Princess is named in honour of her Grandfather, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother: Kate and William announce the very evocative names of their new 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
- Royal source said 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
The name of the Princess of Cambridge has finally been revealed to the world as Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.
In a touching tribute to William's beloved family, the little girl has been named in honour of her grandfather, her grandmother and her great-grandmother.
Announcing the name in a statement this afternoon after days of speculation, 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.'
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, while Elizabeth and Diana are in tribute to William's grandmother (centre) and his late mother (right)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge decided on a name for their daughter shortly after the birth but want to inform the Queen personally before it was publicly released
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 grandmother and his late mother respectively.
Royal aides told Mail Online 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.
William has previously spoken of his deep respect for his father and the amount of time the prince commits to his charitable work. 'I just really hold him in great admiration,' the Duke has said.
The Prince of Wales strove to protect William and Prince Harry following the death of their mother Diana Princess of Wales 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.
William is protective of his father, defending him against criticism he has often faced. Naming his daughter after the prince will be seen as a clear public demonstration of his love of Charles.
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.
George III's wife was Queen Charlotte, who was born 1744. She used it instead of her given first name, Sophie. The royal was married to George III and founded Kew Gardens.
Like most royals, the princess has more than one middle name, both of which are likely to have inspired by two women in William's life whom he greatly admires.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are likely to have chosen Elizabeth in tribute to the baby's great-grandmother the Queen. It is also Kate's middle name.
Many thought it likely that William and Kate would use the name Diana, though it has probably been used as one of the baby's middle names to avoid comparisons with her late grandmother.
The Duke places great importance on honouring her memory, having already used Diana's sapphire and diamond engagement ring when he proposed to Kate.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge reportedly decided on a name for their daughter shortly after the birth but wanted to inform the Queen personally before it was publicly released.
There is no protocol which says the monarch needs to be consulted about the name of a newborn in the family, and senior royal sources stressed she had no expectation of being informed in person before the princess's name is made public.
However, William, who has grown especially close to his grandmother in recent years, apparently decided to afford her the honour when they met in Sandringham.
Today, the newborn was reportedly set to meet her great-grandmother, the Queen, when the family left Kensington Palace to embark on a new life in Norfolk, where the monarch is in residence. It is not known whether that meeting took place.
They had introduced the little girl – the most senior royal princess to be born for 65 years – to her brother George and to their families yesterday.
The newborn may herald a new generation in the monarchy, but it is customary for royals to look to their past for name ideas. The repetition of names in each generation is at least partly an effort to preserve the continuity of one of the world's oldest institutions.
The betting industry is estimated to have paid out one million pounds 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 Kate Middleton announced her pregnancy 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 in recent days Charlotte has also swayed at the number one spot.
The wait over her name has led to a betting bonanza in the past 48 hours, and Charlotte and Alice had been picked at the clear favourites. But 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.
The Queen was seen driving on the Sandringham Estate today. She is believed to have met with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
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
Kate, who wore a Jenny Packham dress made especially for her, held her little girl who was swathed in a soft wool shawl made by the small, family-run Nottingham company GH Hurt & Son
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.
Alice remained the most popular for several days. It was the name that Queen Victoria gave to her second daughter, who was the great-grandmother of the queen's husband, Philip. Her granddaughter, also called Alice, was Philip's mother. But Charlotte had crept up the scale in the past 24 hours.
Jessica Bridge from Ladbrokes said yesterday: 'Bookies all over the UK are hoping and praying for any name other than Alice, Charlotte, Victoria, Elizabeth, Olivia, Alexandra or Diana.'
A spokesman for Coral had said: 'The gamble on Charlotte is showing no signs of slowing down and although Alice will be the worst result for us, Charlotte will also prove very costly following the amount of bets we've taken on it.
'We've already paid out a substantial six-figure sum on the royal baby being a girl, so we have our fingers crossed that Will and Kate opt for a name outside the top three in the betting.'
After the name was announced, Tessy Ojo, CEO of The Diana Awards charity, said: ‘It is wonderful news announced today that the new Princess carries the name of her Grandmother Diana.
'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.
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 yesterday 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.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry has said he 'can't wait' to meet his newborn baby niece.
Prince Charles waved as he left Kensington Palace yesterday 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 yesterday afternoon
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 yesterday
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.'
William and Kate have made clear that the hospital photo opportunity will be their daughter's last appearance for some time.
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 yesterday morning
Kate's father Michael Middleton arrived at Kensington Palace yesterday shortly before 2pm to meet his granddaughter for the first 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'
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
The bells of Westminster Abbey also rang out at exactly 2pm to mark the royal birth.
The royal birth was 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.
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