The Duchess of Sussex has had a baby boy, it has been announced.

The Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, was at Meghan's side as the couple welcomed their son.

The baby boy is seventh in line to the throne, and the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh's eighth great-grandchild.

The sex was a surprise for Harry and Meghan, who had chosen not to find out what they are having.

Ahead of the birth, the duke and duchess made a personal decision to keep their arrangements private, amid speculation that they had opted for a home birth at their new home, Frogmore Cottage, close to the Queen's Windsor Castle home.

Meghan went into labour this morning, a palace spokesman said.

Meghan is believed to have been overdue, and there had been speculation the duchess was looking likely to be induced.

Harry has an official visit to The Hague scheduled for Thursday when he is due to launch the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games 2020.

The duchess' mother Doria Ragland was reported to have been staying with the Sussexes at Frogmore Cottage to help.

Harry's trip to Amsterdam and overnight stay away on Wednesday was cancelled on Friday, with Buckingham Palace saying it was due to logistical concerns surrounding press coverage of royal events, rather than baby Sussex.

A statement from Buckingham Palace says: "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex was safely delivered of a son at 0526hrs.

"The baby weighs 7lbs 3oz. The Duke of Sussex was present for the birth.

"The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Earl Spencer have been informed and are delighted with the news.

"The Duchess's mother, Doria Ragland, who is overjoyed by the arrival of her first grandchild, is with Their Royal Highnesses at Frogmore Cottage.

"Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well."

The name of the baby, which is seventh in line to the throne, will be announced at a later date.

The Duke of Sussex was present for the birth which happened at 5.26am.

The duke and duchess's Instagram account @SussexRoyal also announced the birth saying: "It's a boy! Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to announce the birth of their child."