The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's son Archie Harrison Mountbatten Windsor made his social media debut today as the couple took to their official Instagram page to welcome their new arrival.
The newest member of the royal family, who was born on Monday, managed to rake in over 1.4million likes on one post within one hour of them being shared online at 3pm this afternoon.
A second post showing the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh meeting their eighth great-grandchild for the first time was also shared on the royal couple's Instagram.
Together, the two posts gathered more than 4.7million likes in eight hours.
Four candid images were posted to the photo-sharing site and were taken by ex-soldier Chris Allerton, who was also the photographer behind the couple's Christmas card.
After the official press call this afternoon the royal couple took to Instagram to post charming photographs of the three of them with a caption which read: 'Today The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are delighted to share their first public moment as a family.
'They are so incredibly grateful for the warm wishes and support they’ve received from everyone around the world, since welcoming their son two days ago.'
The two-day-old infant was lovingly cradled by his adoring father and watched attentively by Meghan, who was herself pictured for the first time in six weeks since withdrawing from public life ahead of the birth.
The couple appeared to be beside themselves with joy, giggling and looking into each other's eyes as they spoke, while Harry could not resist sneaking a peek down at his son as he apparently slept.
They later shared another photograph with the three of them meeting the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, with the Duchess’ mother Doria Ragland present.
The picture was used to announce the name of Harry and Meghan's son, with the caption reading: 'The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are pleased to announce they have named their first born child: Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.
'This afternoon Their Royal Highnesses introduced Her Majesty The Queen to her eighth great-grandchild at Windsor Castle. The Duke of Edinburgh and The Duchess’ mother were also present for this special occasion.'
Speaking for only three minutes from inside the majestic St George's Hall at Windsor Castle, a radiant Meghan declared: 'It's magic, it's pretty amazing. He's just been the dream so it's been a special couple of days.
'I have the two best guys in the world so I'm really happy. He has the sweetest temperament, he's really calm.'
Pictures taken at an official media call earlier this afternoon and released to the media through the Press Association had been taken by Dominic Lipinski.
But while at the event, more candid photographs were taken by Allerton to post on Instagram.
The first picture was a full length colour snap of the couple, which shows them walking out of the doors, Harry carrying Archie and Meghan gently placing her hand on the back of his arm.
The second, is a black and white picture, with the couple looking adoringly at the newest member of the royal family.
Last but not least, in homage to their wedding photos, Harry and Meghan struck a similar pose, the two of them walking down the hall, with their backs facing the camera, with Meghan looking up at Harry.
For the birth of the child they opted not to use the traditional royal favourite of the Lindo Wing, which has been used for centuries by members of the family, including Kate Middleton and Diana Princess of Wales.
This meant that the first photos of the new royal baby had not been captured on the iconic steps and instead, were taken in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
The couple are also said to have broken tradition as Harry was pictured holding the baby, rather than Meghan.
The couple did however announce when Meghan had gone into labour and the birth of the child. Even at this point though they also released an Instagram post to their loyal followers, detailing that the gender of a baby was a boy.
It had also previously been reported that the couple would also shun the tradition of hiring a Norland Nanny to look after the newest member of the royal family.
Norland Nanny's have been employed by the royals for years, however, Harry and Meghan are said to have consulted with a a specialist recruitment agency in order to find the perfect nanny, with some suggesting that Meghan would want an American nanny in order to stay close to her US roots.
In March the couple splashed out £50,000 to soundproof their home in the grounds of Windsor Castle, with sources also stated that the Duchess also wanted to use the Chinese art of feng shui to arrange furniture in the home as it 'created good vibes'.
They moved into the property at the beginning of April in preparation for the arrival of the baby. Just weeks later, Meghan's mother Doria is said to have then flown out in order to be by her daughter's side.
Prince Harry was also critcised last week after it had been announced that he would be attending a royal engagement in the Netherlands. Many people questioned the decision, as at this point, the baby had not yet been born.
The trip was then pulled - sparking rumours that the birth of the royal baby was imminent.
The duke and duchess also risked causing a row between rival media outlets after they insisted on a US broadcaster being present – choosing to include the channel fronted by one of Meghan's best friends, Gayle King.
By coincidence – or not – CBS's morning show is hosted by Meghan's friend Miss King, who was one of just 20 people to attend her lavish five-day baby shower in New York, leading to suggestions of favouritism.
While the Queen was expected to be the first senior royal to officially meet the newborn, a giddy Meghan revealed how they accidentally bumped into the Duke of Edinburgh in the grounds of Windsor Castle while making their way to the photocall.
She said: 'We just bumped into the duke as we were walking by which was so nice. So it'll be a nice moment to introduce the baby to more family and my mum's with us as well.'
Asked who the baby takes after, Meghan added: 'We're still trying to figure that out.'
Harry said: 'Everyone says that babies change so much over two weeks we're basically monitoring how the changing process happens over this next month really. But his looks are changing every single day, so who knows.'
Asked how he found parenting, Harry added: 'It's great. Parenting is amazing.
'It's only been two and a half days, three days, but we're just so thrilled to have our own little bundle of joy.'
Harry said they were looking forward to spending some 'precious times with him as he slowly, slowly starts to grow up.'
Later, asked to show more of their son's face to the cameras, Meghan laughed as Harry joked: 'He's already got a little bit of facial hair as well, wonderful.'
Meghan added: 'Thank you everybody for all the well wishes and kindness, it just means so much.'
Archie is seventh in line to the throne and the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh's eighth great-grandchild and the Prince of Wales's fourth grandchild.
Shortly after the first photographs surfaced worldwide, royal fans went into meltdown as they declared that the baby looks 'just like Momma'.
Others were quick to point out 'beautiful' Meghan looked post-birth, after the duchess was pictured for the first time in six weeks after going on maternity leave from public appearances.
In what was seen as a break from royal procedure, the photocall took place two days after the birth near Frogmore Cottage, where Meghan has been recovering since Monday alongside her mother Doria Ragland.
While the Duchess of Cambridge faced the media outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital a few hours after all three of their children were born, American-born Meghan is said to have considered the idea as archaic.
Archie arrived at 5.26am on Monday, weighing 7lb 3oz, and is thought to have been born at the Portland Hospital in London, a plush US-owned hospital favoured by many wealthy American expats.
Meghan - who had been more than a week overdue - is believed to have gone into labour late on Sunday, when she was driven 28 miles away to a London hospital, ending her hopes of a home birth.
It comes after Harry and Meghan, 37, insisted that a US broadcaster be present during the unveiling of their baby son, choosing a channel fronted by one of Meghan's best friends.
The couple arranged for CBS, the network whose morning show is fronted by the duchess's confidante Gayle King – a guest at her New York baby shower – to join a small British media contingent for the photocall.
Miss King was with the couple at their private residence of Frogmore Cottage at the weekend, having arrived in the UK to film what she called a 'royal special'.
The show, Meghan and Harry Plus One, is set to air on CBS on May 17, and will feature chats from royal insiders and Meghan's friends to mark the one-year anniversary of the royal marriage and the birth of their first child.
It is thought the 64-year-old journalist returned to the US before Meghan was admitted to hospital in the early hours of Monday to give birth.
{"preview_thumbnail":"https://cdn.flowplayer.com/6684a05f-6468-4ecd-87d5-a748773282a3/i/v-i-8…","video_id":"89ffa692-7137-4f3d-8795-bbc148cec890","player_id":"8ca46225-42a2-4245-9c20-7850ae937431","provider":"flowplayer","video":"What Exactly Israel and Hamas Agreed on for The Ceasefire"}
The decision to include a US broadcaster came as a surprise to British television channels including the BBC and ITV – not to mention many at Buckingham Palace.
Their inclusion caused a storm among rival media outlets with the Queen's former press secretary Dickie Arbiter, who comments on royal matters for a host of networks including the BBC, ITV, and Sky, warning it is 'treading on dodgy ground'.
Mr Arbiter said the stated reason - that the inclusion of CBS in the pool means the pictures will make US breakfast shows - was a 'fatuous excuse' because syndication deals would have ensured US coverage without the CBS presence.
He alluded to Meghan's close ties to King saying 'choosing a US network, fiend [sic] or not, is treading on dodgy ground'.
Despite CBS's attendance, a royal source said it would not receive any exclusive content from the photocall and would be expected to share all of its material.
But the American network's involvement in such a high-profile event usually reserved for British media representatives will still be viewed as a huge scoop stateside.
Last night a palace aide said: 'There is an international cameraman accredited to the pool facility tomorrow. CBS will provide the cameraman.
'This reflects the international interest in the story. The international camera spot was self-selected and the pictures will be available for pool use.'
It came as royal fans patiently waited for their first glimpse of the newborn in a photo shoot, with took place today.
The event was covered by Sky News, which was selected randomly following other submissions from the BBC and ITV.
According to ITV's royal correspondent Chris Ship, the same process was undertaken to decide which American network would cover the event.
He was told CBS was also picked at random following submissions by fellow US broadcasters NBC and ABC.
A source said last night the arrangements were made to 'reflect the international interest in the story'.
By coincidence – or not – CBS's morning show is hosted by Meghan's great friend Miss King, who is also close to Oprah Winfrey, another a friend of the royal couple and a guest at their wedding.
Handily for her, it is expected that footage of Baby Sussex will be broadcast in America in time for her popular breakfast show, This Morning.
CBS star Miss King was among just 20 guests to attend Meghan's lavish five-day baby shower in New York in February, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Serena Williams.
Senior royals have already spoken about the joy of the new arrival, with Prince William saying on Tuesday he was 'absolutely thrilled' and 'looking forward to seeing them in the next few days when things have quietened down'.
He added: 'I'm very pleased and glad to welcome my own brother into the sleep deprivation society that is parenting.'
His wife Kate beamed: 'As William said, we're looking forward to meeting him and finding out what his name's going to be so it's really exciting for both of them and we wish them all the best.
'These next few weeks are always a bit daunting the first time round so we wish them all the best.'
The Prince of Wales has also spoken publicly for the first time about the birth, saying he was 'delighted' at arrival of his latest grandchild.
During an official visit to Germany with the Duchess of Cornwall, Charles said on Tuesday: 'We couldn't be more delighted at the news and we're looking forward to meeting the baby when we return.'
Harry's grandmother the Queen accepted the congratulations of a Windsor Castle guest who asked: 'Life is good for Your Majesty?'
The Queen, who was joined by the Duke of Edinburgh, was hosting a lunch on Tuesday for members of the Order of Merit and smiling said in reply 'yes, thank you'.
The infant is believed to be the first mixed-race child born to a senior member of the royal family in centuries and is seen as a reflection of modern Britain with its culturally diverse population.
Following his birth on Monday morning, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's son is now seventh-in-line to the British throne.
The baby boy comes behind their father Prince Harry in the line of succession, bumping his uncle, the Duke of York, Prince Andrew further down the line into eighth place.
But the child will not be given the title of prince and he will instead be known as the Earl of Dumbarton.
The baby boy is expected to take the surname Sussex for school or nursery in the same way as William and Kate's children, George, Charlotte and Louis, taking 'Cambridge'.
The baby will supersede Andrew in the line of succession, regardless of gender, following a 2011 change in law that granted the same status to sons and daughters.
But as the second son of the current Prince of Wales, Harry's children are not automatically given the title of prince or princess.
King George V - Harry's great great grandfather - limited titles within the royal family in 1917.
This means Harry and Meghan's first born, as a great-grandchild of the sovereign, is too far down the line of succession to be an HRH.
George V declared that 'the grandchildren of the sons of any such Sovereign in the direct male line (save only the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales) shall have and enjoy in all occasions the style and title enjoyed by the children of Dukes of these Our Realms'.
The eldest son and heir apparent of a duke can use one of his father's lesser grade peerage titles by courtesy, according to Debrett's.
So a first son of Harry's would become Earl of Dumbarton - one of the subsidiary titles Harry received from the Queen on the morning of his wedding.
A daughter would be Lady (first name) Mountbatten-Windsor, and any subsequent sons Lord (first name) Mounbatten-Windsor.
But the Queen could make changes to allow Harry and Meghan's children to be HRHs and princes and princesses.
Despite his high-profile birth, Baby Sussex will not be titled His or Her Royal Highness (HRH) unless the Queen intervenes.
Harry and Meghan's baby boy is not officially a royal, despite being seventh in line to the throne, after George V limited titles within the family during the First World War.
HRH status normally lapses after two royal generations - except for the eldest son of the eldest son of the eldest son of the monarch, which is Prince George.
But the Queen decreed all of William and Kate's children should be HRH - which is why Princess Charlotte is not Lady Charlotte, and Prince Louis is not Lord Louis.
This is why George V's grandchildren the Duke of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, Prince Michael of Kent and Princess Alexandra are HRH but their children are not.
However, the rules can be changed if the monarch wishes - so Baby Sussex could still officially become a royal.
Additionally, once Prince Charles becomes King, the baby will automatically become HRH because they will then be the grandchild of a reigning sovereign.
Just seven years ago the Queen changed the rules for the benefit of the children of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who had yet to start a family at that time.
She decreed all of their children should be HRH, not just Prince George - which gives Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis their royal titles.
Another example is of the two children of the Earl and Countess of Wessex – Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and Viscount Severn – who are both HRH.
They could therefore be called Princess Louise and Prince James, but their parents prefer them not to use their royal titles - and the Queen has agreed.
Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, the daughters of the Duke and Duchess of York, are both HRH by being children of the Queen's son Prince Andrew.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
