George Alexander Louis: Royal Baby Gets A Name

George Alexander Louis is the royal baby’s name, the royal family revealed Wednesday about the newborn boy.

The announcement came after hours of waiting and speculation.

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

Kate gave birth on Monday to the boy, who weighed 8 lbs 6 oz, but she and William held off on naming the little one. As they left the hospital on Tuesday the couple stopped to address media and photographers, sharing some details but not a name.

“It’s very special,” William said of his late-arriving son. “I’ll remind him of his tardiness when he’s a bit older. He has got a good pair of lungs on him, I can tell you that… We are still working on a name.”

The couple retreated back inside the hospital after the appearance to gather their belongings, then returned with the royal baby strapped in a car seat.

Together the new parents and little George drove off to their home in Kensington Palace.

There had been much speculation into the royal baby’s name in the months leading up to the birth and the anxious hours after he was born. In Britain there were many pools to guess the baby’s name, sex, and other birth details, and betting agencies even placed odds on what name would be chosen.

It appears they were right on the mark. Though a number of names ranked high — including James and Henry — in recent days the name George shot up the list, ending with 5-to-1 odds.

There had also been an increased interest in the given surname for Prince William, with one of the top internet searches this week a quest for his last name. For the descendants of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip, the family surname is Mountbatten-Windsor, so the royal baby’s official name would be George Alexander Louis Mountbatten-Windsor.

In addition to his given name, royal baby George Alexander Louis will have an official title: “His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge.”