Bells ring out in St Albans to celebrate royal birth
St Albans Cathedral - Credit: Archant
BELLRINGERS at St Albans Cathedral waited patiently for hours on Monday so they could announce the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s baby boy.
When news of the royal birth came through at around 8pm the bells chimed out across the city for 10 minutes to mark the special occasion.
The bellringers had been on standby all day since it was announced the Duchess had gone into hospital at around 6am while in the early stages of labour.
Richard Watson, Sub Dean at the Cathedral, said: “The bells of the Abbey have rung out for generations to announce news as soon as it was known – a kind of medieval Twitter I guess.
“So it seemed appropriate that the royal birth was heralded with ringing as soon as possible. We are so grateful to our band of ringers for being on standby, and also to the new prince for arriving at a more sociable hour!”
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The baby, whose name is yet to be announced, was delivered at the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington and weighed 8lbs 6oz.
Stephen Penney, ringing master at the Cathedral, said: “I am very proud of the ringers for being available at such short notice to mark this special event for the people of St Albans.”
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Welcoming the news the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Rev Dr Alan Smith, also said: “The birth of a child is always a cause for joy, so our warmest congratulations go out to the Duke and the Duchess of Cambridge on the safe delivery of their son.”
