LONDON -- Britain has a new princess after Kate Middleton gave birth Saturday morning to a 8lb 3oz baby girl in London.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's big news was announced on Twitter by Kensington Palace shortly after 11 a.m. BST a few hours after the delivery, which happened at 8:34 a.m. BST (3:34 a.m. ET).
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a daughter at 8.34am.— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 2, 2015
William, Kate and the new princess left hospital shortly after 6 p.m. BST, just over 12 hours after the the Duchess first arrived at the hospital. They did not speak to the media.
#WelcomeToTheFamily pic.twitter.com/tTJD4wU5QY— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 2, 2015
It is likely to be a couple of days before we know the new baby’s name. In 2013, Kate and William made the announcement a day after the Duchess left hospital, which was two days after George was born — so the rampant speculation and betting will continue a little longer.
The new baby girl is the fourth in line to the throne, behind Prince George who will turn two on July 22. Prince Harry has been pushed back into fifth place, while Prince Andrew -- the Queen’s second son and the new child's great uncle -- is now sixth in line.
Prince William who left the hospital shortly before 4 p.m. BST said he was "very happy" and was on his way back home to see Prince George.
The Duke of Cambridge leaving the hospital to see Prince Grorge A video posted by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on May 2, 2015 at 8:05am PDT
He returned less than 30 minutes later with Prince George who was lifted out of the car before taking a few steps and reaching up to his father to be carried into the hospital. Before they went through the doors, the two, who were dressed in matching outfits, turned around and gave a wave to the media and fans outside.
Kensington Palace, which earlier tweeted that the Duchess had gone into labour, also gave details about the new baby's weight.
The baby weighs 8lbs 3oz. The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth.— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 2, 2015
"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 palace said in a statement emailed to media. "Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well."
Following tradition, the announcement of the birth was placed on an easel in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace for the public to view — when George Alexander Louis, or Prince George of Cambridge, was born, people lined up to read the board.
[img src="http://admin.mashable.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/golden-easel.jpg" caption="The easel says: "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a daughter at 8.34am today. Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well."" credit="Steve Parsons/Pool" alt="Britain Royal Baby"]
The Duchess of Cambridge had arrived at the Lindo Wing of St. Mary's Hospital in London at 6 a.m. BST.
The Duchess travelled by car from Kensington Palace to the Lindo Wing at St. Mary’s Hospital with The Duke of Cambridge.— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 2, 2015
The medical staff who were present for the birth included Guy Thorpe-Beeston, Surgeon Gynaecologist to The Royal Household, Mr Alan Farthing, Surgeon Gynaecologist to the Queen, Dr Sunit Godambe, Consultant Neonatologist at Imperial College NHS Trust, Professor Huw Thomas, Physician to the Queen and Head of the Medical Household.
The Queen was in on a visit to Richmond Castle to attend the amalgamation parade of The Queen's Royal Lancers and 9th/12th Royal Lancers. But she was captured by photographers with a broad smile on her face.
On Twitter, Prime Minister David Cameron joined well wishers who were celebrating the arrival of the new royal baby.
Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their baby girl. I'm absolutely delighted for them.— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) May 2, 2015
The crew of the HMS Lancaster made their own tribute to the new royal.
HMS Lancaster, known as the ‘Queen’s Frigate’, sent a message of congratulations to @KensingtonRoyal on the new birth pic.twitter.com/gBPY85Atp0— Royal Navy (@RoyalNavy) May 2, 2015
The 191-metre-tall BT Tower projected the news far and wide.
BT Tower pic.twitter.com/LwVzqksEhk— Anthea (@AntheaLondon) May 2, 2015
Transport for London were even announcing it.
Let's not get carried away... #royalbaby pic.twitter.com/0Rylj7YcSs— Paul Brown (@pbsportswriter) May 2, 2015
Tower Bridge will turn pink later on this evening to celebrate the news.
Congratulations to the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of a baby girl! Tonight we'll turn pink to celebrate. pic.twitter.com/m18I7baN4W— Tower Bridge (@TowerBridge) May 2, 2015
A number of police were stationed outside the Lindo Wing, while well wishers and the press waited outside for news.
Unlike in July 2013, for Prince George's birth, journalists and crews were not allowed to camp out in front of the hospital for days in advance, instead broadcasters were given positions near Buckingham Palace. However once the Duchess went into labour, press streamed into the media area across from the doors to the hospital filling up the press pens.
Additional reporting by The Associated Press