Prince Edward's wife, Sophie Rhys-Jones, gave birth to a premature baby girl by emergency caesarean section on the weekend. She and her baby are both fine.

The yet-unnamed child was born several weeks early, weighing four pounds, nine ounces, Buckingham Palace said Sunday. The girl was transferred to the neonatal unit of a different hospital as a precaution.

"I'm just thrilled to bits," said Edward, 39.

Edward talks to media outside hospital

LINE OF SUCCESSION TO BRITISH THRONE

1. Charles, the Prince of Wales 2: Prince William 3: Prince Harry 4: Andrew, the Duke of York 5: Princess Beatrice 6: Princess Eugenie 7: Edward, the Earl of Wessex 8: Edward and Sophie's child 9: Anne, the Princess Royal10: Peter Phillips (Anne's son)11: Zara Phillips (Anne's daughter)

"First of all, I am rather shocked and delighted at the news, obviously very sorry that I was not able to be part of it." The prince was on an official visit to Mauritius at the time and flew back Sunday.

"I have seen Sophie. She is doing well," he added. Edward talked to reporters after spending about an hour with his wife at Frimley Park Hospital south of London.

The girl, born just before midnight Saturday, will not have the title Her Royal Highness but will be known as Lady. She is the Queen's seventh grandchild.

Two years ago, Sophie was rushed to hospital where doctors ended a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy. The condition involves the fetus developing outside the uterus.

• BACKGROUND: Edward and Sophie

The Countess of Wessex, 38, and Edward, the Queen's youngest child, were married in 1999.