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The Duchess of Cambridge has given birth to a girl, Kensington Palace has announced.
The baby – who is fourth in line to the throne – was “safely delivered” at 08:34 BST, the palace said in a statement.
The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth of the baby, who weighs 8lbs 3oz (3.7kg).
Both Catherine and her daughter are “doing well”, the statement added.
The name of the baby will be announced in due course.
The duchess had earlier been admitted to the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital where their first child Prince George was born in July 2013.
The statement from Kensington Palace added: “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.”
The latest royal joins the line of succession behind her grandfather Prince Charles, father Prince William and brother Prince George.
Crowds began gathering after it was announced Catherine was in labour
The reporters, the camera crews, the hardy fans who’ve been camping outside had settled in for a long labour. It wasn’t to be.
The news came in just after 11:00 BST – the duchess had given birth to a daughter just two-and-a-half hours after arriving at hospital.
As news filtered through outside St Mary’s there were cries and cheers and an official town crier made his own birth announcement.
It’s now a mass of media, police, royal fans and curious passers-by. The wait now begins again – will the duke and duchess and their new princess leave hospital today? All eyes are on the Lindo Wing door.
The Royal Navy posted this celebratory picture by the crew of HMS Lancaster
Police are guarding the entrance to the hospital
Prince George, the duke and duchess’s first child, will be two years old in July
Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: “Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their baby girl. I’m absolutely delighted for them.”
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg tweeted that he and his wife Miriam wished the family “all the best”.
And Labour leader Ed Miliband wrote: “Congratulations to the duke and duchess on the birth of their daughter. Wishing them lots of joy and happiness – and hopefully some sleep!”
Some fans of the Royal Family have been outside the hospital for days
A large number of journalists, photographers and broadcasters had gathered after the announcement this morning that Catherine was in labour.
Following the announcement of the birth, standing on the steps of the Lindo Wing, unofficial town crier Tony Appleton told crowds: “We welcome with humble duty the new baby of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
“The princess is fourth in line to the throne.”
The new royal will not be overtaken in the line of succession by any future younger brothers.
Under new rules which came into force in March, male bias was removed from the succession rules.
The princess will also be able to marry a Roman Catholic without losing her place in line to the throne.
BBC