It was the moment royal fans the world over had been waiting for; at 6.10pm on Saturday 2 May, the doors to the Lindo Wing opened, and Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton, stepped out to greet the waiting press with their newborn baby daughter.
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Less than ten hours after her arrival, the tiny Princess of Cambridge made her first official appearance on the steps outside the private maternity unit at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, cradled in the arms of her proud mother.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe new Princess of Cambridge was born at 8:34am on 2 May
Swaddled in a white G. Hurt & Son blanket and wearing a little bonnet, the newest member of the royal family slept peacefully, oblivious to the global excitement surrounding her arrival.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe proud parents gazed adoringly at their newborn daughter
Kate looked radiant and blissfully happy as she presented her beautiful baby girl with her husband William by her side. The 33-year-old Duchess sported a bespoke cream-and-yellow silk dress by Jenny Packham – the designer behind the blue polka dot dress she wore when she left the hospital with Prince George.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe relaxed couple were keen to get back to Kensington Palace before Prince George's bedtime
Delighted Prince William smiled widely as he stood protectively with his wife and their baby girl.
New parents-of-two William and Kate waved as they exited the hospital to cheers from staff, well-wishers and the gathered media.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe little girl is fourth-in-line to the throne
They then went back inside the Lindo Wing and placed their baby daughter in a car seat, emerging a few moments later before the Prince drove his wife and their newborn home to Kensington Palace.
Prince George visited his baby sister at the London hospital earlier in the day
Big brother Prince George, who met his baby sister at the hospital earlier on Saturday, had already been taken back home and was awaiting his family's return.The scene at the Lindo Wing echoed that which followed the arrival of little George in July 2013, as did the excited atmosphere as the world got its very first glimpse of the new Princess of Cambridge.Unlike when George arrived, however, the new baby's proud grandparents did not pay a visit to the hospital.
© Photo: Getty ImagesKate sported a bespoke dress by Jenny Packham
The Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and Carole and Michael Middleton will no doubt be introduced to their new grandchild when she is at Kensington Palace.
