ROYAL BIRTH

4.17 pm

The Prime Minister

I beg to move,

That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty offering the congratulations of this House of Her Majesty, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh and their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales on the birth of a son to Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales, and signifying to Her Majesty the great pleasure given to Her faithful Commons by this happy event.

For generations, Mr. Speaker, there has been an opportunity for the House to express its happiness at the birth of a Royal Prince or Princess, and to assure the Sovereign of our enduring loyalty.

Every new young Prince or Princess represents the continuity of our Royal Family, and reminds us of the unique service which our monarchy renders to the British people at home and abroad.

When Sir Winston Churchill spoke in this House on the birth of the Prince of Wales, he recalled that it is the British monarchy which

“presides … over all the treasures that have been saved from the past and all the glories we write in the annals of our country” .—[Official Report, 16 November 1948, Vol. 458, c. 212–3.]

I can find no better words than those to express our loyalty to Her Majesty, and to record the debt we owe to the Royal Family. The world has changed dramatically since the Prince of Wales was born, but the traditions of the monarchy are cherished by the British people as deeply as ever.

Today is not just an historic occasion. It is also a family occasion. Over the past 35 years, the nation has shared in the joy and pride of Her Majesty's family. We have watched as each Prince and Princess grew to adulthood, and we have admired the example set by the Royal Family in their devotion to duty. Now we see the beginnings of a new family, and the House will unite in offering our congratulations to Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh, and to the Prince and Princess of Wales. We will be joined as well by the millions round the world whose hearts were captured by the Prince and his young bride last summer.

We wish the new Prince health, happiness and long life. His birth has brought great joy to us all.