London--Gun salutes rang out in London on Monday to celebrate the birth of Prince William and his wife Kate's daughter as royal watchers worldwide waited to discover the name of the two-day-old princess.
Forty-one shots were fired from World War I-era field guns in Hyde Park after a military band played Stevie Wonder's hit "Isn't She Lovely", a song he wrote to celebrate the birth of his daughter, Aisha.
The field guns were dragged by horses in a military procession that went past Buckingham Palace.
Artillery units at the Tower of London also fired a ceremonial 62-gun salute at the same time, with the boom reverberating across the River Thames.
The standard royal salute is 21 rounds -- a tradition dating back to cannon fire from ships -- and an extra 20 are fired from a royal park or residence.
At the Tower of London, a further 21 rounds were added on to show the city's loyalty to the sovereign.
At London's Westminster Abbey, where William and Kate tied the knot in April 2011, a "Cambridge Surprise Royal" peal of bells was played to mark the birth.
Speculation over what name might be given to the tiny princess, who is fourth in line to the throne after her nearly two-year-old big brother Prince George, has heated up in recent days.
Alice and Charlotte are vying to be the bookmakers' favourite for the baby dubbed "Royal Cutie" by the tabloids, followed by Elizabeth, Victoria, Olivia and Alexandra.
But some commentators have urged the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to name the princess after William's mother Diana, who died in a 1997 car crash in Paris aged 36, prompting a global outpouring of grief.
Diana gave birth to William in the same hospital where Kate delivered and when the duchess emerged on Saturday she wore, as usual, Diana's sapphire and diamond engagement ring, given to her by William.
Some British media have floated the idea that Diana could be used as a middle name so as not to place an undue burden on the young princess.
George's name was announced two days after he was born, while the country waited a week for William's name and a month for his father Prince Charles.
Jessica Bridge of bookmakers Ladbrokes said that the betting markets were in "total mayhem" over names.
"Bookies all over the UK are hoping and praying for any name other than Alice, Charlotte, Victoria, Elizabeth, Olivia, Alexandra or Diana," she said.
AFP
