Sophie in hospital into next week

The countess will remain in hospital with her baby

The Countess of Wessex will remain in hospital to recover from the birth of her daughter until next week at least.

Buckingham Palace announced on Saturday that Prince Edward's wife is not well enough yet to go home.

The prince is at Sophie's bedside at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey where she was reunited with their daughter on Friday after six days apart.

Mother and baby had been treated in separate hospitals since the premature birth last Saturday.

Reunited

Sophie underwent an emergency Caesarean section at Frimley Park after suffering cramps at her Bagshot Park home.

The baby, who was a month premature, was initially transferred to St George's Hospital in Tooting, London, for intensive care.

Buckingham Palace said doctors at Frimley Park continue to monitor the condition of both mother and child.

On the baby's return to Frimley Park, Prince Edward spoke of his "great relief and joy" that his wife and daughter had been reunited.

Investigation

He described their reunion as "quite an emotional moment".

The prince, who missed the birth because he was abroad on a state visit to Mauritius, was with his family in hospital on Saturday.

The baby - who weighed 4lb 9oz at birth and who has not been named - was the first grandchild of the Queen to be born in an NHS hospital.

She will not take the title HRH.

There is an investigation underway into a Surrey police mix-up that meant the countess had to wait around half an hour to be taken to hospital.

The duty inspector in charge of the force's control room at the time has since been transferred to a desk job.

An inquiry into the incident is being carried out.