The Countess of Wessex had been in hospital for 11 days

Sophie underwent an emergency Caesarean section at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey after suffering cramps at her Bagshot Park home on 8 November.

The baby, who was four weeks premature and 4lbs 9oz when she was born, will stay in hospital for treatment.

Asked how the as yet unnamed baby was, Prince Edward's wife said: "She is wonderful. She is doing very well."

She added: "I can't thank staff and the medical team and nurses at Frimley Park enough for all they have done for me and our beautiful daughter who will be joining us at home to complete our family very soon. I am thrilled to be going home."

'Emotional moment'

The baby was initially taken to the neo-natal unit of St George's Hospital in Tooting, South London, for special care but was moved back to the Surrey hospital six days ago.

Prince Edward, who missed the birth as he was on a state visit to Mauritius, was with his wife and daughter when they were reunited and described it as "quite an emotional moment".

The birth caused controversy after it was revealed that a police inspector had failed to send an ambulance to Sophie's Bagshot Park home.

He mistakenly believed one had already been called and his error meant the countess had to wait 30 minutes for an ambulance after going into labour prematurely.