Prince William's wife Kate gives birth to girl: palace

LONDON

Prince William's wife Kate on Saturday gave birth to a girl, who will be fourth in line to the British throne, Kensington Palace said in a statement.

"Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a daughter at 8.34 am," the statement said.

Curious onlookers had gathered outside a London hospital on Saturday to await the royal birth, joining media teams from around the world and a diehard group of royal superfans who have camped outside for days.

"I heard it on the radio, and I got up and came straight here. I can't wait!" said Michelle Lassiter, a 55-year-old charity worker who travelled from the town of Guildford near London with a fold-up chair.

"I've been on standby all week just in case!" she told AFP, waving a British Union Jack flag at the Lindo Wing of St Mary's hospital in Paddington where Prince William's wife Kate was admitted earlier.

Lassiter said that her family and friends thought she was "batty", but added: "It's history in the making. I hope to see them as they come out onto the steps."

Davina Johnson, 34, a new mother, came out of the clinic into the street in her slippers and dressing gown, wearing the plastic hospital tag on her wrist.

"They came to do the ward rounds this morning and said 'Kate's here'. So I rushed down," said Johnson, who has been in the central London hospital for the past week after giving birth prematurely.