LONDON — Hundreds of people gathered outside Buckingham Palace Saturday afternoon celebrating the birth of the second child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Cameras at the ready, smartphones high up in the air on selfie sticks, tourists and locals watched through the gates of the palace as the framed notice of the birth of a royal daughter was put on display.
Lisa James, from Bristol, came with her family to view the announcement as it coincided with their visit to London. She was elated.
"What an experience for my children to see it," she said. "It's just wonderful for them."
Throughout the early afternoon, a long line formed as people wanted to get a close-up look of the birth notice through the barriers surrounding Buckingham Palace. Police officers and security officers controlled the crowds. As she left the viewing pen, Nicole Kahn, a self-described "big William and Kate fan" from London said she was excited for the royal couple.
"I'm just really happy that they're having a boy and a girl," she said. "And Diana, if she was here, would be really happy."
Doris Grimsley from East London said, "That's excellent! Prince Charles wanted a granddaughter." Tourists from around the world said they were lucky that their visit to London coincided with the birth, including Karen Korach from Los Angeles.
"I'm happy for them. A healthy baby is great for the parents, great for everyone," she said, but added that "a second baby always changes the dynamics of the family."
"She has experience," her husband Elliot said. Outside the St. Mary's Hospital, royal fans also celebrated. One man danced on the sidewalk singing, "It's a girl, it's a girl."
Kate delivered a daughter at 8:34 a.m. local time, only a couple of hours after it was announced she had gone into hospital.
"It's exciting," Teba Diatta, another fan of the royals said. "A bit surprised it happened so quickly because last time it was a long wait so it all came out a lot quicker than expected."
