoyalBaby"

9. 

   8. The crowds gather outside Buckingham Palace

   As the crowd wait outside Buckingham Palace, composer David Arnold adds a bit of humour into the mix: @DavidGArnold "how am i meant to work today without knowing the name of the Royal Baby future King of all? AND this tattoo is incomplete without the name"

10. 

    9. The Royal Standard Flag is raised above Buckingham Palace

    Charity Making Music hedged their bets as to the baby's name. @MakingMusic_UK "Many congratulations to William and Kate on the birth of their son! What do you think he'll be called? #RoyalBaby"

11. 

    10. A Town Crier announces the birth of the Royal Baby

    As a town crier announces the birth, Aled Jones raises his voice along with the throng of well-wishers. @realaled "Huge congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Great news!"

13. 

    11. Town Crier Royal Baby Annoucement

    The RNCM even decorated their building in Manchester with Royal Baby memorabilia: "The marketing office looks suitably Royal today!"

14. 

    12. Crowds at Buckingham Palace

    Pianist Nicholas McCarthy sent his best wishes to the couple. @NMcCarthyPiano "Congratulations to The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their baby boy #RoyalBaby"

15. 

    13. Middletons arrive at Lindo Wing

    Singer Alfie Boe sent his best wishes to the couple. ‏@AlfieBoe: "Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the safe delivery of their baby son. A x"

16. 

    14. The London Eye lights up

    The London Eye celebrates birth of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's son by lighting up red, white and blue. Prime Minister David Cameron commented: "An important moment for our nation but above all a wonderful moment for a warm and loving couple."

17. 

    15. Guns sound across London to mark the birth

    Amore sent their support to the royal couple: @weareamore "Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge #royalbabyboy what a hot day to be in labour for 12 hours!! #trooper Mx"

19. 

    16. Guns sound across London to mark the birth

    The Canadian Opera Company offered some epic music in celebration of the royal arrival. ‏@CanadianOpera "In honour of the #RoyalBaby, here's the Siegfried Idyll, a piece Wagner composed for his wife for their son's birth"

20. 

    17. Flowers are delivered to the Lindo Wing

    New Zealand soprano Hayley Westenra dedicated her album to the baby, and tweeted: ‏@HayleyWestenra "Congrats to the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge on your little bundle of joy! #royalbabyboy"

21. 

    18. Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall visit Royal Baby

    New father Gareth Malone had a bit of a laugh, retweeting comedian Peter Serafinowicz @serafinowicz: "Royal babies are tricky to deliver because of the whole silver spoon thing. #royalbaby"

22. 

    19. Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall visit Royal Baby

    The Royal Scottish National Orchestra are giving a new classical album to any baby born in Scotland over a one year period. They joked: "We ought to send William & Kate a copy of the Astar CD!"

23. 

    20. Prince William and Kate leave hospital with new baby

    The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leave the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London, with their newborn son. The Military Wives show their royal support: @Milwiveschoir "Awwwww how lovely did the 2 of them look, one very happy little family. Hello Prince Cambridge, welcome little man x x #royalbaby"

25. 

    21. Prince William and Kate leave hospital with new baby

    A statement from the Duke and Duchess expressed their gratitude to the staff: “We would like to thank the staff at the Lindo Wing and the whole hospital for the tremendous care the three of us have received. We know it has been a very busy period for the hospital and we would like to thank everyone - staff, patients and visitors - for their understanding during this time.”

26. 

    22. Prince William and Kate with new baby

    The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leave the Lindo Wing. The Academy of Ancient Music shared their thoughts on a suitable musical accompaniment: "What a royal to-do! If only Handel had been alive to provide the celebratory soundtrack."

27. 

    23. Prince William and Kate with Baby Boy

    The Band of the Coldstream Guards sent a celebratory greeting via Facebook: "Congratulations to HRH the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their son. Wonderful news #‎royalbaby"

28. 

    24. Prince William and Kate with Baby Boy

    As the world's media waited outside the hospital for all three to arrive, Aled Jones took to Twitter once more to explain the delay: @realaled "Obviously #Royalbaby not ready for his close up!!!!"

29. 

    25. Prince William and Kate with Baby Boy

    The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leave the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London, with their newborn son. Record company Deutsche Grammophon posted: "Congratulations to the British Royal Family!" and offered a free classical download.

31. 

    26. Prince William and Kate with Baby Boy

    As the couple leave the hospital, Prince William jokes that the one day old child already has more hair than his father.

32. 

    27. Prince William and Kate with Baby Boy

    The British Monarchy posted a message on their social media sites: "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have left hospital for Kensington Palace with their new baby son. ‪#‎RoyalBabyBoy‬"

33. 

    28. Prince William and Kate with baby boy

    Sleep On composer Paul Mealor shared his best wishes with the couple: "Many congratulations to TRH's The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge! Hope my lullaby comes in useful!"

34. 

    29. Prince William and Kate with baby boy

    The musicians of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra passed on their message of goodwill to the couple and their new arrival. "From one 'Royal' to another: Many congratulations to Will and Kate on the birth of their new baby boy!"

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