“The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to announce that they have named their son Louis Arthur Charles,” Kensington Palace said in a statement today. “The baby will be known as His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Cambridge.”

The choice of name was unexpected, with parents Will and Kate waiting four days before revealing their new baby’s name. In betting circles, Albert and Arthur were top favourites. The name Louis was trailing at no.10 among oddsmakers. Considering that the name is one of Prince George’s middle names, it wasn’t seen as a likely possibility for the name of the new prince.

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The choice of name, however, is invested with meaning. Louis, which translates as ‘renowned warrior’ in French, was most probably chosen to honour Prince William’s grandfather, Prince Philip, whose grandfather was Prince Louis Alexander of Battenberg. Incidentally, the name Louis is also part of Prince William’s full name - William Arthur Philip Louis, as well as Prince George’s full name - George Alexander Louis. The royal family had another Louis who was well-loved – Earl Louis Mountbatten, whom William’s father, Prince Charles was very fond of.

Prince Louis’s middle names - Charles and Arthur were also studied choices. While Charles is in honour of the baby boy’s grandfather, Prince Charles, Arthur is a family tradition with both Prince William and Prince Charles possessing it as a middle name.

Prince Louis was born on Monday at 11:01 a.m. weighing 8lbs, 7oz. That very day itself, the royal couple took the world by surprise by appearing on the steps of the Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Hospital, to introduce their little prince to the world before they left for their Kensington Palace home. The couple looked relaxed and happy and naturally Kate’s dress and heels also came in for considerable comment.

Kate evoked memories of Princess Diana, who also wore red as she posed with Prince Charles and a newborn Prince Harry outside the same wing in 1984. Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, chose a red Jenny Packham dress with a white collar and nude heels.
Their family of five is apparently complete!