Daddy's doppelgänger sparks global nostalgia

Mini monarch: Prince George is a doppelgänger of his father, the Duke of Cambridge. Photo / Getty Images via The Daily Mail

Cradled in his father's arms, 22-month-old Prince George certainly lived up to his nickname of 'the Prince of Cuteness' when he arrived at the Lindo Wing this afternoon.

Waving at the battery of cameras and smiling shyly, he was en route to meet his new baby sister who made her entrance into the world at 8.34am this morning and will leave hospital tonight.

But it isn't the first time that a royal heir has arrived to visit a newborn sibling in front of the media waiting outside St. Mary's Hospital in Paddington.

They were also there to meet the new royal spare, the newborn Prince Harry who at the time was tucked away in a private room with his mother, Princess Diana.

And the similarities don't end there. With his blonde hair and chubby cheeks, George looks strikingly like to Prince William at the same age - and even wore a similar outfit.

But while George was dressed entirely in blue just like his proud father who, at one point, stopped to plant a kiss on his son's cheek, the then 20-month-old William sported red shorts instead.

The Duke of Cambridge famously held his father's hands, on his way to meet his new baby brother. Photo /Getty Images

The visit from new big brother George came less than eight hours after the birth of Britain's newest princess.

Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, carries his son Prince George of Cambridge as they return to the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital in central London. Photo / Getty Images

The news was confirmed by Buckingham Palace at 12.30 when two members of the Royal Household emerged carrying the traditional notice which they fixed to the gates.

Crowds soon gathered to celebrate and take a closer look at the sign, while elsewhere, London landmarks such as the BT Tower and Tower Bridge were lit up in pink.

In a statement released by Kensington Palace this evening, the proud new parents said: 'Their Royal Highnesses would like to thank all staff at the hospital for the care and treatment they have all received.

"They would also like to thank everyone for their warm wishes."

- Daily Mail