LONDON — A princess is born.

Prince William’s wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, “was safely delivered of a daughter” Saturday morning, less than three hours after checking into central London’s St. Mary’s Hospital, royal officials said.

Kensington Palace said the baby was born at 8:34 a.m. London time and weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces.

The announcement was greeted by cheers outside the hospital, where fans dressed in patriotic Union Jack gear have been camping out on the sidewalk, eagerly awaiting news. Delighted chants of “Princess! Princess!” sounded outside the hospital’s private Lindo Wing.

A town crier in costume shouted out the news at the hospital’s door, clanging his bell to welcome the new royal. “May our princess be long-lived, happy and glorious,” said Tony Appleton, reading from a scroll in a booming voice.

The palace said Kate, 33, and her infant were doing well. Prince William was present for the birth.

The princess is fourth in line to the throne and the fifth great-grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II. The statement said senior royals have been informed and “are delighted with the news.”

Kate, who wed William in April 2011, gave birth to Prince George at the same hospital in July 2013.

The name of the newborn wasn’t expected to be announced immediately. When George was born, officials waited two days before announcing his name.

Anticipation has been building for weeks. Kate had told a well-wisher earlier this year that the child was due in the second two weeks of April, kicking off what the tabloid press called the Great Kate Wait. The world’s media had set up their positions outside the hospital for days, but were still caught slightly off guard by the speed with which officials announced the birth.

“I’m top of the world,” said royal camper Terry Hutt, 80. He said he did not expect the birth to happen as soon as it did, but said: “Babies come when they’re ready.

“If Diana was here, she’d be very, very proud,” he added, referring to the late Princess Diana, William’s mother.

Betting had for weeks ran heavily in favor of the child being a girl, despite any apparent evidence to back that up.

All the top bets for the baby’s name are for girls. Alice and Charlotte are the clear favorites, followed by Elizabeth, Victoria and Diana — all names with strong connections to royal tradition.

Prince Charles has signaled — twice — that he was hoping for a granddaughter, which led some to speculate that Charles had inside information.