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William and Kate show off new baby daughter

Prince William and his wife Catherine will spend their first day back home with their new baby daughter as Britain celebrates the birth of a new princess.

The couple, their one-year-old son Prince George and the new arrival are expected to spend time relaxing together at their Kensington Palace apartment, the day after Kate gave birth to a baby girl born fourth in line to the throne.

The beaming Duke and Duchess of Cambridge left hospital on Saturday carrying their newborn princess in front of hundreds of cheering well-wishers and the massed ranks of photographers from the world’s media.

Royal joy: Princess Kate gives birth to baby daughter
Little Princess only 180 years in the making

The sleeping baby was wrapped in a woollen shawl as a relaxed-looking Catherine, 33, cradled her in her arms in front of the private Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in central London.

William, 32, then drove his wife and daughter the short distance to Kensington Palace after carrying the baby out in a car seat.

Royal watchers will be keeping alert for first visits from William’s father Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, and from Kate’s parents, Michael and Carole Middleton.

William’s grandparents Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip will also be eager for a first glimpse of their fifth great-grandchild.

The baby is the first princess born into the British royal family since Princess Eugenie, daughter of the Queen’s second son Prince Andrew, 25 years ago.

British prime minister David Cameron led the congratulations.

“This is wonderful news and together with the whole of the country I want to give the warmest possible welcome to the new princess,” he told reporters.

“Kate and William are a remarkable couple. They’re loving, wonderful parents and this will be such a precious time.

“The whole country celebrates.”

US president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle spoke of their delight at the birth.

“On behalf of the American people, we wish the Duke and Duchess and their son George much joy and happiness,” the White House said in a statement.

A statement from Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Australia shared the young family’s joy.

“I am sure that the princess and her older brother, Prince George, will in time develop a deep familiarity and love of Australia,” he said.

Rare public glimpse of Prince George

It has been a busy weekend for media and royal watchers after Catherine gave birth within three hours of being admitted to hospital.

In a mix of the old and new, the birth was announced in a tweet from Kensington Palace and on a proclamation placed on a gilded easel in front of Buckingham Palace, where hundreds of onlookers gathered to witness the historic moment.

AAP

Prince William carries his son Prince George to the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in central London. Photo: AAP

“Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a daughter at 8:34am,” Kensington Palace said in a statement.

William was present for the birth and the princess weighed eight pounds and three ounces (3.7 kilograms).

William then left the hospital and returned with George to meet his little sister.

It was the first time since his own birth at the hospital in July 2013 that Prince George had been seen at a public event in Britain as his parents have shielded him from the media.

The new arrival sits fourth in line to the throne after Queen Elizabeth’s eldest son Charles, 66, his eldest son William and his eldest child George.

She is the first major royal who cannot be overtaken in the line of succession by any future younger brothers following changes to the monarchy’s rules to remove gender bias.

The royal couple are planning to spend the next few days at Kensington Palace.

They will then travel to Anmer Hall, their secluded 10-bedroom country mansion on Queen Elizabeth’s privately-owned Sandringham estate in Norfolk, eastern England.

Gun salutes will be fired across London on Monday to mark the birth.

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