Who was Louis Mountbatten? Was the Royal Baby Prince Louis named after him?

The couple's third child, who was born on Monday April 23 at 11.01am, weighing 8lb 7oz, will be known as Prince Louis, Kensington Palace announced after a four-day wait.

The Palace said in a short statement: "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to announce that they have named their son Louis Arthur Charles.

"The baby will be known as His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Cambridge."

It is believed to be a nod to the Prince of Wales's great-uncle, Lord Mountbatten, who was murdered by the IRA.

Lord Louis Mountbatten - In pictures

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But who was Louis Mountbatten, the apparent inspiration behind the new prince's name?

What is his royal connection?

Louis was the first name of the Prince of Wales' beloved great-uncle Lord Mountbatten.

Mountbatten was also the Duke of Edinburgh's uncle and the brother of Philip's mother Princess Alice.

He was a second cousin once removed of Queen Elizabeth II.

Louis, the new Royal baby - in pictures

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Mountbatten was regarded as a great mentor by Prince Philip and Prince Charles. Charles often referred to the war hero - murdered by the IRA - as his “honorary grandfather."

Mountbatten counselled Charles on a great many things, most famously his love life.

It was also Mountbatten who had arranged the visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to Dartmouth Royal Naval College on 22 July 1939.

Included in these plans were Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, who were to be entertained by his nephew, Cadet Prince Philip of Greece while their parents toured the college.

It was the first meeting of the then 13-year old Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

What did he do?

During the Second World War, he was Supreme Allied Commander of the South East Asia Command from 1943 to 1946.

He was also the very last Viceroy of India in 1947 before independence and served as the first Governor-General of independent India until 1948.

Lord Mountbatten pictured in 1977
PA

After that he held posts including First Sea Lord until 1965, chief of the Defence staff, and chairman of the Nato Military Committee.

He was the longest serving professional head in the British Armed Forces to date.

How did he pass away?

Tragically Lord Mountbatten, known as "Uncle Dickie" to Prince Charles, was killed in 1979 along with his grandson Nicholas in a car bomb planted by the IRA.

The radio-controlled explosive device was placed in his fishing boat, Shadow V, in Mullaghmore, a small seaside village in County Sligo, Ireland.

When he was just a few hundred yards from the shore on a trip to go lobster-potting and tuna-fishing, the bomb went off.

Fishermen pulled Mountbatten from the water and tried desperately to save him but he died from his injuries.

The IRA claimed responsibility for the assassination which also killed his 14-year-old grandson Nicholas, a 15-year-old crew member Paul Maxwell and Doreen, Lady Brabourne, whose son was married to Mountbatten's eldest daughter.

Mountbatten received a ceremonial funeral at Westminster Abbey.

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