Prime
Minister David Cameron tweeted: "Congratulations to the
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their baby girl. I'm absolutely
delighted for them."
The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth
to a girl Saturday 2 May 2015 at St. Mary's Hospital. Kensington Palace announced.
The baby -
who is fourth in line to the throne - was "safely delivered" at 08:34
BST, the palace said in a statement. The Duke of Cambridge was present for the
birth of the baby, who weighs 8lbs 3oz (3.7kg). Both Catherine and her daughter
are "doing well", the statement added.
The duchess had earlier been admitted
to the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital where Prince George was born in July
2013.
The
statement from Kensington Palace added: "The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh,
the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and members of both
families have been informed and are delighted with the news."
The latest
royal joins the line of succession behind her grandfather Prince Charles,
father Prince William and brother Prince George.
On Thursday,
during an official engagement, Prince Charles had said he was hoping the
duchess gave birth to a girl.
This is the
second child for Prince William and Catherine after their son, Prince George,
who was born in July 2013.
William was born in a private wing at the same hospital on
June 21, 1982. So was George.
While that might seem normal to most in his generation, it
is a break with tradition. Before William, all heirs to the throne had been
born at home or at the home of a royal family member.
William's father, Prince Charles, was born at Buckingham
Palace.
A media
frenzy ensued outside St. Mary's Hospital as journalists gathered following the
announcement that she had gone into labor. Some wore pink or blue -- depending
on their preference for a boy or a girl.
But Terry
Hutt , who just celebrated his 80th birthday, said either a prince or a
princess is fine with him.
"Well
I'd like both! Can you imagine how George feels?" Hutt said. "It's
probably his new toy."
The newest addition will be fourth-in-line to the throne,
bumping William's brother, Prince Harry, to fifth place.
Prince Harry's ascension to the throne was a long shot,
anyway. The second child of royal parents is known as "spare
heir." Traditionally, they were expected to rule if an older sibling
died or could not become king or queen.
While the older brother or sister is destined for a life of
regal duty and obligation -- of public engagements, investitures and ribbon
cutting ceremonies -- the role of the younger royal is less defined.
When George
was born, William
and Catherine opted to use the shorter version of
his name. The
chubby-cheeked toddler's official name is Prince George Alexander Louis of
Cambridge.
George and
his new baby sister may use "Cambridge" as a last name when they
attend school in a few years.
