LONDON (AFP) - Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate thanked hospital staff on Tuesday after the birth of their son, as Kensington Palace said the three royals were all "doing well".

"Mother, son and father are all doing well this morning," a Kensington Palace spokesman said in a statement.

In the first comments from Kate since the birth on Monday, she and William said: "We would like to thank the staff at the Lindo Wing and the whole hospital for the tremendous care the three of us have received.

"We know it has been a very busy period for the hospital and we would like to thank everyone - staff, patients and visitors - for their understanding during this time."

The as-yet unnamed baby boy was born at 4.24pm (11.24pm Singapore time) on Monday in the private Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, central London, weighing 8lbs 6oz (3.8kg).

Royal officials said the couple and their baby were expected to leave the hospital either on Tuesday after 1700 GMT, or on Wednesday.