The princess whom everyone was hoping for has been born in London.
Media and royalists had settled in for a long day's wait but the announcement came at 11am on Saturday, only five hours after the Duchess of Cambridge had entered hospital in the early stages of labour.
Kensington Palace made the announcement by email and Twitter, and an official notice was on display at Buckingham Palace within hours.
"The Duchess of Cambridge has been delivered of a daughter," the announcement said. "Her royal highness the Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a daughter at 8.34am. The baby weighs 8lbs 3oz.
"The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth. 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.
"Her royal highness and her child are both doing well."
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a daughter at 8.34am.— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal)
May 2, 2015
Australia's Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove welcomed the birth.
"On behalf of all Australians, Lynne and I send our heartfelt congratulations to Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on this wonderful occasion," Sir Peter said in a statement late on Saturday.
"We look forward to seeing the whole Cambridge family in Australia sometime in the future."
Prime Minister Tony Abbott also congratulated the royal couple, saying in a statement: "On behalf of all Australians, Margie and I extend to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge congratulations on the birth of a daughter. The birth of a baby is a great moment for any family and Australia shares this young family's joy. We wish the young Princess a long and happy life.
"I am sure that the Princess and her older brother, Prince George, will in time develop a deep familiarity and love of Australia – feelings the rest of their family already share."
The Duchess of Cambridge arrived at the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, in north-west London, at 6am on Saturday.
According to some media reports, the duchess was up to a week overdue.
British celebrity GP Dr Hilary Jones caused a stir on Monday when she suggested the royal couple should have sex to bring on the birth. It is not known whether the duke and duchess followed his advice.
The medical team at the hospital was led by obstetrician Guy Thorpe-Beeston, who was also on the team for the birth of Prince George, assisted by the Queen's surgeon-gynaecologist Alan Farthing. The hospital is being paid for privately.
Royalists and well-wishers had gathered at the hospital for more than a week in anticipation.
On Tuesday, Kensington Palace sent them coffee, Danish pastries and croissants in appreciation.
There was some doubt that Catherine would end up at St Mary's after it emerged that a superbug infection had closed one of its wards.
However a "deep clean" of the affected ward – which is in a separate building to the Lindo Wing – earned it the all-clear. The duchess gave birth to Prince George in the Lindo Wing on July 22, 2013.
Palace sources said the couple did not know if they were having a boy or girl. On Thursday, Prince Charles said he was hoping for a granddaughter.
Catherine and the Princess left hospital on Saturday evening in London (Sunday morning AEST) to spend a few days at Kensington Palace, before moving up to their home in Norfolk.
The couple were expected to announce the child's name a few days after the birth.
Prince William will take two weeks' paternity leave from work, and the duchess is expected to focus on her two young children over the summer.
