By George we have a new heir

The new prince weighed eight pounds and six ounces and has “a good pair of lungs” according to his adoring father, Prince William.

A babe in arms, the new Prince George of Cambridge, just a day old, showed the world that he had already mastered the Royal Wave when he was introduced to the waiting world in his first official photocall on Tuesday. His tiny hands exploring the space around him were just visible above his baby blanket as his mother and father shared their obvious joy with the world.

Unlike his father, Prince George has three names, not four. He shares his first name with the Queen’s father who took the name George when he ascended to the Throne. Before that King George was Albert - or Bertie - as he wsa affectionately known within his family.

It is believed that the newest member of the Royal Family was given his second name, Alexander, as a personal choice by his parents, but Alexandra and Alexander are also popular traditional choices for the Royals, as is Louis, his thrid name, which is understood to be in tribute to the Late Lord Mountbatten, uncle of Prince Charles, who died when his boat was blown up by the IRA in 1979.

The first Prince George of Cambridge, was born in 1819. He was a grandson of George III and he raised eyebrows in polite society when he did not seek the sovereign’s approval and wed actress Sarah Louisa Fairbrother, the mother of two of his children who was pregnant with his third.

Even though his name is George, when it is his turn to ascend to the Throne Prince George will have the option to change his name, if he so desires. If, however, he keeps his name, he will become George VII.

The previous King Georges are listed here: George I (reigned 1714-1727). George Louis was born in Hanover, Germany, and after the death of Queen Anne ascended the British throne as the first monarch of the House of Hanover.

George II (1727-1760): George Augustus was born in Germany, the last British monarch to be born outside the country.

George III (1760-1820): Born George William Frederick, nicknamed Farmer George for his thriftiness and plain tastes. Famous for losing Britain its 13 colonies in the United States.

George IV (1820-1830): Born George Augustus Frederick, he reigned for nine years, and he forbade his wife, Caroline of Brunswick, from attending his coronation so bad was their relationship.

George V (1910-1936): George Frederick Ernest Albert, grandson of Queen Victoria, and a naval man, became heir when pneumonia killed his brother Albert. He married his brother’s fiancee, Mary of Teck, who became Queen Mary.

George VI (1936-1952): Albert Frederick Arthur George, the present Monarch’s father, who was famous for his stammer and came to the Throne when his older brother, Edward VIII, abdicated to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson.

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