MAJOR landmarks in Australia and the UK are taking part in royal baby celebrations by turning a shade of blue.
Iconic Story Bridge in Brisbane and Tower Bridge in London were lit up in blue, while the London Eye turned red, white and blue, the colours of the Union Jack.
The BT tower in London also got in on the act and carried the message “it’s a boy” following the announcement of the royal birth.
Babies born in Queensland will receive a commemorative medallion to celebrate the arrival of the new Prince of Cambridge, the State Premier Campbell Newman announced.
Premier Newman revealed plans to mark the birth of the royal baby with a commemorative medal for all Queensland babies born on 22 July.
Further celebrations in the state will include a commemorative birth certificate for babies born in 2013. A civic building will also be named after the new royal, Mr Newman said.
The royal birth is also sparking off the cuff celebrations. A seasoned town crier took it upon himself to attend St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington to herald the arrival of the new prince. Crier Tony Appleton officiated at William and Kate’s royal wedding and participated in last year’s Olympic Games.
“May he be long-lived happy and glorious and one day reign over us,” Mr Appleton declared.
Babies born in the UK on 22 July will receive one of 2,013 special royal silver pennies. The coins will come in a blue pouch for boys and a pink pouch for girls.
The issue of the silver penny harks back to an ancient English tradition of gifting silver for good luck.
