LONDON — Prime Minister David Cameron’s wife gave birth to a girl yesterday while the couple were away from London on their summer vacation.
Cameron’s office said the baby was born at Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro, a town in southwestern England. The couple had been spending a break in Cornwall with their son and daughter.
Samantha Cameron, 39, had been expected to give birth in September, and arrangements were in place for the prime minister to take paternity leave next month.
Cameron said he and his wife dashed to the hospital this morning.
“It was a bit of a shock, but I always thought it was possible,’’ Cameron, 43, told reporters outside the hospital. “It all happened very, very quickly.’’
Cameron said the baby had been born about midday, and it was “absolutely thrilling, really exciting’’ news.
His office said the baby weighed 6 pounds, 1 ounce and confirmed the child and his wife were doing well.
“The prime minister and Mrs. Cameron would like to thank the doctors and nurses at the hospital for their help and kindness,’’ Cameron’s Downing Street office said in a statement.
They have two other children, Elwen and Nancy. Their severely disabled son, Ivan, died last year at age 6.
Cameron has often used scenes of his domestic life in his political campaigning, including videos in which his children are heard — but not seen — interrupting their father as he addresses the camera.
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