The baby, Prince William and Kate's second child, was born Saturday morning and weighed 8 pounds 3 ounces (3.7 kilograms), officials said.

 

She is fourth in line to the throne and the fifth great-grandchild of 89-year-old Queen Elizabeth II. Britain hasn't welcomed a princess born this high up the line of succession for decades.

 

Speculation² about the new royal's name has been frenetic: Alice and Charlotte are the clear favorites, followed by Elizabeth, Victoria and Diana – all names with strong royal connections.

 

Royal children are usually given several names – the baby's brother was christened George Alexander Louis – so the princess's name could incorporate more than one of those guesses.

 

Anticipation³ had been building for weeks after Kate, 33, told a well-wisher she was due around late April. Still, journalists were caught slightly off guard when she delivered barely three hours after checking into the hospital at dawn Saturday. William, 32, was present at the birth.

 

The couple later emerged on the hospital steps with the infant to briefly⁴ pose for photographers before leaving for their home at nearby Kensington Palace. Kate, who wore a yellow-and-white floral shift dress by British designer Jenny Packham, held the sleeping baby wrapped in a white shawl.

 

The couple looked relaxed but didn't answer any questions. William earlier told reporters he was "very happy" as he brought young George to the hospital to meet his baby sister. George, looking slightly alarmed by all the cameras, waved dutifully at the adoring crowds.

 

The queen and senior royals were "delighted with the news," officials said. The queen marked the occasion by wearing a pink ensemble⁵ while carrying out an official engagement in North Yorkshire, 250 miles (400 kilometers) north of London.

点击收听单词发音