Charlotte and Alice are favourites

WITH the nation still eagerly awaiting a name for the new princess, bookmakers were making a killing.

On the day she was born, almost 10,000 individual wagers were placed alone – with Charlotte and Alice the clear favourites.

A spokesman for Ladbrokes said the betting markets had been in ‘total mayhem’ but listed both names as 3/1 joint favourites, with Victoria (5/1) and Elizabeth (6/1) in hot pursuit.

The Duke and Duchess could choose Charlotte – the feminine form of Charles – in honour of the baby’s grandfather, the Prince of Wales. Charlotte is also the middle name of Kate’s sister Pippa Middleton.

Intriguingly, Olivia has been the biggest mover since the baby arrived, and is now chalked up at just 7/1, having been just 50/1 first thing on Saturday morning. Alexandra (8/1) and Diana (10/1) have also been popular choices with punters.

Outsiders include Florence 33/1, Rose 33/1 and Maude at 100/1.

Ladbroke’s Jessica Bridge said: ‘Bookies all over the UK are hoping and praying for any name other than Alice, Charlotte, Victoria, Elizabeth, Olivia, Alexandra or Diana.’

Coral also reported yesterday that its odds on Olivia had crashed from 66/1 to just 4/1.

‘The gamble on Charlotte is showing no signs of slowing down and although Alice will be the worst result for us, Charlotte will also prove very costly following the amount of bets we’ve taken on it,’ said a spokesman.

‘We’ve already paid out a substantial six-figure sum on the royal baby being a girl, so we have our fingers crossed that Will and Kate opt for a name outside the top three in the betting.’