William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales, June 21st 1982.

The 41-gun salutes of royal artillery companies at the Tower of London and Hyde Park signaled a king for the 21st century. “Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales was safely delivered of a son at 9:03 p.m. today. Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well.” 

The 7-pound 1½-ounce Prince is expected someday to rule the United Kingdom. Even the newborn’s father, normally the most serious of men, was transported by the event. According to his father-in-law, Earl Spencer, Prince Charles was “absolutely over the moon.”