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Prince Harry Calls His New Niece ‘Absolutely Beautiful’

2 minute read

Prince Harry may be all the way in Australia, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t seen his new niece yet.

In a statement from Kensington Palace, the prince, 30, said that Prince William and Princess Kate‘s new daughter is “absolutely beautiful.”

Harry is currently stationed on secondment to the Australian Defense Force. On Saturday, he was spotted taking in an Australian football game just as the world was learning about the arrival of the new princess. (He won’t return to Britain until late May.)

Additionally, the palace said that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are “grateful” for all the congratulations and well-wishes that have been sent their way.

“The Duke and Duchess are hugely grateful for the messages of congratulations they have received from people all over the world,” the statement read. “It means a great deal to them that so many people have celebrated the arrival of their new daughter.”

Oh Baby: 121 Years Of Infant Royals On Camera

This was the last time a Queen met her greatgrandchild. In 1894, Queen Victoria holds the newly christened Prince Edward, later Edward VIII.
This was the last time a Queen met her greatgrandchild. In 1894, Queen Victoria holds the newly christened Prince Edward, later Edward VIII.Popperfoto/Getty Images
This tot, pictured in 1896, didn't expect to be king but when his elder brother Edward VIII abdicated, George VI took over.
This tot, pictured in 1896, didn't expect to be king but when his elder brother Edward VIII abdicated, George VI took over. Popperfoto/Getty Images
Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, born to the Scottish aristocracy in 1900, would become royal through marriage to the future George VI. Their eldest daughter is the current Queen.
Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, born to the Scottish aristocracy in 1900, would become royal through marriage to the future George VI. Their eldest daughter is the current Queen. Popperfoto/Getty Images
In 1926, as a tiny baby, Princess Elizabeth already displays the solemn face that she has deployed so often in her public duties since becoming Queen.
In 1926, as a tiny baby, Princess Elizabeth already displays the solemn face that she has deployed so often in her public duties since becoming Queen.Bob Thomas–Popperfoto/Getty Images
The naughty sister: the baby Princess Margaret, flanked by Princess Elizabeth and their mother, led a colorful life. Prevented from marrying her first love, a divorced commoner, she later married, and divorced, fashionable photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones.
The naughty sister: the baby Princess Margaret, flanked by Princess Elizabeth and their mother, led a colorful life. Prevented from marrying her first love, a divorced commoner, she later married, and divorced, fashionable photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones. Popperfoto/Getty Images
Before Princes Charles was born in 1948, his grandfather King George VI did away with a long-held custom that demanded the Home Secretary be present at royal births. Here Charles is pictured with his mother, at that stage still Princess Elizabeth.
Before Princes Charles was born in 1948, his grandfather King George VI did away with a long-held custom that demanded the Home Secretary be present at royal births. Here Charles is pictured with his mother, at that stage still Princess Elizabeth. AP
Princess Anne, second child of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, pictured at her 1950 christening, must have been born with horse sense. She won a gold and two silver medals at European equestrian competitions and rode for the U.K. in the 1976 Olympics.
Princess Anne, second child of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, pictured at her 1950 christening, must have been born with horse sense. She won a gold and two silver medals at European equestrian competitions and rode for the U.K. in the 1976 Olympics.Fox Photos/Getty Images
She already had an heir. Here's Queen Elizabeth with the spare: a chubby, 6-month-old Prince Andrew, in the grounds of Balmoral Castle, Scotland in 1960.
She already had an heir. Here's Queen Elizabeth with the spare: a chubby, 6-month-old Prince Andrew, in the grounds of Balmoral Castle, Scotland in 1960.AP
This 1964 snap of Prince Edward in his cot, with brother Andrew and his mother, the Queen, already suggests an interest in what's going on behind the camera. He went on to found a TV production company in 1993.
This 1964 snap of Prince Edward in his cot, with brother Andrew and his mother, the Queen, already suggests an interest in what's going on behind the camera. He went on to found a TV production company in 1993.AP
The Queen admires her first grandchild, Peter Phillips, at Balmoral Castle in November 1977. Peter's mother, Princess Anne, declined royal titles for both of her children.
The Queen admires her first grandchild, Peter Phillips, at Balmoral Castle in November 1977. Peter's mother, Princess Anne, declined royal titles for both of her children.Anwar Hussein
Zara Tindall, née Phillips has become a top flight equestrian, like mom Princess Anne. Pictured here in 1981, mother and daughter were much photographed at the 2012 Olympics when Anne presented Zara with a silver medal.
Zara Tindall, née Phillips has become a top flight equestrian, like mom Princess Anne. Pictured here in 1981, mother and daughter were much photographed at the 2012 Olympics when Anne presented Zara with a silver medal.Lichfield–Getty Images
"And one day you will marry a beautiful Princess called Kate." Prince William looks to the future, in 1983.
"And one day you will marry a beautiful Princess called Kate." Prince William looks to the future, in 1983.Tim Graham–Getty Images
Prince Harry, aged 9 months, watches a military parade with his mother Diana, Princess of Wales, and brother William, in 1985.
Prince Harry, aged 9 months, watches a military parade with his mother Diana, Princess of Wales, and brother William, in 1985. Roy Letkey–Reuters
The spitting image of her dad Prince Andrew, but for the red hair inherited from mother Sarah, Duchess of York, Princess Beatrice looks pensive at her 1988 christening.
The spitting image of her dad Prince Andrew, but for the red hair inherited from mother Sarah, Duchess of York, Princess Beatrice looks pensive at her 1988 christening.Tim Graham–Getty Images
Another addition to the house of York: Princess Eugenie, with her mother Sarah, at her christening in 1990.
Another addition to the house of York: Princess Eugenie, with her mother Sarah, at her christening in 1990. Bill Allen–AP
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, with their newborn baby boy, Prince George of Cambridge, Tilly the retriever, left, a Middleton family pet and Lupo, the couple's cocker spaniel, right, at the Middleton family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire, in early August, 2013.
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, with their newborn baby boy, Prince George of Cambridge, Tilly the retriever, left, a Middleton family pet and Lupo, the couple's cocker spaniel, right, at the Middleton family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire, in early August, 2013. Michael Middleton–AFP/Getty Images
Prince George and his sister Princess Charlotte at Anmer Hall in Norfolk, Britain, mid-May 2015.
Prince George and his sister Princess Charlotte at Anmer Hall in Norfolk, Britain, mid-May 2015. HRH The Duchess of Cambridge

MORE: This Is What It’s Like to Grow Up as a British Royal

The palace also confirmed what we already knew – that the new princess’s grandparents and Kate’s sister Pippa Middleton had visited the new arrival on Sunday morning.

No word on whether Queen Elizabeth II has seen the child yet, but she was reportedly spotted in Sandringham on Sunday. She did get in on the fun by wearing a hot pink ensemble during a royal engagement on Saturday.

As for people hoping to hear about the new princess’s name, you’ll have to wait – PEOPLE has learned that the name won’t be released on Sunday.

Until then, we’re sure the name speculation will keep everyone entertained.

—Reporting by Simon Perry

This article originally appeared on People.com

 

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