The easel announcing the arrival of the new Princess of Cambridge has been placed on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. At 12.30pm on Saturday, two footmen exited the palace's Privy Purse door carrying the all-important document, which they then placed on an ornate easel just behind the gates.
SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEOIn keeping with royal tradition, the brief notice confirmed the news that the Duchess of Cambridge "was safely delivered of a daughter". Presented on palace-headed foolscap-sized paper, the framed bulletin also stated that the little Princess had come into the world at 8.34am, weighing 8lbs, 3oz.
© Photo: PAThe easel was placed at Buckingham Palace at 12.30pm
Just a short time before, a press officer had left the Lindo Wing, where Prince William and Kate are enjoying precious first moments with their baby girl. The employee took the document with details of the baby's arrival on the two-mile journey to Buckingham Palace to deliver the official bulletin.
The practice of posting the bulletin to announce a royal birth has been in place for at least as long as Buckingham Palace has been the official royal residence, dating back from 1837.
© Photo: PAThe easel will be removed after 24 hours
The announcement will be left in place for approximately 24 hours, then will be sent to the Privy Council Office for the details to be recorded in the Privy Council records.
Kensington Palace announced the safe arrival of the royal baby at 11am on Saturday morning. The Twitter message confirmed that "The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales & The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry & members of both families have been informed. Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well. "After being admitted to hospital, Kate was in labour for just over two hours under the supervision of consultant obstetrician Guy Thorpe-Beeston. Also present was consultant neonatologist Sunit Godambe, who both attended the birth of her first baby.
© Photo: Getty ImagesIt's the same easel used to announce Prince William and Prince George's birth
William and Kate's daughter is the first girl to have been born to a direct heir to the throne since the Queen gave birth to Princess Anne 64 years ago, and is the monarch's fifth great-grandchild.
While the baby's arrival was quickly announced, it may be a while before the nation finds out what the newest member of the royal family has been called. When Prince George arrived in July 2013, it was a few days before his proud new parents revealed his names.
