What We Know So Far
- The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, gave birth to a daughter at 8.34 am.
- The baby weighed 8lb 3oz.
- She has now been given the forenames Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, and will be known as Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge.
- Her husband, the Duke of Cambridge, was with her in the private Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London.
- The couple have now left hospital and returned to their home.
Updates
The new royal baby has been called Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, to be referred to as Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge.
The announcement came on Monday afternoon UK time, shortly after an artillery gun salute in the baby's honour in Hyde Park.
U.S. President Obama issued a statement Saturday congratulating the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth.
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.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.
We've got a full set of pictures of the new arrival – and Mark Di Stefano, our man on the scene, has described his strange and wonderful day.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have emerged from the Lindo Wing with the newborn princess and driven away to their home.
The duchess wore high heels and the couple looked happy and relaxed as they left the hospital.
Prince William secured his new daughter into the family's Land Rover before driving home to Kensington Palace.
After spending some time at Kensington Palace, the family are expected to recover from the birth at Anmer Hall in Norfolk, the home given to them by the queen.
It's official – the family will be leaving the hospital this evening.
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge will be leaving St. Mary’s Hospital, Paddington this evening.
The world's media are currently camped outside, waiting for that moment, which is expected to take place in approximately an hour's time.
To repeat, we almost certainly won't find out the name of the baby (currently being referred to as "Princess Cambridge") for a few days: The bookies' current favourite is Alice, though Victoria, Elizabeth, Charlotte, Alexandra, Diana and Caroline have all been suggested.
The Duke of Cambridge has returned to the hospital with his son, Prince George.
George waves and now I'm dead
As he was leaving the hospital, the Duke of Cambridge told reporters that he was, "Off to pick up George."
The Duke of Cambridge is out of the hospital! And he's into the car and away, with barely a word for the waiting crowds.
William is out of the hospital
While we wait, here's some of the best of BuzzFeed's previous royal coverage.
Prince William is about to leave the hospital, probably to go and see (or collect) Prince George.
Prince William emerges in 25mins to visit son George at Kensington Palace. It appears he'll bring him to visit his sister. Awwwww.
BuzzFeed News reporter Mark Di Stefano, who's at the hospital, says that the family will definitely emerge this afternoon.
Kensington palace spokeswoman tells media a 30 minute warning will be given. They’ll be coming out this afternoon. #RoyalBaby
The Queen is out and about in Yorkshire, and is wearing pink. This has been taken by some royal-watchers as a nod to her new great-granddaughter.
Clarence House has said that the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall are "absolutely delighted" by the new arrival. Earl Spencer, Prince William's uncle, described it as "wonderful news".
Prince Charles had earlier said he was hoping for a girl.
Everything's calmed down a bit now in Paddington – it's all about waiting for the family to emerge, and getting the best position when they do.
It appears every single photographer here is a bloke. And they're keeping the step ladder business afloat #RoyalBaby
"The fact that the Duke and Duchess have had no visitors since the baby was born six hours ago suggests the families know the baby will be on her way home soon," suggests the Telegraph.
Various brands have been scrambling to associate themselves with the birth – with generally awful results.
There are suggestions that the duchess's hairdresser is inside the hospital, suggesting that the family may well emerge today.
Reports saying Kate's hairdresser has gone to the Lindo Wing, suggesting William, Kate & baby girl are leaving hospital today #RoyalBaby
The BuzzFeed News reporter on the scene, Mark Di Stefano, says that her make-up artist is rumoured to be in there as well. The duchess's mother, Carole Middleton, is apparently at Kensington Palace with Prince George.
Speculation is now turning to the baby's name – though last time it wasn't announced for several days.
Whatever the baby is called, she will be Her Royal Highness The Princess of Cambridge (the first to carry that title in 180 years), although she would get another title if and when her father becomes king.
For more on the fake town crier, see here.
We have an easel! I repeat, we have an easel!
Two footmen have placed the traditional easel with the birth announcement in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace, attaching the legs to the ground with ropes so it doesn't blow over.
At the hospital in Paddington, the royal fans are in celebratory mood.
The champagne has been popped now and the die hards are getting right amongst it #RoyalBaby
The next step is for the official easel to be placed outside of Buckingham Palace, confirming the baby's birth.
This is expected for 12.30pm UK time. Then, at some point after she's recovered enough from the birth, the duchess and her family will brave the waiting throng and leave the hospital.
Sailors from the Royal Navy have paid their own tribute to the new princess.
HMS Lancaster, known as the ‘Queen’s Frigate’, sent a message of congratulations to @KensingtonRoyal on the new birth
As have various others both in Britain and elsewhere.
Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, landmarks in Westminster will be turning pink tonight to celebrate the new #royalbaby.
Millions of items of mail in the UK will feature a special postmark for the first time marking the birth of a new royal baby.
We love it! Auckland's Sky Tower lit up pink in celebration of #princess #itsagirl #Royalbaby2 @SKYCITYAkl
Nigel Farage said he was ordering every UKIP candidate in the country to raise a glass in the baby's honour. He also welcomed the fact that the birth weight had been announced in imperial rather than metric units, suggesting that it showed where the royal family's political sympathies might lie.
The fake crier is making the most of his moment in the limelight, according to Mark Di Stefano of BuzzFeed News.
Look he might not be a real town crier at all. But man he's having the most fun of anyone #RoyalBaby
He has literally been interviewed by every single international media outlet here. No one has asked his qualifications #RoyalBaby
I just spoke to Tony Appleton (fake town crier) and he showed me this. Kensington Palace are just like *shrug*
Here is the official announcement from Kensington Palace in full.
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a daughter at 8.34am.The baby weighs 8lbs 3oz.
The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth.
The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and members of both families have been informed and are delighted with the news.
Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well.
According to the Telegraph, "the medical staff who delivered the princess were:Mr Guy Thorpe-Beeston, Surgeon Gynaecologist to The Royal Household, Mr Alan Farthing, Surgeon Gynaecologist to HM The Queen, Dr Sunit Godambe, Consultant Neonatologist at Imperial College NHS Trust, Professor Huw Thomas, Physician to HM The Queen and Head of the Medical Household".
It now appears that the crier who announced the birth was "self-appointed".
He is believed to be Tony Appleton, from Romford in east London, who similarly hijacked the announcement of Prince George's birth. While Appleton is an official crier in his home town, the authorities were adamant that he had no official role in proceedings.
Here is a close-up of his homemade scroll.
The leaders of the three main parties congratulated the duke and duchess on Twitter:
Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their baby girl. I'm absolutely delighted for them.
Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess on the birth of their daughter. Wishing them lots of joy and happiness - and hopefully some sleep!
Congratulations to the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their new baby. Miriam & I wish them all the best as their family grows
The birth was announced by a crier in full regalia.
A random bell ringer climbs the Lindo wing steps, announced the #RoyalBaby and it's the most British thing ever
Everyone running around telling, "ITS A PRINCESS!! ITS A PRINCESS!" #RoyalBaby
"ITS A GIRL ITS A GIRL ITS A GIRL" #RoyalBaby fans go crazy
Royal "super-fan" Terry Nutt is already demanding another baby, BuzzFeed News can report.
"I think it's marvellous but she's gotta make more babies doesn't she?" - Terry Nutt being a bit pushy #Roy...
The Duchess has given birth to a baby daughter, Kensington Palace has announced.
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a daughter at 8.34am.
The baby weighs 8lbs 3oz. The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth.
Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well.
Here are the latest odds on the baby's name, live from outside the hospital.
5/4 Alice 5/1 Elizabeth 14/1 James I'm told odds for Kanye and Emma Watson Jnr are outside the tote #RoyalBaby
The bookies are also taking bets on the colour of the dress the duchess will be wearing when she emerges from the hospital.
More news from Mark Di Stefano on when we can expect the baby.
The general consensus among reporters is the Duchess was in for less than a day with George so they expect #RoyalBaby today.
Though last time the couple waited for four hours after the birth to make the news public, in order to inform their friends and family first.
There appears to be fierce competition among the journalists for a position on the best and tallest ladders outside the hospital door.
How the ladders are looking and how it looks from the top of a ladder #LindoWing #GreatKateWait #RoyalBaby
Our reporter Mark Di Stefano is now on the scene. You can follow his updates on Twitter.
This is the swag set-up if you camp out for 13 days waiting for the #RoyalBaby. Heavy Diana influence.
Somewhere inside a #RoyalBaby is being born. Out here the world's media is being creepy and waiting.
I asked Terry Hutt who turned 80 waiting for the #RoyalBaby (and was sent this note) how he felt: "Cold. But happy"
The main differences between this birth and the last are that people are slightly less excited this time, and the reporters on the scene are using Periscope to inject excitement into proceedings.
LIVE on #Periscope: Live from the top of a very tall ladder https://t.co/Bemd6wzgwz
People on the internet have, predictably, been less than reverential about the birth of a new royal. We've rounded up the best jokes here.
A group of rugby fans from Toulon, in town for the European cup final, turned up outside the hospital and started singing very loudly. That's about as dramatic as it's been so far.
Rugby fans share excitement for arrival of Royal baby outside the Lindo wing http://t.co/NgpcD4teQt
The baby's birth will be announced (eventually) via a golden easel placed outside Buckingham Palace.
Though in these more modern times, the Palace press office also sends out an email first.
According to Victoria Newton of the Mirror, the Royal Mint will give 2,015 silver pennies to babies born on the same day as the royal baby.
The royal mint will give 2,015 silver pennies to babies born on the same day as the new #RoyalBaby
Presumably that's one penny per baby, rather than 2,015 each.
Prince Charles, the baby's grandfather, is at his Highgrove estate, but is apparently receiving regular updates.
If the baby is born today, it will share a birthday with Catherine the Great, Alan Titchmarsh, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and, of course, David Beckham.
Meanwhile, Prince George awaits news of his new sibling from Kensington Palace where he's being looked after by nanny
There appear to be two things the media want to know – what the baby is called, and which members of the royal family will come to visit him or her.
Various bookies have set up boards outside the hospital – "Alice" is still the hot favourite for the name if the baby is a girl.
Prince Harry will miss the birth, as he is on a placement with the Australian Defence Force.
But other members of the royal family are expected to visit. The greatest excitement concerns whether Prince George will come to visit his baby brother or sister.
According to a Buckingham Palace spokesperson, speaking to Sky News, the labour is "progressing normally".
The Lindo Wing apparently costs £6,000 a night approximately, plus another £6,000 a night for the doctors' fees. However, as a second-time customer, the duchess is apparently eligible for a 10% discount.
The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, has been admitted to hospital after going into labour with her second child.
HRH The Duchess of Cambridge was admitted at 06.00hrs to St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London and is in the early stages of labour.
The Duchess, who is married to Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, was admitted to the private Lindo wing of St Mary's Hospital in Paddington at 6 am. Her husband is with her, Kensington Palace said.
The couple have said that they do not know the sex of the child, which will be fourth in line to the throne.
The duchess, 33, made her last public appearance in March. During her pregnancy she suffered from an extreme form of morning sickness known as hyperemesis gravidarum.
The couple already has one son, Prince George, who was born in July 2013.
The prime minister wished the couple well Saturday morning.
My best wishes to the Duchess of Cambridge, who is having her second child today. The whole country will wish her well.
The royal family announced the pregnancy in October.
However, Buckingham Palace had refused to confirm a due date for the child, leading to endless speculation in the media about when he or she would actually arrive.
A two-car convoy with police motorcycle escort has been seen leaving the Bucklebury area heading for M4. Latest here: http://t.co/4Sse2hTHAN
Kensington Palace now answering their phones. They seem relaxed. Convoy may not have been the Middletons then. #RoyalBaby
Outside the Lindo Wing, the wait for the Royal baby continues for @KayBurley #GreatKateWait http://t.co/uWxUtrPMvq
Fans of the couple had been gathering outside the hospital for more than a week.
Earlier this week, the royal couple sent them some coffee and cake to thank them for their patience.
They also sent one of the royal super-fans, Terry Hutt, a cake to celebrate his 80th birthday.
It was wrapped in both blue and pink ribbon to avoid giving any clues about whether the baby would be a boy or a girl.
The Lindo wing was where the couple had their first child, Prince George, in July 2013.
There has been speculation that if it is a girl, they might name the baby after Princess Diana, the Duke's mother, or the Elizabeth, after the current queen (although Alice is the current favourite with the bookies).
The Duchess is reportedly planning on having a natural delivery.
This was the method by which Prince George was born. The duchess apparently did not need any powerful painkillers, although she did suffer, as mentioned above, from hyperemesis gravidarum during both pregnancies. This debilitating condition affects a minority of pregnant women and leads them to suffer from severe vomiting and other adverse symptoms.
Her team of consultants will be led by Alan Farthing, the Queen's surgeon-gynaecologist.
He will be accompanied by obstetrician Guy Thorpe-Beeston, a specialist in high-risk pregnancies who has a Harley Street practice and works at London's private Portland Hospital.
After the birth, it is believed the Duke and Duchess will spend a short period in Kensington Palace, their London residence, before heading to Anmer Hall on the Sandringham estate.
A retail expert at the Centre for Retail Research has claimed a royal princess could bring in up to £150m to the British economy.
Professor Joshua Bamfield told the Telegraph that fashion retailers would be the main beneficiaries.
This is a developing story. Check back later and follow @BuzzFeedNews on Twitter for updates.
