Cardinal congratulates royal family on birth of baby girl

Cardinal Vincent Nichols has sent a letter of congratulations to the royal family after the Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to a girl on Saturday morning.

The princess is fourth in line to the throne, behind Prince Charles, Prince William and her brother, Prince George, who was born in July 2013.

Archbishop Nichols sent a letter to Kensington Palace over the weekend, congratulating the royal family. He wrote: “Your Royal Highnesses, On behalf of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, I would like to congratulate Your Royal Highnesses on the birth of your daughter, Her Royal Highness, the Princess of Cambridge. 



“The birth of the new princess will be a source of joy not only for the royal family but for the peoples of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and beyond.

“I assure Your Royal Highnesses of the prayers and best wishes of the Catholic Church in England and Wales for your new family member.

“May Our Lord Jesus Christ bless and protect you all, and may the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Joseph intercede for your family.”

The baby is yet to be named. The names Charlotte, Alice and Victoria are among the bookies’ favourites.