For the mother he lost: William ensures most poignant of tributes to the Princess the Palace tried to forget in naming of his daughter

  • Kate and William have chosen to name the baby after The Queen and William's late mother, the Princess of Wales
  • Name announced by Kensington Palace two days after the princess's birth - she was born on Saturday morning 
  • Charlotte, which is French in origin, is feminine version of Charles, a nod to her grandfather, the Prince of Wales
  • Diana's closest friend Rosa Monckton said: 'Diana's spirit lives on in her sons, and now her name lives on in her granddaughter'

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The Princess of Cambridge has finally been revealed to the world as Charlotte Elizabeth Diana - in a touching nod to her grandfather, her grandmother and her great-grandmother. 

Kensington Palace revealed the royal baby's full name yesterday after days of speculation and close friends of Princess Diana immediately said the choice means the spirit of Prince William’s beloved mother ‘lives on’.

The Duke of Cambridge was determined to pay tribute to his mother – despite the efforts of some palace courtiers to have Diana airbrushed from royal history.

William was, however, clear that his baby girl should not have Diana as a first name. ‘It would have been a millstone around her neck,’ said one of the princess’s long-time friends.

Within minutes of the name being announced this afternoon, Diana's closest friend Rosa Monckton said: 'Diana's spirit lives on in her sons, and now her name lives on in her granddaughter #CharlotteElizabethDiana'. Diana was the godmother of Mrs Monckton's daughter Domenica. 

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The newborn princess spent her first night at home in Kensington Palace after being presented for the first time on the steps of the Lindo Wing yesterday evening. Born at 8,34am on Saturday, the baby girl slept soundly as her proud parents showed her off

After days of speculation, the name of the Princess of Cambridge has finally been revealed to the world as Charlotte Elizabeth Diana 

A princess called Charlotte — a name that is French in origin — is a nod to her grandfather, the Prince of Wales. Charlotte is also the middle name of Kate's sister Pippa Middleton
Queen Elizabeth II
Diana

A princess called Charlotte — a name that is French in origin — is a nod to her grandfather, the Prince of Wales, while Elizabeth and Diana are in tribute to William's 89-year-old grandmother (centre) and his late mother (right)

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have said they are 'hugely grateful' for the warm wishes of millions of people who celebrated their daughter's birth yesterday 

A royal source said they understood the couple (pictured on Saturday) simply liked the name – but admitted it was a 'happy coincidence' that both William's father and mother would live on in their granddaughter

Just moments after the name was announced, Diana's friend Rosa Monckton tweeted that William's mother 'lives on in her granddaughter'

Just moments after the name was announced, Diana's friend Rosa Monckton tweeted that William's mother 'lives on in her granddaughter'

The Princess of Cambridge, who is now fourth in line to the throne, was born on Saturday, weighing 8lb 3oz. Kate and William, who returned home to Kensington Palace less than 12 hours later, sought the blessing of both the Queen and Prince Charles before announcing what they had decided to call their daughter.

Announcing the name, the couple's statement said: 'The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to announce that they have named their daughter Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. The baby will be known as Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge.'

It is believed that Kate and William, who first showed their baby daughter to the world on Saturday morning outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital in London, will travel to Norfolk tomorrow where the new princess is reportedly due to meet with The Queen for the first time.

A princess called Charlotte — a name that is French in origin — is a nod to her grandfather, the Prince of Wales, while Elizabeth and Diana are an obvious mark of respect to William's 89-year-old grandmother and his late mother respectively.

Royal aides told MailOnline that the baby's second names were self-evident and would 'speak for themselves'. As for Charlotte, they pointed out that much had been written about it being the feminine form of Charles.

Another royal source said they understood the couple simply liked the name – but admitted it was a 'happy coincidence' that both William's father and mother would live on in their grand-daughter. 

For William, naming his daughter after Charles will be seen as a clear public demonstration of his love for the prince.

William is protective of his father, defending him against criticism he has often faced and often speaking of his deep admiration for the amount of time the prince commits to his charitable work. 

The Prince of Wales strove to protect William and Prince Harry following the death of their mother and backed them as they have worked to honour her memory through their charitable connections.

They, in turn, accepted and supported him when he married Camilla Parker Bowles, now the Duchess of Cornwall. 

Charlotte is also the middle name of Kate's sister Pippa Middleton. In French, it means 'petite' and 'feminine' or 'free man'. 

In royal history, George IV named his only child Charlotte, but she died in childbirth at 21. George III's wife was Queen Charlotte, who was born 1744 and founded Kew Gardens. She used it instead of her given first name, Sophie.

According to the Office for National Statistics, Charlotte was the 21st most popular name for girls in England and Wales in 2013. Its popularity is expected to fall following the announcement.

Sasha Miller, of BabyCentre said: ‘It’s a lovely name but parents don’t want to be labelled as having been influenced by others in their baby name choice.’

A PRINCESS CALLED CHARLOTTE: NAMED AFTER PRINCE CHARLES AND PIPPA MIDDLETON'S MIDDLE NAME

A princess called Charlotte — a name that is French in origin — is a nod to the little's girl grandfather, the Prince of Wales. Charlotte is also the middle name of Kate's sister Pippa Middleton. 

In choosing to call their daughter Charlotte, the Cambridges have picked a traditional name with royal connections.

Queen Charlotte was the wife of George III, known as the 'mad king', and was a keen botanist who founded the world-renowned Kew Gardens.

Queen Charlotte (pictured left) was the wife of George III, known as the 'mad king', and was a keen botanist who founded the world-renowned Kew Gardens. Elizabeth is the name of The Queen, The Queen Mother (right) and also Kate's middle name

Their first daughter was called Charlotte and George IV also gave the name to his only child. It has featured in Kate's family as her sister Pippa Middleton has it as her middle name.

The name was particularly popular in the 18th and 19th centuries due to Queen Charlotte's influence in tandem with that of novelist Charlotte Bronte. It rose in popularity in the 1980s, particularly in the UK and Australia.

Surprisingly, popularity of the name Charlotte is expected to fall following the announcement.

Sasha Miller, International Managing Editor of BabyCentre comments: 'It's a lovely name but we're expecting to see fewer babies being called Charlotte in the coming months.

'Parents don't want to be labelled as having been influenced by others in their baby name choice, particularly by such a high-profile family. New parents who had been thinking of naming their baby Charlotte, may well now be thinking again.'

According to the Office for National Statistics, Charlotte was the 21st most popular name for girls in England and Wales in 2013. It has fallen in popularity over the last decade and was in 4th place in 2000. 

The princess's middle name Elizabeth is in tribute to the Queen, the girl's great-grandmother. 

The Queen is held in great respect by her family and William has spoken of how she has become an even more important part of his life as he has grown older.

Diana is the name of William's late mother, the Princess of Wales.  

Like most royals, the princess has more than one middle name, both of which are likely to have been inspired by two highly significant women in William's life.

It is customary for royals to look to their past for name ideas, the repetition in each generation an effort to preserve the continuity of one of the world's oldest institutions. With that in mind, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are likely to have chosen Elizabeth in tribute to the reigning Queen.

Her Majesty is held in great respect by her family and William has spoken of how she has become an even more important part of his life as he has grown older, while Kate, for her part, has forged a strong bond with the monarch since becoming a royal.

HOW KENSINGTON PALACE ANNOUNCED THE NEW NAME 

Announcing the name in a statement this afternoon, Kensington Palace said: 'The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to announce that they have named their daughter Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.

'The baby will be known as Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge.' 

Other royals to have the name include the Queen Mother and the Duchess of Cambridge herself, who has it as her middle name. It is also Carole Middleton's middle name. 

Many thought it likely that William and Kate would use the name Diana, as a mark of respect to his mother, who always craved a daughter. The Duke places great importance on honouring her memory, having already used Diana's sapphire and diamond engagement ring when he proposed to Kate.

But the name is likely to have been selected as one of the baby's middle names to avoid comparisons with her late grandmother. 

After the name was announced, historians said the selection was 'nicely-balanced compliment'. 

Historian Dr Judith Rowbotham of the University of Plymouth said: 'None of the Charlottes in the history of the British royal family have been lacking in character and personality, so one hopes that this one lives up to that name. Charlotte is also a compliment to Prince Charles, because it is the feminine of Charles.

'By using both Charlotte and Diana, Prince William is paying tribute to both his parents. And you have got a tribute to his much-loved grandmother Elizabeth, and indeed great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth (The Queen Mother). It is a nicely balanced compliment.'

Royal writer Christopher Warwick said there was an 'inevitability' that Diana would be one of the baby's names. 

The Queen was seen driving on the Sandringham Estate yesterday. She is believed to be meeting with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their new arrival later today

The Queen was seen driving on the Sandringham Estate yesterday. She is believed to be meeting with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their new arrival later today

Kate and William proudly hold their new baby daughter on the steps of the Lindo Wing
William waved proudly to those who had waited to see the new baby while he put an affectionate arm around his wife

Kate wore a lemon and white Jenny Packham dress when the couple appeared together on the steps of the Lindo wing on Saturday

The newest Royal was born at 8.34am on Saturday weighing 8lbs and 3oz - less than three hours after the Duchess was admitted to hospital

The newest Royal was born at 8.34am on Saturday weighing 8lbs and 3oz - less than three hours after the Duchess was admitted to hospital

He said: 'I don't think we would have wanted a Princess Diana, but I am not remotely surprised that Diana is one of the child's names - I would have been surprised had it not been.' 

Royal historian Hugo Vickers said the choice of Charlotte seemed to be based on taste rather than history, as the name has not been used by the royal family for a long time.

WHAT IS IN A NAME? 

By Caroline McGuire

Of three names chosen for the new royal baby, Elizabeth is likely to rouse the least surprise.

While Charlotte – a nod to the princess's paternal grandfather Princes Charles - and Diana is the name of her late paternal grandmother, Elizabeth is a safe and more traditional title.

Naming children after their grandparents or great grandparents is customary in numerous cultures around the world.

In Judaism, there are specific rules that surround the tradition, depending on what part of the world the family is from.

Ashkenazi Jews from Central and Eastern Europe like a new-born to be named after a relative that has recently passed away, whereas Jews from the Middle East can be named after a grandparent who is still alive.

For families from certain parts of India it would actually be considered disrespectful to name a child after a grandparent who was still alive.

Many nationalities follow in the tradition of the Greeks, which suggests the eldest daughter is named after the paternal grandmother and the second daughter is named after the maternal grandfather.

The Scots take this one step further, with a third son being named after the father and a third daughter given their mother's name.

Although William and Kate are very modern parents, with a hands-on approach, they have swerved the recent habit of many parents for modernising a grandparent's name.

For instance, they could have changed Elizabeth to something like Elisabeth, Eliza, Betty, Betsy, Beth, Bessie, Elspeth or Elsie.

But he added that there would have been 'disappointment and surprise' if Elizabeth and Diana had not been included.

He said: 'Queen Elizabeth will become on September 9 the longest reigning British monarch and obviously she is the great matriarch of the family, highly respected by Prince William and no doubt by Catherine too. So I think we would have been very disappointed if that name hadn't been there and I'm sure it was always their intention to include it.

'And we know that Prince William likes to include Diana in many things, for example giving Kate his mother's engagement ring, so it would have been surprising if that had not been there.' 

William's Uncle Earl Spencer, whose daughter is called Charlotte Diana, tweeted his approval of the names chosen by the Cambridges for their daughter.

His said: 'Perfect names. My 2-year old Charlotte Diana will be thrilled at cousinly name-sharing. Is at an age where thinks world revolves around her!'  

The newest royal will be known as Princess Charlotte of Cambridge. The Queen brought in a rule change brought when the Duchess was pregnant with Prince George. Before this, the new princess would have been given the title Lady Charlotte Mountbatten-Windsor 

Meanwhile, the betting industry is estimated to have paid out an astonishing £1million to punters who guessed the name Charlotte, according to Ladbrokes.

Odds had crashed to 3/1 as thousands of bets were put on the name in the past 48 hours. Those who picked Charlotte as the name when it was first confirmed that Kate Middleton was pregnant have been rewarded with a payout at odds of 25/1.

Spokeswoman Jessica Bridge said: 'Charlotte was the hot tip over the weekend and royal watchers up and down the land are quids in.

'We may have lost a fortune but we're paying out with a smile and wish the Duke and Duchess all the best.'

But bookies William Hill said they were breathing a sigh of relief that William and Kate picked Charlotte, and not their favourite Alice.

Spokesman Rupert Adams said Charlotte finished as their 3/1 second favourite, with 5,096 punters correctly guessing the name and in total they would pay out just over £100,000 in the name market.

For weeks, bookmakers had been saying that Alice was the clear favorite. But, the wait over the princess's name led to a betting bonanza. Charlotte and Alice were both competing to be favourite, while outsiders such as Olivia also attracted a sudden flurry of wagers.

A spokesman for Ladbrokes said the betting markets had been in 'total mayhem' with 20,000 individual wagers - some of which were six-figure sums - placed on the bet in the past two days. That equates to more bets than were put on the General Election.

Bookmakers had been 'praying' that the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall opt for a name outside of the top seven - which also included Diana, Alexandra, Victoria and Elizabeth - to stop them having to pay out millions in winnings. 

If the baby had been called Diana as a first name - which had odds of 10/1 - the UK booking industry would have had to have paid out £1 million to winning punters.  

After the name was announced, Tessy Ojo, CEO of The Diana Awards charity, said: 'It is wonderful news that the new Princess carries the name of her Grandmother Diana.

Prince Charles waved as he left Kensington Palace on Sunday after spending an hour-and-a-half getting to know his new granddaughter

Prince Charles waved as he left Kensington Palace on Sunday after spending an hour-and-a-half getting to know his new granddaughter

The Duchess of Cornwall smiled proudly for the cameras as she and Prince Charles left Kensington Palace with Prince Charles on Sunday

The Duchess of Cornwall smiled proudly for the cameras as she and Prince Charles left Kensington Palace with Prince Charles on Sunday

Prince Charles told earlier in the week of his desire for a little granddaughter. He was among the first to visit the little princess in London today 

Prince Charles told earlier in the week of his desire for a little granddaughter. He was among the first to visit the little princess in London

CLEMATIS CHARLOTTE: FLOWER NAMED AFTER THE NEW PRINCESS

The Clematis Charlotte

The Clematis Charlotte

The Princess has already had a flower named after her, hours after the world discovered what she would be called.

The Clematis Charlotte will be sold for £14.99 by Wyevale Garden Centres, which named a similar bloom after Prince George. Some 5,000 of the limited edition pale blue double flowering clematis – one of which is pictured at a Wyevale centre in Cheltenham – will go on sale this week.

David Mitchell, of Wyevale, said: ‘The Clematis George was our fastest selling clematis of the year ... We are proud to have sourced a one-of-a-kind double flowering clematis to honour Princess Charlotte.’

In another unusual tribute, the Australian government has made a £5,180 donation in honour of the Princess to support an endangered breed of possum. 

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he hoped Charlotte will one day come to the country and visit the mountain pygmy possum, which was thought to be extinct until 1966.

A more traditional baby present – a cot blanket – has also been sent as a gift from Australia.

It is made from Tasmanian merino wool and features Australia’s floral emblem, the yellow wattle flower.

'The Diana Award is the only charity set up in the late Princess' memory. We know that thousands of young people, from across the world, follow in her footsteps and carry this award set up in her memory with pride.

'Both Princess Diana's sons have said how special this award is which encapsulates the late Princess' innate qualities of human compassion and drive to improve the lives of others. It is lovely to know that her legacy lives on through Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.'  

When the baby's older brother, Prince George, was born in 2013, the royal couple took two days to reveal his name, waiting until after Queen Elizabeth II had met her new great-grandson. 

Meanwhile, back at Kensington Palace, Kate's mother Carole and her sister Pippa were first to have a cuddle with the little princess. They drove through the gates of Kensington Palace at 11.31am on Sunday and did not leave until after 6pm.

Charles drove himself down from Highgrove, his private residence in Gloucestershire, with his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, to meet the granddaughter he had so desperately wanted. 

The couple arrived, smiling and waving, at William and Kate's residence, Apartment 1A, at 12.46pm and stayed for an hour and a half. 

Charles has openly spoken of his hope that his son and daughter-in-law would produce a granddaughter, saying last year: 'I hope it will be a girl this time.' 

Kate's father arrived at 1.38pm and stayed for three hours. There was no sign of the duchess's brother, James.

There was also a visit from Kate's midwife, Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent, who was keen to check on mother and baby.

And in a touching display of affection, Prince Harry has said he 'can't wait' to meet his newborn baby niece.

Continuing his month-long secondment in Australia, the 30-year-old said his brother's second child is 'absolutely beautiful'.

He was informed of the baby's safe delivery before a public announcement was made in the UK and abroad on the Kensington Palace Twitter account.

The Princess was born at 8.34am London time, which was 5.34pm in Perth where her uncle was eagerly awaiting the news.

Although the Prince had hoped to be in England to greet his newest family member, duty called and he returned to Australia on Monday to resume his four-week placement with the Australian Defence Force. 

William and Kate remained behind closed doors yesterday but were keen to pass on their thanks for the thousands of messages of goodwill they have received.  

A Kensington Palace spokesman said in a statement: 'The duke and duchess are hugely grateful for the messages of congratulations they have received from people all over the world. It means a great deal to them that so many people have celebrated the arrival of their new daughter.

'Their royal highnesses were today visited by the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, Mr and Mrs Middleton, and Pippa Middleton.'  

Kate's mother Carole and sister Pippa were the first of the royal couple's relatives to visit the newborn baby who was brought home to Kensington Palace just ten hours after being born. They spent several hours at the palace on Sunday 

Kate's mother Carole and sister Pippa were the first of the royal couple's relatives to visit the newborn baby who was brought home to Kensington Palace just ten hours after being born

Carole and Pippa Middleton arrived at Kensington Palace at around 11.30am to meet the baby princess for the first time this morning 

Carole and Pippa Middleton arrived at Kensington Palace at around 11.30am to meet the baby princess for the first time on Sunday morning

Kate's father Michael Middleton arrived at Kensington Palace shortly before 2pm on Sunday to meet his granddaughter for the first time

Kate's father Michael Middleton arrived at Kensington Palace shortly before 2pm on Sunday to meet his granddaughter for the first time

REACTION TO THE NAME CHARLOTTE ELIZABETH DIANA  

Kate and William took two days to announce the name of the daughter and for most, it was worth the wait. 

Just minutes after the couple announced that they had called their second child Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, thousands took to social media to announce their approval.

Most users were full of praise for the combinations of names.

One woman called Chloe Mcgeoch write on Twitter: 'Charlotte Elizabeth Diana is such a cute name,' while another called Maric Acira said: 'Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, good choice!'

Unsurprisingly, many were over the moon about the inclusion of Diana - a nod to William's late mother. 

Laura Wattenberg, author of the book The Baby Name Wizard believes that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had a tricky job on their hands when it came to naming their daughter. 

She told MailOnline: 'Naming a prince or princess is part baby naming, part branding exercise. 

'The name has to represent the British throne, which today means conjuring up proud traditions without sounding haughty. 

'Charlotte Elizabeth Diana does that, with an extra twist: it honours the delicate balance of William's family, yet avoids saddling his daughter with an image that's too hard to live up to. 

'As a total package, they couldn't have done better.'

While most were happy with the choice, some royals fans were still disappointed with the fact that the couple hadn't gone with the name Alice. 

Vicki Rice  said: 'The royal baby name Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. I was so hoping for Alice. So sad.' 

Sophie Houghton ‏seconded: 'I would've like Alice, but you never know, they could have another daughter and call her Alice.' 

Celebrities including Geordie Shore's Charlotte Crosby voiced their delight at the name. 

The reality star said: 'Well well well PRINCESS CHARLOTTE. What a bloody great name! Good choice Kate and wills BIG UP YASELF.'

Meanwhile, Ed Miliband also took time out of his busy schedule to tweet: 'Wishing Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana a long & happy life. I hope the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge are enjoying her first, special days.'

William and Kate have made clear that the hospital photo opportunity will be their daughter's last appearance for some time.

The couple are fiercely protective of their children's privacy and it is likely – apart from the possibility of a family portrait being released in the coming weeks – to be the last time the princess will be seen in public until her christening in three or four months. Even then, that is unlikely to be a public event, with only a handful of photographs released to the media.

One of the reasons that William and Kate have chosen to bring up their children at Anmer Hall in Norfolk is that its extensive private grounds mean visitors can escape the public eye. The ten-bedroom property is on the Queen's Sandringham estate. 

This afternoon, as the world waited for the announcement of the princess's name, royal gun salutes were fired out this afternoon across London in honour of the new princess. 

Soldiers on horseback rode out in procession through the capital, before dozens of deafening volleys were fired simultaneously from Hyde Park and the Tower of London.

As Big Ben to chime at 2pm, 41 volleys rang out across the park fired by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery. At the Tower there was a 62-gun salute fired by the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC), with an extra 21 volleys for the City of London.

Just before the King's Troop began the Royal Artillery Band played the Stevie Wonder hit Isn't She Lovely, a song he wrote to celebrates the birth of his daughter, Aisha. 

This afternoon, as the world waited for the announcement of the princess's name, the little girl's birth was marked by royal gun salutes which were fired simultaneously at Hyde Park and the Tower of London. The band played Stevie Wonder's 'Isn't She Lovely'

This afternoon, as the world waited for the announcement of the princess's name, the little girl's birth was marked by royal gun salutes which were fired simultaneously at Hyde Park and the Tower of London. The band played Stevie Wonder's 'Isn't She Lovely'

As Big Ben to chime at 2pm, 41 volleys rang out across the park, which were fired by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery to mark the birth

As Big Ben to chime at 2pm, 41 volleys rang out across the park, which were fired by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery to mark the birth

RHYMING REBUKE TO SILENT POET: BROADCASTER CRITICISES LACK OF VERSE FOR YOUNG PRINCESS CHARLOTTE

Broadcaster and columnist Rod Liddle has written a scathing poem directed at poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy, who has refused to acknowledge the birth of Princess Charlotte with a verse.

Liddle criticised Miss Duffy for failing to write about royal events – a crucial part of the laureate’s role.

Since her appointment by the Queen in 2009, Miss Duffy, 59, has written two such poems – one for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding in 2011 and the other for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

Liddle, 55, assumes Miss Duffy’s voice in the tongue-in-cheek eight-line verse. It reads: ‘I can’t abide the Royals/ They bring me out in hives/ And I would hate to celebrate/ Their parasitic lives./ You see – I am a leftie/ It’s those CUTS that make me sob/ So you might cry – “I wonder why/ She took the bloody job?”.

On her appointment, Duffy was given a traditional ‘butt of sack’ – 600 bottles of sherry – and earns £5,750 a year, which she passes to the Poetry Society.

÷Have you an idea for a poem to celebrate Princess Charlotte’s birth? Email your verses to poems@dailymail.co.uk.

The bells of Westminster Abbey also rang out at exactly 2pm to mark the royal birth.    

The royal birth had already been greeted with an explosion of pink, as Tower Bridge and other London landmarks were bathed in magenta light. William and Kate have not yet announced the baby's name.  

Kate was admitted to the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital at 6am on Saturday morning, giving birth two-and-a-half hours later. When news of the baby's birth was announced, chants of 'Princess! Princess!' could be heard outside the Lindo Wing.  

At around 12.30 a framed certificate signed by Kate's medical team was placed on an easel outside Buckingham Palace with the same words.  

At around 4pm William left the hospital to collect Prince George and returned minutes later.

After being lifted out of the car and put on the ground to walk, George stretched out his arms to be lifted back up by his father before offering a timid wave to the gathered media and fans.

Cheers erupted for the young prince, who has not made a public appearance in the UK since his own birth in 2013, as he made his way towards the Lindo Wing in his father's arms. 

The Duke and Duchess are returning to Anmer Hall in Norfolk, where they will set up residence with their new daughter and Prince George

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have now returned to Anmer Hall in Norfolk, where they will set up residence with their new daughter

After walking a few steps holding his father's hand, the one-year-old stretched out his arms to be picked back up by his father before being encouraged to wave to the gathered crowds.

Beaming with pride, William was seen mouthing 'good boy' in his son's ear before giving him a tender kiss on the head.

The pair then disappeared behind the hospital doors to reunite with Kate and the new princess in a scene reminiscent of Prince Harry's birth in 1984 when William toddled up the Lindo Wing steps holding the hand of his father Prince Charles.  

When the Duke and Duchess presented their daughter for the first time on Saturday evening, cheers erupted outside the Lindo Wing. 

Kate wore a Jenny Packham buttercup-print shift dress that the designer, one of the Duchess's favourites, says was made especially for her, teamed with a pair of nude Jimmy Choos, as she had done when George was born. 

The young royal offers a shy wave to the waiting photographers
Prince William shows his son how to wave to the press, which are desperately waiting to see the new baby princess

Prince William showed his son how to wave to the press in his first public appearance in the UK since his birth in July 2013

The 21-month-old clung to his father as he was carried inside the hospital yesterday to meet his newborn sister, born at 8.34am on Saturday 

The 21-month-old clung to his father as he was carried inside the hospital on Saturday to meet his newborn sister, born at 8.34am on Saturday

WHAT THE HISTORIANS SAID ABOUT THE CHOICE OF NAME 

Historian Dr Judith Rowbotham of the University of Plymouth said: 'Charlotte is also a compliment to Prince Charles, because it is the feminine of Charles.

'By using both Charlotte and Diana, Prince William is paying tribute to both his parents.

'And you have got a tribute to his much-loved grandmother Elizabeth, and indeed great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth (The Queen Mother). It is a nicely balanced compliment.'

Royal writer Christopher Warwick said there was an 'inevitability' that Diana would be one of the baby's names.

He said: 'Somebody said that given a girl Diana as a first name would have been too much of a responsibility and I would agree with that.

'I don't think we would have wanted a Princess Diana, but I am not remotely surprised that Diana is one of the child's names - I would have been surprised had it not been.' 

Royal historian Hugo Vickers added that there would have been 'disappointment and surprise' if Elizabeth and Diana had not been included.

He said: 'Queen Elizabeth will become on September 9 the longest reigning British monarch and obviously she is the great matriarch of the family, highly respected by Prince William and no doubt by Catherine too.

'So I think we would have been very disappointed if that name hadn't been there and I'm sure it was always their intention to include it.' 

After they had returned home a statement on the Kensington Palace Twitter account posted a message from the proud new parents.

'Their Royal Highnesses would like to thank all staff at the hospital for the care and treatment they have all received,' it said.

'They would also like to thank everyone for their warm wishes.'  

The baby girl, who arrived around one week late, is three pounds lighter than her big brother was when he was born.

William and Kate's new daughter, a younger sister for Prince George, who was born at the same hospital in July 2013, is fourth in line to the throne.

Although she is unlikely to ever become queen, it is not unheard of for a second child in the direct line of succession to accede to the throne.

Mostly recently the Queen's own father, King George VI, replaced his elder brother, King Edward VIII, who abdicated over his love for the 'unsuitable' American divorcee Wallis Simpson.

Thanks to a recent change in the law, the couple's daughter cannot be superseded in her claim to the throne by any younger brother who may yet come along.

The Succession to the Crown Act, passed in 2013, means that male heirs no longer precede their elder sisters in the line of succession

A 2012 intervention by the Queen also means that the new baby will automatically become an HRH – Her Royal Highness – and be permitted to take the title of princess.

As the second child of the second heir to the throne she would, until then, only have been a Lady.

Her arrival will shunt her uncle, Prince Harry, down to fifth in the order of succession. Her great uncle, Prince Andrew, will fall out of the top five for the first time to sixth.

Many royal watchers had been desperately hoping for a girl – the last to be born in the direct line of succession was Princess Anne back in 1950. 

Meanwhile, retailers are already cashing in on the princess's birth, which experts believe will bring some immediate £80m into the economy, as people splash out on celebratory food and drink. 

They also predict that the baby could be worth £1billion by the time she is seven, based on her bringing in a staggering £150m per year into the British economy. 

Her older brother Prince George, who has already been declared 'the Prince of Sales', brought £247m into the country after his birth.  

But experts predict the little girl will have a greater impact on the economy, because of the influence she is likely to have on the fashion world.

The same has been seen with the likes of Harper Beckham and Beyonce's daughter Blue Ivy Carter, whose outfits are carefully analysed around the globe.

Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the Centre for Retail Research, believes that the baby girl could bring up to £150m into the economy and would be able to set trends throughout her life. 

First off the mark to cash in from the birth is the Royal Collection Trust which has unveiled its new range of royal baby memorabilia.  

Products available include a £19.95 coffee mug, a £39 tankard and a £14.95 cradle Christmas decoration made from white velvet and embroidered with pearl beads.

There are also decorations in the shape of a lion rampant and a toy rocking horse also on offer. 

Meanwhile, the Royal Mint is marking the birth with a £5 coin designed by John Bergdahl, who was also behind the Prince George Christening coin, and many hotels are serving baby-themed afternoon teas.

For £45, the Palm Court in London offers pannacotta 'milk in a bottle', apricot cakes shaped like ABC learning blocks and a polenta pram.

As with her older brother, everything from the new princess's outfits to her baby blanket are expected to sell out. 

AT LAST! THE DAUGHTER DIANA SO LONGED FOR: HOW KATE HAS FINALLY FULFILLED WILLIAM'S MOTHER DREAMS OF HAVING A LITTLE PRINCESS

By Richard Kay and Geoffrey Levy for The Daily Mail

For some of those watching, the symbolism must have evoked nostalgic tears; for others sheer pleasure that, one generation on, it had happened at last.

As the Duchess of Cambridge showed her new daughter to the world, with her right arm curled securely underneath, there was Princess Diana's engagement ring, winking happily on Kate's left hand.

How Diana would have loved to have been in this position herself, giving Charles the daughter he desperately wanted. Alas, it was not to be. 

Poignant symbol: Diana cradling Prince Harry in October 1984 and Kate, wearing the late Princess’s ring, with her newborn daughter

Poignant symbol: Diana cradling Prince Harry in October 1984 and Kate, wearing the late Princess's ring, with her newborn daughter

When, early in the pregnancy with their second child, she had an amniocentesis test, which checks for abnormalities in the foetus, she discovered the sex of the baby. She decided not to tell Charles — instead, she kept secret from him the fact that she was carrying another boy.

Only another mother can realise just what must have been going through her mind throughout her pregnancy — knowing that, ultimately, she was going to disappoint her husband.

'Oh, it's a boy,' was Charles's curt observation, when Harry emerged after nine hours of labour in the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, in September 1984. 'And he's even got rusty hair.'

This was the hair colour of most of the Spencers, including Diana's sister, Sarah. 

After which, unlike his much more involved son William, who drove his wife and daughter home to their apartment in Kensington Palace, the Prince of Wales went off to play polo.

At that moment, as Diana told friends: 'Something inside me died.'

What never died was her own yearning, after two boisterous sons, to have a daughter. She even clung to the notion that if she were able to give Charles a daughter it might yet save their marriage.

The Prince of Wales (pictured with a newborn Prince Harry and Prince William) went off to play polo following the birth of Prince Harry

The Prince of Wales (pictured with a newborn Prince Harry and Prince William) went off to play polo following the birth of Prince Harry

The Prince had two reasons for wanting a girl. One was that it would enable him to honour his grandmother, the Queen Mother, to whom he was very close, with her name Elizabeth. The second was that two-year-old William was at that time a bit of a handful and he felt having a baby girl around would have a 'civilising influence' on the Kensington Palace nursery.

Meanwhile, he has always felt he benefited from having a younger sister, Anne, and considered it to be typically clever of her to have a boy, Peter, and then Zara.

This, presumably, is why he made no secret, when Kate became pregnant with a second child, of the fact that he was hoping for a granddaughter.

In many ways, of course, Kate is the daughter that Diana longed for: sensible, a girl who clearly wants to be seen as a homemaker, and yet, like Diana, has a stylish way with clothes that millions go out of their way to copy. (Not that Diana shopped much for clothes on the High Street as Kate does.)

But she would have adored getting involved with the new baby girl as an indulgent grandmother.

Just how warmly Carole Middleton — who, at 60, would be six years Diana's senior — might have shared the role with William's more glamorous mother is another matter.

But there was another, highly unusual reason behind Diana's unfulfilled desire for a daughter that emerged years later, when the royal marriage was over. It was specifically linked to her love for heart surgeon Hasnat Khan, with whom she enjoyed a two-year relationship and, at one stage, wanted to marry.

Just like his parents, Prince William fathered a son but has managed what Charles and Diana never could by having a daughter 

She daydreamed that, because of the global fame that had been thrust upon her, having a 'brown baby daughter' — as she put it — with Khan, a Pakistani Muslim, could have far-reaching implications for a better and more peaceful world. She believed it would help dispel differences and unite the Muslim and Christian worlds.

In her dreams of having a baby daughter with him, she had even decided on a name: Allegra.

There was no family history in this choice. Allegra was simply the name of the daughter of Lady Sophia Pilkington, a cousin of the Princess's close confidante, Lady Annabel Goldsmith.

Allegra was just five then. Diana liked the name because, from the Latin, it means cheerful, lively and full of energy. 

At the time she had paid several visits to Pakistan and visited Khan's family in Lahore. His grandmother, on a visit to London, had been to tea at Kensington Palace.

For Diana, bringing the two very different cultures closer together would disprove Khan's view — the one that she ultimately, and with great reluctance, finally had to accept — that marriage between them would be a mistake and could never work.

But, the fact is, Diana very much wanted a daughter — in addition to William and Harry — for its own sake. She was, after all, one of three lively daughters herself — the youngest girl in the broken family of the 8th Earl Spencer. These were the sisters who nicknamed her 'Duch' — short for Duchess — and in whom she confided her doubts on the eve of her 1981 marriage to Charles, and who told her it was 'too late — your face is already on the tea-towels'.

The prospect of having at least one daughter in a family was one issue on which she and Charles actually agreed — they both believed it would enhance family life.

In her own case, as she turned from a gauche teenager engaged to the Prince of Wales at 19 into a putative future Queen whose every item of clothing, from top to bottom, was scrutinised, analysed, priced and copied, she yearned to be able to share ideas with a little girl of her own, just as, over the years, Kate will be able to do.

'She longed to have a daughter that she could take out on expeditions to Peter Jones and Harvey Nichols, especially buying clothes for her,' recalls one of her friends.

'The boys were great — but mother and daughter out shopping together have a different kind of bond. She missed having that.'

She had always enjoyed going shopping with her mother, Frances Shand Kydd. It was especially meaningful after her parents' marriage broke up with an acrimonious court action over custody of the children which Earl Spencer won.

She and Frances were still meeting up for those trips in the early years of her marriage to Charles.

More than anyone, William will be feeling his mother's absence now that he has a daughter of his own.

At the same time, whenever he catches sight of his mother's sapphire and diamond ring on Kate's left hand, he'll know that he and Kate have done just what she would have wanted.


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