Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge
Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, waves a she leaves after visiting the Emma Bridgwater factory in Stoke-on-Trent.Reuters

Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton has given birth to a daughter.

Kensington Palace announced the news on Twitter, writing: "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 message noted.

Middleton went into labour in the early hours of Saturday, and was accompanied by husband Prince William.

"HRH The Duchess of Cambridge was admitted at 06.00hrs to St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, London and is in the early stages of labour. The Duchess travelled by car from Kensington Palace to the Lindo Wing at St. Mary's Hospital with The Duke of Cambridge," Kensington Palace's tweet read.

The baby girl is fourth in line to the throne after Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince George.

William and Middleton returned to the Lindo Ward at St Mary's, London for her second delivery too, as she received excellent care during the birth of her son, Prince George.

Anticipation around the birth of the second royal baby has been building up for days, as royal watchers were eager to know whether the baby would be a girl or a boy. For a while now, speculations have been rife that the second royal baby would be a girl, as Middleton was spotted shopping for pink baby clothes.

Also, Prince William has been vocal about his desire to have a baby girl, but both The Duke and Duchess insisted they do not know the gender of their second baby.

The palace was forced to announce Middleton's second pregnancy early, as the Duchess was suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, or severe pregnancy sickness, which forced her to cancel a number of planned public engagements.

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