LONDON—The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to a girl Saturday, her second child, according to Kensington Palace.
The royal baby arrived at 8.34 a.m. at London’s St. Mary’s Hospital, 2½ hours after the duchess was admitted and weighing 8 pounds and 3 ounces, the palace said.
“Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well,” the palace said. The Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, was present for the birth and both families are delighted with the news, it said.
The royal couple had their first child , Prince George, at the same hospital in July 2013. Formally known as His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge, he is third in line to the throne behind his father and grandfather, Prince Charles.
Crowds Celebrate Birth of Royal Baby »
Mother and daughter said to be doing well after birth
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Royal fans celebrate outside St ...
Media gather outside the hospital while a town cryer announces the birth of the baby girl. ANDY RAIN/EUROPEAN PRESSPHOTO AGENCY
A chalkboard displays the latest betting odds on the name of the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William's second child. JUSTIN TALLIS/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/GETTY IMAGES
A royal fan stands outside the hospital.
BEN STANSALL/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/GETTY IMAGES
Media report outside the hospital awaiting the news of the birth. ANDY RAIN/EUROPEAN PRESSPHOTO AGENCY
Policemen wait outside the hospital after it was announced that the Duchess of Cambridge has gone into labor. CHRIS JACKSON/GETTY IMAGES
His baby sister, the newest great-grandchild for 89-year-old Queen Elizabeth II, falls fourth in line to the throne. After a recent change to a centuries-old rule, female members of the royal family now are equal to men in the line of succession. Previously, brothers took precedence to the throne over sisters.
Palace officials placed a typed birth announcement on a golden easel outside Buckingham Palace for public viewing. Well wishers pushed to the front to see the sign.
The royal couple hasn’t yet announced a name for the baby. Alice has been the most popular name at bookmakers, with Charlotte following closely behind.
While British media have followed the Duchess’s pregnancy—and her glamorous maternity fashion—the interest has been more muted than around the birth of her first child. The U.K. press is also focused on a coming national election , with opinion polls putting Prime Minister David Cameron ’s Conservative Party neck-and-neck with the main opposition Labour Party.
Mr. Cameron said, in a message from his Twitter account, “Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their baby girl. I’m absolutely delighted for them.”
Still, the new princess is unlikely to escape the limelight as she grows up.
Her Uncle Harry, Prince William’s younger brother, regularly features in the British media, which have chronicled everything from his partying at London nightclubs to his relationships with women.
The new royal heir could provide a further boost in public sentiment for Buckingham Palace, which has already enjoyed an uplift from the royal wedding four years ago and the birth of the couple’s first child.
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