Countess of Wessex Safely Gives Birth to Son

Sophie, the Countess of Wessex -- wife of Queen Elizabeth II's youngest son, Prince Edward -- has safely given birth to a boy via c-section today.

It was initially said in the press that the baby would be born this Friday, but perhaps that information was put out to throw the press off the track.

Sophie came close to losing her life when she suffered a placental abruption just prior to prematurely giving birth to daughter Louise in November 2003.

The baby boy's name has not yet been announced. He will have the title Viscount Severn.

Friday Update: Here are photos of the happy parents leaving the hospital with their newborn son.