Royal baby: gun salutes to mark birth of princess

Elite British troops on Monday gave a gun salute to Prince William and Kate Middleton's new baby Princess Charlotte by firing volleys to mark her birth.

The gun salute involves soldiers from The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery riding out in a procession from near Buckingham Palace to sound 41 shots in Hyde Park.

At the same time, the Honourable Artillery Company leaves their Armoury House barracks in the City of London to fire a 62-gun salute at the Tower of London from three Ceremonial 105mm light guns. The last gun salute was given to Prince George when he was born in July 2013.

Among the first visitors to see the new princess at Kensington Palace on Sunday were her grandfather Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Kate's parents - the Middletons. "The Duke and Duchess are hugely grateful for the messages of congratulations they have received from people all over the world.

"It means a great deal to them that so many people have celebrated the arrival of their new daughter," a Kensington Palace spokesperson said.

Prince Harry, who narrowly missed the princess' birth after returning to Australia to finish his secondment to the country's military, said his new niece was "absolutely beautiful" and he cannot wait to meet her. Queen Elizabeth II is to meet her newest great granddaughter and fourth in line to the throne by the end of this week.