IT'S A GIRL!
Kiwis join flurry of congratulations
THE WORLD was waiting, and she delivered.
With an audience of billions waiting on tenterhooks, the ‘‘Great Kate Wait’’ has finally come to an end.
The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, gave birth to her second child – an 8 pound, 3 ounce (3.7kg) baby girl who will be fourth in line to the throne.
Her husband, Prince William, was present at the birth.
In a statement, the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and members of both families were ‘‘delighted’’ at the news.
Prime Minister John Key congratulated the happy couple, also extending his best wishes.
‘‘On behalf of the people of New Zealand I would like to congratulate Prince William, Catherine and Prince George on this wonderful news.
‘‘This is a very special time for any family.
‘‘The Duke and Duchess are excellent parents and I am sure Prince George will adore his new little sister.’’
New Zealand’s official gift to the couple will be a selection of woollen baby items from Hutt Valley company Stansborough. A pelt teddy bear will be among the gifts.
A 21-gun salute will also be fired from Pt Jerningham, Wellington, to celebrate the birth.
In Auckland, the Sky Tower was bathed in pink.
An expectant British press had dubbed it the ‘‘Great Kate Wait’’, as anticipation built in the week since the reported due date.
Bookmakers slashed the odds on the baby being named Alice.
After leaving the hospital the family will spend some time at Kensington Palace, before moving up to their home in Norfolk.
A few days after the birth, the couple will announce the child’s name.
She will bump Prince Harry, who will visit New Zealand this month, to fifth place in the line of succession.
Such was the fervour created by a royal baby arrival that even serious news sources such as The Telegraph had been grasping for any angle possible leading up to the birth.
The conservative publication suggested the Duchess of Cambridge would likely get some help from the full moon, which is on Monday, in moving the fourth in line to the throne along.
‘‘ Anecdotal evidence suggests the moon’s cycle can have a noticeable effect on when babies are born, with spikes occurring during a full moon and a new moon, when there are spring tides,’’ it said.
Backing up their story, Prince George was born on the day of a full moon.