Princess Charlotte waves to the crowds outside the Lindo Wing

Princess Charlotte waves to the crowds outside the Lindo Wing



She's only two-years-old but Princess Charlotte has already mastered a key element of her regal role - the royal wave.



The toddler couldn't hide her excitement at meeting her baby brother today, as she waved happily to crowds outside the Lindo Wing on her way to meet the new arrival.



She and her brother George held hands with Prince William as they made their way into the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington where Kate, 36, gave birth to a boy weighing 8lbs 7oz at 11am this morning. 



Charlotte - who attends Willcocks Nursery School in Kensington - looked adorable in a blue floral smock dress, teamed with a dropped navy cardigan while George was smart in his Thomas's Battersea school uniform.



The little Prince who is known for having a shyer nature than outgoing Charlotte kept his head down, but was smiling as he made his way inside.



His confident sister, however, started waving as soon as she stepped out of the family car and even turned back on the hospital steps to offer a final greeting to the crowds.



Despite her tender years, the youngster who turns three next months has had plenty of opportunity to practice her royal wave after taking part in overseas tours with the Duke and Duchess.



She visited Canada with her parents when she was just 16 months old and charmed the watching world as she cheerfully waved to the crowds.



By the time she visited Poland and Germany last July, the youngster was already a pro at royal engagements as she greeted wellwishers, accepted bouquets and even performed her first curtsy.



Earlier Prince William appeared outside the hospital in London this afternoon to drive to pick up Prince George and Princess Charlotte to meet their new younger brother, telling reporters: 'I'll be back in a minute.'

Bookmakers have reported a surge in bets on the name Arthur for the royal baby, who is fifth in line to the throne. The boy is also the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh's sixth great-grandchild.



Kensington Palace announced that the baby was born at 11am, after Kate was taken by car before 6am to the private Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in Paddington.





William was present for the birth, and both Kate and the child were 'doing well', according to a palace spokesman. Senior members of the royal family were said to be 'delighted with the news'.



The baby is fifth in line to the throne and does not change Princess Charlotte's position.



Thanks to the Succession to the Crown Act of 2013, the two-year-old will be the first female royal to retain her position in the succession of the throne, regardless of her new sibling's being a boy.



Prior to the act a younger brother would overtake a female sibling in the line of succession.



The act says: 'Succession to the Crown not to depend on gender: In determining the succession to the Crown, the gender of a person born after 28 October 2011 does not give that person, or that person’s descendants, precedence over any other person (whenever born).'