Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife are celebrating the birth of their baby girl, born while the couple were on holiday in Cornwall.
A beaming Mr Cameron has been speaking to the media about his delight that both daughter and mother are doing well after their baby was born at the Royal Truro Hospital in South West England.
Speaking to the BBC, Mr Cameron said: “We are absolutely thrilled. She is an unbelievably beautiful girl.
“I am a very proud dad. Both baby and mum seem to be doing very well.
“The other two children are bouncing up and down and dying to say hello to the new baby.
“It was very exciting, we were on holiday, thought we were going to get through the holiday and then have a baby, and then it just seemed to kick off a bit quickly.
“It all happened very, very quickly. It is absolutely thrilling, really exciting and it’s just lovely they are both doing so well.”
Mr Cameron thanked hospital staff and said his job had been consigned to making toast and tea.
Samantha Cameron gave birth at lunchtime on Tuesday August 24 while the family were on holiday in Cornwall.
Mr Cameron said it was a complete surprise with Mrs Cameron going into labour while they were on holiday but the birth had been over relatively quickly and smoothly.
The Prime Minister is now considering a Cornish name to celebrate the birthplace of his as yet unnamed daughter.
Mr Cameron’s office confirmed the baby was born at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro. His office said the baby weighed 6 lbs 1 oz (2.7 kg).
“The prime minister and Mrs Cameron would like to thank the doctors and nurses at the hospital for their help and kindness,” the 10 Downing Street official statement read.
Politicians on both sides of the House of Commons have been quick to send their best wishes to Mr Cameron and his family
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has said: “I’m really thrilled. It’s just brilliant news and Miriam and I are so happy for David and Samantha, as I’m sure everybody is, and I think they’re just really relieved it went so well, the baby seems incredibly healthy and I hope they get the time now to enjoy the new arrival to the family in peace.”
David Miliband, the Shadow Foreign Secretary and Labour leadership contender, was one of the first to offer a goodwill message, saying: “I would like to offer many congratulations to Samantha and David Cameron on the birth of their baby girl.”
It is only the second baby to be born to a serving Prime Minister in more than 150 years.
The last time was Tony and Cherie Blair. Their son Leo was born in May 2000.
