Look of love as William cradles baby

William held the infant – the son of one of the adventurers – in the crook of his right arm and looked down with loving eyes.

The reception was held at Goldsmiths’ Hall in London to mark the achievements of a group of British soldiers who recreated the famous Scott-Amundsen race to the South Pole.

He was joined by wife Kate, who, when she chatted to the baby’s proud parents, Vic and Hanna Vicary, separately from her husband, described their son as “very cute”.

Hugo Eric Scott, dressed in a Superman romper suit yesterday, was born three weeks ago yesterday and his name features tributes to both Mr Vicary’s father who died in March and the famous British polar explorer.

Mr Vicary, 41, from Cornwall, a Warrant Officer Second Class with the Rifles, trekked to the South Pole in the footsteps of Captain Scott, with a team led by Warrant Officer Mark Langridge.

Another group of soldiers took on the role of the Amundsen team and, just like the original race staged 100 years ago, the men following the route taken by the Norwegian adventurer reached the South Pole first.

When William was first introduced to the couple the baby was being held by his father and the Duke said: “He looks very sweet,” going on to describe the youngster’s name as “fantastic”.