Updated 6.30pm
THERE’S A NEW member of the UK’s royal family.
A baby girl was born to the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William at St Mary’s Hospital in west London at 8.34am.
It’s the same facility where Prince George was born, two years ago. The former Kate Middleton was initially expected to welcome her second child in late April.
It was confirmed early this morning that William and Kate had arrived by car at the facility at around 6am.
Later statements said the pregnancy was proceeding as normal – as media crews and royal-watchers arrived, expecting a long wait.
However, shortly after 11am, the news was confirmed – a new baby girl had been born hours earlier, and all senior members of the royal family had been informed. We do not have a name for the little princess yet, but the bookie have Charlotte and Alice pegged as favourites.
The Duke and Duchess have now left the hospital and returned to Kensington Palace with their baby girl.
Under modernised laws governing succession, the new princess will be fourth in line for the British throne – behind Prince Charles, William, and George (Prince Harry moves down the pecking order as a result).
Prince William briefly left the hospital earlier today to bring the baby’s big brother George in to meet her, much to the delight of the crowds and the media (okay, mainly Kay Burley), who were hoping for a repeat of iconic shots of the Duke of Cambridge himself back when he met his younger brother for the first time:
Little George didn’t want to walk like his father had done back in 1984 but he did give the crowds a big wave:
News of the royal birth was sent to reporters via email first – before details were given in a public statement, via Twitter.
Taking a more traditional approach, a town crier also arrived – shouting the good news to anyone in earshot.
The news comes just days before the UK general election – and politicians from all parties have been Tweeting their congratulations this morning…
- With reporting by Michelle Hennessy.
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