The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have become proud parents of a future King.
It was the moment the world was waiting for and, unlike the media pack camped outside St Mary's Hospital, in London's Paddington, I was at home in South Kensington in my pyjamas when the news filtered through on the television, writes reporter, Selina Maycock.
"It's a boy. 8lb 6oz. Born at 4.24pm."
My delight at the news was somewhat dampened by the "press release" culture that has now taken over our daily lives and the traditional surprise of having the birth announced on an easel outside Buckingham Palace had to be adapted to avoid the news being leaked through social media – but I was on a mission to capture a piece of history.
I got dressed, hopped on the tube, and in 10 minutes I was at Victoria station. As I made my way to the Palace, some people were leaving the area, and when I peered around the Palace gates, crowds began to gather. The central statue was overflowing but the gates were fairly see-through – barely one person deep.
As I strolled into place, the Palace guards were marching across the main entrance. A buzz of excitement started to fill the air. Tourists who had descended to simply see a magnificent building, were soon learning that a special piece of British history was perched on an easel behind the gates.
Crowds started to surge. The railings were already being used as step ladders. In front of me, tip-toes simply weren't enough for one Canadian, who started to climb up the stonework on the gate pillars to get a better view. While others said they wished they had wings, I thought a Shard climber would be a good shout.
Within minutes, hundreds had become thousands of people gathered on the streets and police back up had to be called in to channel out those who had taken photos of the iconic sign.
Mothers had brought their daughters to share the experience. One girl said she was going to suffocate - a sign that the crowds were packed in tightly. She then questioned "why don't they form a queue instead of a mass bundle of people?"
Had there been a queue it would have stretched round Hyde Park, and with everyone desperate to catch a glimpse of the notice, all orderly etiquette went out the window.
Police had to order the public to take two steps back to relieve those at the front from getting crushed. In a desperate measure to get more people in view, the easel was moved back. I gasped along with everyone near me who was stood just yards away as we became so near yet so far!
Keeping my flip-flop feet intact, I meandered my way towards the front - putting my Take That gig positioning expertise into practise.
I could hear some people asking what the baby was - having missed the revelation - while others said they were glad to be part of history.
I stood on the railings to take a breath and a bird's-eye view of the crowds.
Fearing being pushed and breaking a limb, I clambered over the barrier to manoeuvre my way through.
We were asked to have a look for a missing boy who had become separated from his family – every parent's worst nightmare! He was found, ushered to the back of the crowds.
As I got closer to the easel, it became harder to get that clear shot without being knocked or have an arm or head blocking the view. I snapped a few desperate shots before my phone battery lost its power. Typical. I fought my way back out, dragging my bag a metre behind. Television cameras from around the world were interviewing people about the news. I couldn't resist nipping over to the live TV tent where I watched the BBC's Fiona Bruce preparing to go live on the 10 o'clock news. She gave me a wave before reading her autocue. And as the cameras panned the crowd, I couldn't hold in my excitement, waving frantically to friends and family back home where I later discovered they had spotted me.
The atmosphere was buzzing, people had Champagne and flowers, while others had flags and banners.
A royal welcome into the world is just the start of a world watching a King-to-be grow and flourish in the future as we await the announcement of the name.
I'm glad I was there to experience it and show my support for an amazing couple. To our heritage (and my new neighbours), may the years bring joy.
