It’s a princess — crowds cheer new royal heir
LONDON — From Prince Charles to royal fans to most of those who put down a bet, millions in Britain were hoping for a girl.
The Duchess of Cambridge delighted her nation and royal enthusiasts around the world Saturday by delivering a princess. The royal birth was greeted with cheers and elated cries of “Hip, hip, hooray!” outside St. Mary’s Hospital in central London, where fans and the world’s media have waited for days.
The baby — Prince William and Kate’s second child — was born Saturday morning and weighed 8 pounds 3 ounces, officials said. She is fourth in line to the throne, and the fifth great-grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II, 89.
It may be a day or two before the world knows what to call her. When Prince George, her older brother, was born in 2013, royal officials waited two days before announcing his name.
Anticipation had been building for weeks after Kate, 33, told a well-wisher she was due around late April. Still, journalists were caught slightly off guard when she delivered barely three hours after checking into the hospital at dawn Saturday. William, 32, was present at the birth.
The couple later emerged on the hospital steps with the infant to briefly pose for photographers before leaving for their home at nearby Kensington Palace. Kate, who wore a yellow-and-white floral shift dress, held the sleeping baby wrapped in a white blanket.
The couple didn’t answer any questions, though William earlier told reporters he was “very happy” as he brought young George to the hospital to meet his baby sister Saturday afternoon. George, looking slightly alarmed by all the cameras, waved dutifully at the adoring crowds.
The queen and senior royals were “delighted with the news,” officials said. The queen marked the occasion by wearing a pink ensemble while carrying out an official engagement in North York- shire, 250 miles north of London.
Cheers and chants of “Princess! Princess!” rang out from the hundreds of well-wishers and tourists gathered outside the palace and the hospital as soon as the news was announced.
At 21 months, George is third in line to the throne, after his grandfather, Prince Charles, and his dad, William. The newborn princess becomes the fourth in line, bumping Uncle Harry to fifth.
Thanks to a recent change in the law, the new princess will hold her place in the line of succession that for centuries had put boys ahead of their sisters. That means no younger brother will be able to overtake the new princess in the order of preference to inherit the throne.