Jewish leaders sent Mazel Tov wishes to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex following the birth of their first baby on Monday.

Israel President Reuven Rivlin sent a “big hug” on behalf of the people of Israel and his wife, Nechama, following the birth of their son, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis wished the happy couple “hearty congratulations”, the Board of Deputies and Jewish Leadership Council wrote a “hearty Mazel Tov and congratulations” on social media while Michael Goldstein, United Synagogue, quipped that Prince Harry and Meghan should add their son’s name to the Prayer for the Royal Family!

“May he bring his parents and family much nachas,” he added.

The Royal couple’s baby is the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh’s eighth great-grandchild, and seventh in line to the throne.

Safely delivered at 5.26am, he weighed 7lb 3oz noted a Palace statement.

“The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Earl Spencer have been informed and are delighted with the news,” added The Palace.

“The Duchess’s mother, Doria Ragland, who is overjoyed by the arrival of her first grandchild, is with Their Royal Highnesses at Frogmore Cottage. Her Royal Highness and the baby are both doing well.”

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are “delighted” with the news and were looking forward to meeting the latest addition to the family, said Kensington Palace.

Prince Harry, present at the birth, told waiting press from around the world the much-heralded news outside his home near Windsor Castle.

Clearly overjoyed, he told reporters that his son was “a little overdue” and he planned to make another announcement in two days’ time “so everyone can see the baby”.

He added, “I haven’t been at many births. This is definitely my first birth. It was amazing, absolutely incredible, and, as I said, I’m so incredibly proud of my wife.

“As every father and parent will ever say, you know, your baby is absolutely amazing, but this little thing is absolutely to-die-for, so I’m just over the moon.”

He continued, “It’s been the most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined.

“How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension.”

The baby has automatically acquired US citizenship courtesy of his mother, Meghan, at birth.

Charles Spencer, brother of Diana, Princess of Wales, tweeted his congratulations.

“Very lovely news today – many, many, congratulations!” he wrote.

The baby, yet to be named, is a first cousin of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

By Natalie Ash