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LONDON – Major buildings in the British capital on Monday night were lit up in patriotic colors or with congratulatory messages for Kate Middleton and Prince William after the birth of their baby boy.
Meanwhile, thousands of people gathered outside of Buckingham Palace to celebrate the baby and take a look at an easel with the official birth announcement.
The sights provided visual fodder for TV networks and websites, which had spent most day waiting for news of the baby. And they lent London an air of entertainment and celebration not seen since the 2012 Summer Olympics and Queen Elizabeth II‘s diamond jubilee.
Central London’s BT Tower was shown on U.K. TV networks late Monday with its video wall portion lit up with the simple message: “It’s a Boy!” The video wall of the landmark of the telecom giant, which competes with the likes of U.K. pay TV giant BSkyB, also showed a white stork carrying a baby in a bundle.
STORY: Kate Middleton Gives Birth to a Boy
As announced ahead of the birth, the London Eye Ferris Wheel on the south bank of the River Thames, which is one of the main sights of the city, featured red, white and blue lights — the colors of Britain’s Union Jack flag — to celebrate the birth of the first child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Adding to the pomp and celebratory notes typical for the British capital was a crier dressed in full regalia who announced the birth of the royal baby outside the Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, West London on Monday evening. ITV News also showed crowds outside the hospital singing “Happy Birthday.”
With no name known yet, the crowd sang “dear royal baby” instead of a name. On Tuesday, ceremonial gun salutes will sound across London to mark the birth. The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Honourable Artillery Company will carry them out, according to news reports.
E-mail: Georg.Szalai@THR.com
Twitter: @georgszalai
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