Britain's Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, has given birth to a baby girl. Her husband, Prince William, has visited mother and baby in hospital with big brother Prince George.

Britain's Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcomed the latest addition to their family on Saturday.

Kate Middleton, the wife of Prince William, gave birth to a baby girl at a London hospital.

The newborn is the couple's second child and a sister to 1-year-old Prince George.

The British royal family's newest member was born at 8:34 a.m. (0734 GMT), around 2-1/2 hours after the duchess was admitted in the early stages of labor to St Mary's Hospital, West London.

The baby princess will be fourth in line to the throne behind her brother George, father William and grandfather Prince Charles, pushing her uncle Prince Harry down a place in the royal hierarchy.

The couple's royal residency, Kensington Palace, announced that the baby girl, whose name had yet to be confirmed, weighed 8 pounds 3 ounces (3.7 kilograms) and William was present at the birth.

"Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well," it added.

William left the hospital later in the afternoon, but soon returned with Prince George to introduce him to his new sister.

"I'm very happy," he told reporters and the large crowd of royal fans, some of whom had been camping outside the hospital for days.

The new arrival was 89-year-old Queen Elizabeth's fifth great-grandchild.

Britain's leading politicians took time out from the election campaign trail to send their best wishes.

Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their baby girl. I'm absolutely delighted for them."

Labour leader Ed Miliband said the news was fantastic and added, "I know the whole country will be wishing them well."

Britain's bookmakers had been taking bets on the baby girl's name, with Charlotte, Alice, Victoria and Elizabeth the current favorites.

US comedienne and talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres had her own ideas about a possible name:

32-year-old Prince William was born at the same hospital to the late Princess Diana in 1982.

lw/jil (AP, Reuters)