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It's a princess! Duchess Kate, Prince William welcome royal baby

It's a princess! The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth May 2 to an 8-pound girl, her first daughter.
/ Source: TODAY

It’s a princess!

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcomed the newest heir to the British throne into the world on May 2.

Duchess Kate, 33, gave birth to the 8-pound, 3-ounce baby girl, the couple's first daughter, at St. Mary’s Hospital in London.

It's the same facility where Prince George, who visited his little sister soon after her birth, was born nearly two years earlier on July 22, 2013. Both William and Harry were also born at the medical facility.

The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Welcome A Daughter
Prince William and Prince George wave to press outside the Lindo Wing in London.Chris Jackson / Getty Images

WATCH: Prince William, Prince George arrive at hospital

Prince William kisses Prince George outside the Lindo Wing
Prince William kisses Prince George before they head in to meet the princess.LEON NEAL / AFP/Getty Images

“The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and members of both families have been informed and are delighted with the news,” a release from Kensington Palace said. "Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well."

Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla are "absolutely delighted" at the birth of the baby girl, Clarence House said via the Royal Press Association.

Following the announcement, a framed notice of the birth was put on display on a ceremonial easel in front of Buckingham Palace.

London immediately broke into celebration over the news of the little princess, with royal fans holding signs outside of the Lindo Wing at St. Mary's. Even the Tower Bridge was lit up to mark the occasion.

The royal navy sent their congratulations by spelling out "sister" on the HMS Lancaster.

The baby will be the fourth in line to the British throne after her brother, father and grandfather, Prince Charles. The baby is the second grandchild on both sides of the family.

As with her first pregnancy, the world first learned Duchess Kate was expecting after she had to withdraw from several royal engagements because she suffered from a severe form of morning sickness known as hyperemesis gravidarum. The condition sent the duchess to the hospital during her first pregnancy with Prince George, but this time around she did not require hospitalization.

The condition took the duchess out of the public eye for more than a month, but then she returned to a packed schedule of charity visits and other media events. She and Prince William also took a brief but jam-packed trip to the United States last December.

Although Prince William made a quick side visit to Washington, D.C., the couple mainly stayed in New York, where they toured the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum and attended an NBA game.

Beyonce and Jay-Z greet the Duchess of Cambridge following a Brooklyn Nets game last December.
Beyonce and Jay-Z greet the Duchess of Cambridge following a Brooklyn Nets game last December.Nathaniel S. Butler / Getty Images

They also attended a fundraiser at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for their alma mater, the University of St. Andrews. As with her first pregnancy, the world seized upon everything the duchess wore for telltale signs of a baby bump, and the black-tie gala did not disappoint: Kate was seen caressing a barely-there bulge while leaving the event.

Attending the St. Andrews 600th Anniversary Dinner at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Attending the St. Andrews 600th Anniversary Dinner at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.James Devaney / Getty Images

More recently, the duchess took on a packed schedule that would challenge anyone who wasn't entering their final month of a pregnancy.

After a March visit to an art gallery in southern England.
After a March visit to an art gallery in southern England.Suzanne Plunkett / AFP - Getty Images

In March, she attended a Westminster Abbey service to celebrate Commonwealth Day, visited the set of the hit television series "Downton Abbey" and handed out shamrock sprigs to Irish guardsmen on St. Patrick's Day.

Image: The Duchess Of Cambridge Visits The Set Of Downton Abbey At Ealing Studios
Duchess Kate is presented a train for Prince George by actor Oliver Barker, who plays a different George on "Downton Abbey."Chris Jackson / Getty Images
The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Attend St Patrick's Day Parade At Mons Barracks
At the St Patrick's Day Parade at Mons Barracks.Mark Cuthbert / Getty Images
Leaving a memorial service to mark the end of Britain's combat operations in Afghanistan.
Leaving a memorial service to mark the end of Britain's combat operations in Afghanistan.Ben Stansall / AFP - Getty Images

In anticipation of the newest arrival, Prince William recently went on paternity leave after finishing the first part of helicopter training for his new job as an air ambulance pilot. He will be on unpaid leave until June 1.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary on April 29. When the royal couple had their first child, Duchess Kate was discharged from St. Mary's hospital a day after giving birth.

The duke and duchess leaving with their at-the-time unnamed newborn son at St Mary's Hospital on July 23, 2013.
The duke and duchess leaving with their at-the-time unnamed newborn son at St Mary's Hospital on July 23, 2013.Oli Scarff / Getty Images

That day Prince William told the crowd as he left that he and his wife were still "working on a name." By the next day, the palace announced the baby had been named George Alexander Louis.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana took a week to announce Will's name.

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