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Local royal watchers celebrate new prince's arrival

The wait is finally over for royal watchers around the world, including happy monarchists in West Vancouver. After more than 10 hours of labour, Kate Middleton and Prince William welcomed a baby boy at St. Mary's hospital in London at 4:24 p.m. U.K.

The wait is finally over for royal watchers around the world, including happy monarchists in West Vancouver.

After more than 10 hours of labour, Kate Middleton and Prince William welcomed a baby boy at St. Mary's hospital in London at 4:24 p.m. U.K. time Monday. The infant prince becomes the third in line for the throne.

West Vancouver resident Roddy MacKenzie, who

flew to London for both the royal wedding and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, said the birth was much needed good news with so many recent tragic events.

"I think it's absolutely wonderful," said MacKenzie.

"It's so much a part of our integral history. The duke and duchess of Cambridge have become international super stars.

"The royal family brings out the absolute best in people," he added.

Carolanne Reynolds, chair of Heritage West Vancouver, said the royal birth has garnered so much attention because of social media and the popularity of

the duke and duchess.

"Will and Kate had a very successful tour here," said Reynolds. "People are interested because they have had some, even visual, connection with them. And we all wish the best for anybody we know who's married and having a baby."

Anticipation of the birth had been growing for some time as an exact due date was not released by the palace. Global media outlets had been camped outside of the hospital for weeks.

"Its always exciting when a new baby is born, whether it's a member of the royal family or a member of our own family," said Keith Roy, vice-chairman of The Monarchist League of Canada in Vancouver.

The world watched Prince William grow from infancy to a future king and it's this familiarity that keeps the public interested and invested, he said.

"I think the monarchy has done a wonderful job of advancing to become the modern monarchy that we expect," he said. "I can't think of another organization in the world that has had a woman at its head for 63 years. This is the most modern, equality-based organization in the world."

Roy said for Canadians, the new arrival means our government is secure for another three generations.

"This is a family dedicated to the service of the people in the commonwealth countries and they do a magnificent job of it," said Roy. "I think the next step will be steadfast leadership and continuity, the same type of sense of duty that we've seen from Queen Elizabeth."

Crowds waiting outside the hospital got their first look at the tiny prince on Tuesday morning.