After
the sex of the royal baby was announced, attention turned to what the
name might be given to the little Princess of Cambridge.
Throughout
Kate Middleton's pregnancy, punters have been rushing to place bets on
the name - with some guesses more bizarre than others.
While
the Cambridges are unlikely to bestow the name Khaleesi on their
daughter (an outsider at Paddy Power with odds of 500/1), picks with a
royal pedigree, like Alexandra, are considerably more likely.
For weeks, Alice, the name of Queen Victoria's second daughter, was the bookies' favourite.
But yesterday it was overtaken by Charlotte, according to William Hill.
The name - a feminine form of Charles - is also the middle name of Kate's beloved sister, Pippa.
William HIll is offering odds of 5/4 on the name now that the sex of the baby has been announced.
But other bookies have Alice still as their top pick - with Ladbrokes offering odds of 5/4.
Other popular choices include Victoria (7/1, William Hill), Elizabeth (9/2, William Hill) and Alexandra (9/1, William Hill.
While Diana, the name of William's late mother, is still in the running at 10/1.
He said he did not expect the birth to happen so quickly after Kate was admitted but said: 'Babies come when they're ready.'
The
Queen, who is in Richmond, North Yorkshire, to attend the amalgamation
parade of The Queen's Lancers with the Duke of York, will not visit her
new great-grandchild in hospital however Prince Charles and Camilla may
do so as they did with Prince George.
Kate's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, are looking after the toddler at Kensington Palace.
Prince Harry, who is currently in Australia, was seen at a football game as news of his niece's birth emerged.
Kate's
labour is believed to have been shorter than when she gave birth to
Prince George. The prince was welcomed around 11 hours after she was
admitted to the Lindo Wing on July 22, 2013, while the newborn princess
arrived just two-and-a-half hours after Kate was driven there this
morning.
The baby girl, who arrived around one week late, is three pounds lighter than her big brother was when he was born.
After
leaving St Mary's Hospital, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are
expected to spend one night at Kensington Palace before retreating to
their Norfolk home Anmer Hall with Prince George and Kate's parents.
William
and Kate’s new daughter, a younger sister for Prince George, who was
born at the same hospital in July 2013, is fourth in line to the throne.
Although
she is unlikely to ever become queen, it is not unheard of for a second
child in the direct line of succession to accede to the throne.
Mostly
recently the Queen’s own father, King George VI, replaced his elder
brother, King Edward VIII, who abdicated over his love for the
‘unsuitable’ American divorcee Wallis Simpson.
Thanks
to a recent change in the law, the couple’s daughter cannot be
superseded in her claim to the throne by any younger brother who may yet
come along.
The
Succession to the Crown Act, passed in 2013, means that male heirs no
longer precede their elder sisters in the line of succession
A
2012 intervention by the Queen also means that the new baby will
automatically become an HRH – Her Royal Highness – and be permitted to
take the title of princess.
As the second child of the second heir to the throne she would, until then, only have been a Lady.
Her
arrival will shunt her uncle, Prince Harry, down to fifth in the order
of succession. Her great uncle, Prince Andrew, will fall out of the top
five for the first time to sixth.
Many
royal watchers had been desperately hoping for a girl – the last to be
born in the direct line of succession was Princess Anne back in 1950.
Both Prince Charles and William’s late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, both openly longed for a girl to add to their family.
Upon news
of the princess's arrival bookmakers outside the hospital wiped boys
names from betting boards with Alice the hot favourite at odds of five
to four
Fans react to the long-awaited news of the princess's birth this morning shortly after the announcement was made at around 11am
A couple
leave the Lindo Wing this morning shortly after the announcement that
the Duchess of Cambridge had given birth. The unknown couple graciously
posed for photographs for the waiting press
The BT tower celebrated the news with a rolling purple banner which read 'it's a girl' this afternoon in central London
Ukip leader Nigel Farage celebrated
the baby girl's arrival this afternoon. He was in a pub in Ramsgate
ahead of the general election on Thursday
Armed Metropolitan Police officers
were seen outside the hospital for the first time this week after daily
security checks were carried out in preparation for the royal arrival
Members of the media set up camp
outside the hospital this morning after having been warned against
gathering until the Duchess was admitted
Well-wishers wave await news after
pitching up outside St Mary's Hospital this morning. While members of
the media were not allowed to gather outside the hospital until this
morning, hospital staff have allowed some well-wishers to camp on the
street since last week
A royal 'superfan' awaits the arrival
of the new prince or princess this morning outside the Lindo Wing. The
Duchess of Cambridge was admitted at 6am and gave birth two-and-a-half
hour later
Royal fan Terry Hutt stands proudly as
he is interviewed by Sky News presenters Kay Burley and Rhiannon Mills
after waiting outside the Lindo Wing overnight. Mr Hutt was sent a
birthday card and cake by Kensington Palace earlier this week as he
turned 80
The Duchess of Cambridge was admitted
to the private Lindo Wing this morning at 6am and gave birth
two-and-half hours later. It is not known whether she will leave the
hospital this afternoon or spend the night there
