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Kate and William Leave the Hospital With Their New Princess Hours After Delivery

3 minute read

She’s less than 10 hours old, but the new royal baby girl has already made her first public appearance.

At 6:11 p.m. local time, the royal baby, along with her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, emerged from the Lindo Wing at St. Mary’s Hospital, in west London, and was met by crowds of well-wishers, photographers and journalists.

Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, who is more commonly known as Kate, left the hospital carrying her newborn daughter, wearing a yellow and white floral-patterned dress. The Duke of Cambridge, also known as Prince William, was at her side. The family posed for photographers before piling into a black Range Rover.

Prince William left the hospital on his own earlier in the day. He told reporters that he was “very happy” and was going to pick up Prince George. He then took the wheel of a Range Rover and drove to Kensington Palace. He arrived back shortly with his young son in tow and took him inside to meet his new sister. (George was later taken home while his parents stayed behind.)

Kate gave birth at 7:34 a.m. GMT (8:34 a.m. local time), according to an announcement from Kensington Palace, after being admitted to the hospital just hours earlier.

A notice announcing the birth was later placed on an easel outside Buckingham Palace. The new princess is Queen Elizabeth’s fifth great-grandchild. Prince Charles, who had earlier confessed that he was hoping for a granddaughter, along with his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, said they were “absolutely delighted” over the arrival.

The name of the baby has not yet been released. Royal babies are usually named after their ancestors and relatives, though odds at Britain’s bookmakers favor Alice and Charlotte.

Read More: How Birth Order Will Shape the New Royal Princess

The new baby will be fourth in line to the throne after Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince George. William’s brother, Prince Harry, will become fifth in line and every one else in the line of succession will move one step away from the throne.

The baby will be the first to benefit from changes to the laws of succession, which remove male bias. The baby can no longer be superseded by a younger brother.

William and Kate’s first child—whose full name is Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge—was born at the same hospital on July 22, 2013, at 4:24 p.m. weighing 8 lbs 6 oz.

The news that Kate was pregnant with a second child was first announced on Sept. 8, 2014, by Kensington Palace, the residence of the Cambridges. The announcement was made before the pregnancy had reached the 12-week stage because Kate suffered from severe morning sickness, which forced her to cancel public engagements.

Read Next: Why the New Royal Baby is 4th in Line for the Throne

See Kate Middleton's Best Pregnancy Looks

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge welcomes the President of Singapore Tony Tan Keng Yam at the Royal Garden Hotel on Oct. 21, 2014 in London.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge welcomes the President of Singapore Tony Tan Keng Yam at the Royal Garden Hotel on Oct. 21, 2014 in London.Chris Jackson—Getty Images
The Duchess Of Cambridge Visits Hope House
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visits Hope House, an Action on Addiction women's treatment centre on February 19, 2013 in London.Neil Mockford—FilmMagic/Getty Images
Prince William and Duchess Kate in Scotland
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visits the Donald Dewar Leisure Centre in Drumchapel to launch a new Scottish project for their Foundation in Glasgow on April 4, 2013.Rpe-Albert Nieboer—Picture-Alliance/dpa/AP
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge during the National Review of Queen's Scouts at Windsor Castle in Berkshire on April 21, 2013.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge during the National Review of Queen's Scouts at Windsor Castle in Berkshire on April 21, 2013. Olivia Harris—AFP/Getty Images
Duchess of Cambridge arriving for a visit the National Portrait Gallery in London to celebrate the work of The Art Room charity on April 24, 2013.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arriving for a visit the National Portrait Gallery in London to celebrate the work of The Art Room charity on April 24, 2013. John Stillwell—AP
Duchess of Cambridge arrives for her visit to Warner Bros studios in Leavesden, Herts where the popular Harry Potter movies were produced on April 26, 2013.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrives for her visit to Warner Bros studios in Leavesden, Herts where the popular Harry Potter movies were produced on April 26, 2013.Chris Jackson—AP
Duchess of Cambridge during her visit to Naomi House Children's Hospice in Winchester, Hampshire, England during Children's Hospice Week on April 29, 2013.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge during her visit to Naomi House Children's Hospice in Winchester, Hampshire, England during Children's Hospice Week on April 29, 2013.Steve Parsons—AP
Duchess of Cambridge attends a Garden Party in the grounds of Buckingham Palace, hosted by Queen Elizabeth II on June 30, 2013 in London.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends a Garden Party in the grounds of Buckingham Palace, hosted by Queen Elizabeth II on June 30, 2013 in London.John Stillwell—AP
Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday Parade: Trooping The Colour
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge stands on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the annual Trooping the Colour Ceremony on June 15, 2013 in London, England. Max Mumby—Indigo/Getty Images
Duchess to miss friends wedding
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends the Princess Cruises ship naming ceremony at Ocean Terminal on June 13, 2013 in Southampton, England.Chris Ison—AP

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