Princess Beatrice has given birth to a healthy baby girl and while no names have been announced yet, bookies have revealed the top predicted name is Sarah - in a nod to grandma Sarah Ferguson.

Beatrice, 32, is the daughter of Prince Andrew and Fergie, and she gave birth to her first child at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital just before midnight at 11.42 pm on Saturday weighing 6 pounds and two ounces.

In the name stakes, as well as Sarah, Anna and Emily are also frontrunners as possibilities. So far Sarah is the early favourite with odds at 8/1 and Anna and Emily are joint second with odds of 10/1.

A nod to her Italian heritage is possible

Bookmakers Ladbrokes is also predicting an Italian name in a nod to the baby girl’s father, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. So far, Matilda is the name leading this field at 4/1, closely followed by Florence at 9/2.

Jessica O'Reilly of Ladbrokes said: "It should come as no surprise to see that punters are backing slightly more unusual names for the new royal baby given Beatrice and her sister's monikers.

"Matilda and Florence are proving popular names at the top of the betting, along with other Italian inspired choices such as Arabella and Giovanna."

Arabella has odds of 5/1 as does Cecelia, while Giovanna is 12/1. Elizabeth after the Queen is 7/1.

Sam Rosbottom of another agency, Betfair, said: "Sarah is the early 8/1 favourite, a nod to her mother Sarah the Duchess of York.

"We are tipping the happy couple to have an Italian flavour with their choice of name, with Edoardo's father hailing from Bergamo.

"The likes of Anna at 10/1 second favourite, Maria at 12/1 and Rosa at 14/1 suggest they could break from traditional British names usually favoured by the royal family."

Princess Beatrice tweeted the happy news

Princess Beatrice tweeted when her little girl had arrived "safely" into the world two days ago on Saturday September 18.

Beatrice is already a stepmother to Edoardo's five-year-old son Christopher Woolf, known as Wolfie.

They acknowledged this in their tweet: "Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well, and the couple are looking forward to introducing their daughter to her big brother Christopher Woolf."

Princess Beatrice also made sure to thank the hospital staff after the exciting arrival, writing: "So delighted to share the news of the safe arrival of our daughter on Saturday 18th September 2021, at 23.42, at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London.

"Thank you to the Midwife team and everyone at the hospital for their wonderful care."

The new baby’s grandparents and great-grandparents have all been informed - and are delighted with the news, the Palace said.

The newborn is Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson's second grandchild.

Beatrice has since been inundated with messages from the Royal Family, including the Queen and Prince Charles and Camilla.

Announcing the news on the Royal website, the Queen said she was "delighted".

Princess Eugenie has also shared a heartfelt message of congratulations to her sister Beatrice.

The proud aunt wrote on Instagram: "Congratulations on your new angel.

"I can't wait to meet her and I'm so proud of you."

A friend of the family said Sarah, Duchess of York was "over the moon" and had already met her new granddaughter.

The duchess returned from Balmoral on Friday and was introduced to her grandchild over the weekend.

"She is absolutely over the moon," the friend added.

The 12th great-grandchild for the Queen

The baby is the Queen's 12th great-grandchild, and arrives just over three months after little Lilibet Diana, Harry and Meghan's second child.

The monarch's large brood of great-grandchildren has swelled in 2021 - with Princess Eugenie welcoming baby son August in February and Zara Tindall her third child Lucas in March.

Image: Twitter