IT would have taken a heart of stone to have seen the clearly overjoyed Duke of Sussex announcing the birth of his son yesterday, and not be pleased for him and wife Meghan.

Yes, they are privileged pair who can name movie stars as close friends, and yes, they have little in common with the average UK citizen.

But after horrific recent terror attacks such as those in New Zealand and Sri Lanka, and years of political turmoil at home and abroad, sometimes it’s nice to just have a bit of good news.

Harry has grown into his role into the Royal family, and has become a passionate advocate for injured ex-service men and women, most notably founding the Invictus Games.

He has also used his own struggles to highlight the importance of speaking about mental health and along with Meghan, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, set up Heads Together, an initiative which aims to give people practical tools to improve their mental wellbeing. Meghan, in her short time as an active Royal, has championed a variety of causes, including those supporting education, the arts and helping women access the world of work.

There will be those who would like to ignore yesterday’s news, and also avoid the global cooing that will no doubt follow when the first official pictures of the new family are released.

That’s fine – the Royals aren’t for everyone. But for those who do care, the happy arrival provides some light in the darkness of the usual news cycle. That is to be welcomed, and we send our very best wishes to the Sussex family.