THE Earl of Wessex flew half way round the world last night to be reunited with his wife after the birth of their first child.

Sophie, 38, is recovering in hospital after undergoing an emergency caesarean section to deliver her premature daughter.

The countess and the baby girl, who is the Queen's seventh grandchild and eighth in line to the throne, were both said to doing well.

The birth is some welcome good news for the Royal Family after the furore over the Prince of Wales.

Edward - who was caught totally unawares and thousands of miles away - broke off from an official trip to Mauritius to join his wife and child.

Having spent an hour with Sophie at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey, Edward said he was "thrilled to bits" at the news.

He said: "First of all, I am rather shocked and delighted at the news, and obviously very sorry that I was not able to be part of it. I have seen Sophie, she is doing well - she has also had a bit of a fraught time of it."

The countess was taken to hospital on Saturday night where the emergency operation was carried out. Her daughter weighed only 4lb 9oz.

As a safety precaution, the baby was transferred to a specialist neo-natal unit at St George's Hospital, Tooting, south London, a few hours later.

Last night, having thanked the emergency crews and hospital staff, Edward said he was off to meet his child.

"If you'll excuse me, I am now going to make my way to London and see the other half of the team and go and see my daughter for the first time," he said. He went on: "I am rather shocked at the moment but delighted, just thrilled to bits. I can't wait to see her."

Edward emerged from the hospital later after spending an hour and 15 minutes with his wife and daughter.

He chatted to the medical team looking after her and told reporters his baby was "doing very well, doing very well indeed".

It is understood that the earl and countess have yet to decide on the baby's name.

Despite routine scans, they had not asked the sex of the child.

The baby, who will not be given the title of Her Royal Highness, will instead be known as Lady Windsor or possibly Mountbatten-Windsor.