David Cameron 'thrilled' at birth of baby girl
David Cameron said today the birth of his fourth child, a baby girl born early and delivered by Caesarean section, was "absolutely thrilling, really exciting".
By James Kirkup, Political Correspondent
Published: 3:47PM BST 24 Aug 2010
The Prime Minister's wife Samantha went into labour this morning and gave birth at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro at about midday.
The baby, weighing 6lb 1oz, had been due next month but took the Camerons by surprise while they were holidaying in Cornwall.
A beaming Mr Cameron told reporters the "unbelievably beautiful girl" did not have a name yet, but said it would "have to have something Cornish in the middle".
"It was very exciting, we were on holiday, thought we were going to get through the holiday and then have a baby, and then it just seemed to kick off a bit quickly," the Prime Minister said.
"We woke up this morning and thought she was having contractions and it was all beginning to get going, so we thought we would come to the hospital just to get everything checked out, and then things sort of sped up and it all happened very very quickly and the baby popped out out at about 12 o'clock.
"They seemed to be doing fine and my job was to make the toast and the tea, things like that, but it's absolutely thrilling, really exciting and it's just lovely they are both doing so well."
A Downing Street spokesman said: "The Prime Minister and Mrs Cameron are delighted to announce the birth of their fourth child, a baby girl. Both the baby - who was born weighing 6lbs 1oz - and Mrs Cameron are doing very well.
"The PM and Mrs Cameron would like to thank the doctors and nurses at the hospital for their help and kindness."
Mr Cameron said the early birth had been "a bit of a shock".
He said: "It was a bit of a shock. I always thought it was possible because Samantha's have tended to come a bit early
"She had been having contractions for the last couple of days on and off and just sort of thought this was time to come to the hospital and check out, see if everything was fine, and the next thing we knew we were all getting into the gear and baby was coming out."
Mr Cameron said he was "in for suggestions" for names with a Cornish link.
"It was very exciting having a baby in Cornwall, we'll have to have something Cornish in there somewhere.
"I've got the book out, Samantha's having a look through and she'll decide, I'm sure, before long."
Tamara was suggested to the Prime Minister as a possible name - a reference to the River Tamar which forms Cornwall's border with Devon.
"Well obviously we're the right side of the Tamar, that's right," he said.
The child is only the second born to a serving prime minister in 150 years. The other child was Leo Blair, the son of Tony and Cherie Blair, born in May 2000.
The Camerons' first child, Ivan, died last January aged six. The couple have two surviving children, Nancy, 6, and Arthur Elwyn, 4. Both were "thrilled, bouncing up and down, and dying to say hello to the new baby", Mr Cameron said.
In May 2000, Leo Blair became the first child to be born to a serving prime minister.
Shadow foreign secretary and Labour leadership favourite David Miliband said: "I'd like to offer many congratulations to Samantha and David Cameron on the birth of their baby girl."
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, who was holding the fort in Downing Street during the Camerons' holiday, sent his congratulations to the Prime Minister.
He said: "Miriam and I are absolutely delighted by the fantastic news.
"All our best wishes are with David and Samantha at this special time for them and their family."
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