British Royal Infant Leaves Hospital in Mother’s Arms

A beaming Duchess of York left the hospital on Friday with her still-unnamed baby girl asleep in her arms.

The 5-day-old infant, fifth in line to the British throne, was wrapped in a white shawl with only a hint of her reddish hair visible to nearly 2,000 people waiting outside the central London hospital.

Well-wishers cheered the red-haired duchess, the former Sarah Ferguson, as she emerged from the hospital, accompanied by her husband, Prince Andrew.

Wearing a blue-and-white maternity dress, the 28-year-old duchess looked pale but smiled and waved to the crowd before driving off with her husband and their firstborn.

Security Men Startled

The duchess, fondly known as “Fergie,” startled security men when she handed the baby to her husband and walked toward hundreds of journalists, photographers and well-wishers.

A guard rushed to her when she stumbled as she strode toward an American tourist to receive a bouquet.

Heidi Alasio, of Eugene, Ore., said: “She came to take my flowers and slipped. I am glad she did not fall all the way. It was a very sweet thing to do.”

The duke and duchess are expected to introduce their daughter to her grandmother Queen Elizabeth II next week at a Royal Family gathering at Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands.

The duchess gave birth to the 6-pound, 12-ounce girl at London’s Portland Hospital on Monday.

The British media are still guessing what her name will be, with bookmakers taking favorites Charlotte, Annabel, Elizabeth and Victoria.