1964: Royal baby for leap year day

The Queen's cousin, Princess Alexandra, has given birth to a son at her home in Surrey.

The baby, who was more than a week overdue, is believed to be the first-ever royal baby to be born on 29 February.

He follows in the footsteps of his mother in arriving on a significant date - Princess Alexandra, 27, was born on Christmas Day.

The princess' husband, Angus Ogilvy, 35, was present at the birth in the couple's home, Thatched House Lodge in Richmond Park.

He telephoned the Queen shortly after his son was born at 1215GMT.

Princess Alexandra's mother, Princess Marina, was also at Thatched House Lodge when the baby was born.

She later told staff the child "looked just like his father".

A cable breaking the news of the birth was later sent to Mr Ogilvy's parents, the Earl and Countess of Airlie, who are at present sailing from South Africa to England.

'Master Ogilvy'

The Ogilvy baby was one of several royal babies due within months of each other.

The 9lb 6oz boy will be unique among them in having no title.

Master Ogilvy is currently 13th in line to the throne but will soon be displaced to 16th.

The Queen gives birth to her fourth child next month and Princess Margaret has her second in April.

The Duchess of Kent, Princess Alexandra's sister-in-law, is also expecting a baby later in the spring.

Princess Alexandra's nursing training and experience with babies at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children is expected to come in handy with her newborn.

However, she is expected to employ a nanny.

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Princess Alexandra is the first of four royals to give birth

In Context

The Ogilvy baby was named James Robert Bruce and christened in the chapel at Buckingham Palace. The Queen's fourth child was her third son, Prince Edward. Princess Margaret had a daughter, Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones. The Duchess of Kent's baby - her second - was a girl, Lady Helen Windsor. James Ogilvy was joined by a sister - Marina - in 1966. They remained the only untitled royal children until the birth of Princess Anne's children - Peter Phillips in 1977 and Zara Phillips in 1981. Princess Alexandra's husband, Angus Ogilvy, was knighted in 1989. Princess Alexandra is a patron or president of numerous organisations, many of which reflect her interest in medical and welfare issues.