LONDON — Britain has a new princess.
The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to an 8-pound, 3-ounce baby girl Saturday morning at the Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Hospital in London, with her husband, Prince William, by her side.
In a statement, Kensington Palace said the duchess gave birth at 8:34 a.m. and that, “Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well.’’
The palace also said ‘‘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 royal newborn is fourth in line to the throne, knocking uncle Harry down a peg in the line of succession.
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Britain is in the middle of a parliamentary election campaign that many have found a bit drab — voters go to the polls on May 7 — and the news of the newest Windsor has been embraced as a ray of sunshine.
‘‘It’s a girl, it’s a girl!’’ shouted John Loughrey, 60, a self-described ‘‘super fan,’’ who was jumping up and down outside of the Lindo Wing, next to camera crews from around the world waiting to catch the world’s first glimpse of the baby.
‘‘Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their baby girl. I’m absolutely delighted for them,’’ British Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted.
The 33-year-old duchess, widely known as Kate, arrived at the hospital with her husband at 6 a.m. Saturday, their car slipping past a phalanx of photographers who were keeping watch.
In a nod to the times, the palace announced details of the birth with a news release followed shortly by notices on social media. The palace also continued its ancient tradition of posting a notice of a royal birth on a gilded easel in the courtyard of Buckingham Palace.
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Oddsmakers say favorite names for the newborn are Alice, Charlotte, and Elizabeth.
When the baby’s name is announced — the world was told of Prince George’s name when he was two days old — it will take the form of Her Royal Highness Princess (name) of Cambridge.