Royal baby: Duchess of Cambridge gives birth to a baby girl

The Duchess of Cambridge has given birth to a girl, Kensington Palace has announced.

The baby - who is fourth in line to the throne - was "safely delivered" at 08:34 BST, the palace said in a statement.

The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth of the baby, who weighs 8lbs 3oz (3.7kg).

Both Catherine and her daughter are "doing well", the statement added.

The name of the baby will be announced in due course.

For full coverage of the royal baby click here, and for continuing updates click here.

The duchess had earlier been admitted to the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital where their first child Prince George was born in July 2013.

The statement from Kensington Palace added: "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 latest royal joins the line of succession behind her grandfather Prince Charles, father Prince William and brother Prince George.

 The reporters, the camera crews, the hardy fans who've been camping outside had settled in for a long labour. It wasn't to be.

The news came in just after 11:00 BST - the duchess had given birth to a daughter just two-and-a-half hours after arriving at hospital.

As news filtered through outside St Mary's there were cries and cheers and an official town crier made his own birth announcement.

It's now a mass of media, police, royal fans and curious passers-by. The wait now begins again - will the duke and duchess and their new princess leave hospital today? All eyes are on the Lindo Wing door.