London

Royal Homecoming: Kate, William Leave Hospital With Baby Girl

Cheers filled London — and social media — as the world welcomed the new princess.

The royal baby has been introduced!

Just hours after giving birth to a girl, Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, stepped outside a London hospital with husband Prince William and the princess on Saturday. They didn't speak, but smiled and waved to the crowd.

[NATL-ARCHIVED] Royal Family Photos

Her Royal Highness delivered her second child at 8:34 a.m. local time (3:34 a.m. ET), at a healthy weight of 8 pounds, 3 ounces, Kensington Palace officials announced on social media.

Kate and her newborn daughter are both doing well, officials said. Her husband, Prince William, was by her side for the birth.

Footage shows towering flames in San Francisco as crews battle a fire caused by a gas explosion.

The Duke drove the Duchess by car from Kensington Palace to the hospital at 6 a.m. local time (1 a.m. ET) when she started going into labor, the palace said.

A growing crowd of well-wishers and media had gathered around the hospital in recent days, eagerly awaiting the new royal baby in what U.K. tabloids dubbed "The Great Kate Wait." That crowd swelled with the royal pronouncement in Saturday's early hours, as media and royal family fans gathered outside the Lindo Wing in eager anticipation of the royal baby's delivery.

William was briefly seen walking out of the hospital at about 4 p.m. on Saturday, and returned a short while later with the couple's first child, Prince George. The crowd outside the hospital erupted in cheers as William exited.

"How's your daughter? How's she doing?" a woman yelled to him.

"I am very happy, thank you," William responded.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were "absolutely delighted" at the birth of the new princess, Clarence House said.

Footage shows towering flames in San Francisco as crews battle a fire caused by a gas explosion.

The president congratulated the royal couple in a statement.

"Michelle and I are delighted to congratulate the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family, and all the people of the United Kingdom on the birth of the Royal Princess,” the statement read. ”On behalf of the American people, we wish the Duke and Duchess and their son George much joy and happiness on the occasion of the arrival of the newest member of their family.”

The celebration also spread worldwide where the announcement began: on social media. #RoyalBaby trended worldwide on Twitter Saturday, while both #RoyalBaby and "Duchess of Cambridge" were top trends in the United States.

The Royal Navy tweeted a picture of sailors above the H.M.S. Lancaster, also known as the "Queen's Frigate," in a formation spelling out the word "sister."

London landmarks were set to join in the celebration: The Tower Bridge, the London Eye and the iconic fountain at Trafalgar Square are all set to be lit pink tonight. The Union Jack flying above Buckingham Palace is larger than usuall, and London's BT Tower emblazoned its screen with "It's a girl" backed in pink.

Monday will see even more official celebrations. The bells of Westminster Abbey will toll. In keeping with British tradition, two simultaneous Royal Army gun salutes will herald the new princess.

[NATL] Wardrobe Watch: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge

The baby's gender had remained a mystery, even to the Duke and Duchess, according to royal officials. That mystery — and debate over the baby's name — fueled avid speculation among media and bookmakers. (Florence was a among the early favorites, but Charlotte and Alice have made a surge among the betting public.) The palace has not yet announced the newborn princess's name.

The new baby is fourth in line to the throne, after her older brother, and will bear the title of Princess of Cambridge. The newborn's older brother was born on July 22, 2013.

Guy Thorpe Beeston, the doctor who oversaw the young prince's birth, also delivered the new royal baby, a palace spokesperson said.

Prince William and the Duchess marked their fourth wedding anniversary at Kensington Palace on Wednesday while waiting for the birth.

Contact Us