Edward 'thrilled' at birth of daughter

The Earl of Wessex flew half way round the world tonight to be reunited with his wife after the birth of their first child.

Sophie, 38, was recovering in hospital after undergoing an emergency Caesarean section to deliver her premature daughter.

The Countess and the baby girl, who is the Queen’s seventh grandchild and eighth in line to the throne, were both said to “stable”.

Edward broke off from an official trip to Mauritius to join his wife and child.

Having spent an hour with his wife at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey, Edward said he was “thrilled to bits” at the news.

He said: “First of all I am rather shocked and delighted at the news, obviously very sorry that I was not able to be part of it.

“I have seen Sophie, she is doing well – she has also had a bit of a fraught time of it.”