LONDON (AFP) - Prince William and his wife Kate are to leave hospital with their newborn son on Tuesday evening and return home to Kensington Palace, the palace confirmed in a statement.

"Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge will be discharged this evening from St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington," the palace said.

"The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their son will travel home to Kensington Palace."

The statement added that William and Kate wanted to "reiterate their thanks to the hospital for the care and treatment they have all received".

Their unnamed baby son, the new third in line to the British throne, was born at the central London hospital at 4:24 pm (11:24 pm Singapore time) on Monday weighing a healthy 3.8 kilos.

The statement from the palace came shortly after William's father Prince Charles visited his new grandson, telling the press as he left: "You'll see in a minute."