While the nation was celebrating the birth of a royal baby at the weekend, parents at Darent Valley Hospital were welcoming the arrivals of their own bundles of joy.

Several babies were born at the Dartford hospital on Saturday, May 2, the same day that Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, gave birth to her daughter, Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.

The tiny tot, who weighed in at 8lb 3oz at 8.34am, is fourth in line to the throne after her grandfather, Charles, Prince of Wales, father, Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, and her brother, Prince George.

Among the proud parents at Darent Valley were Hayley Willson, 22, and Tom Nichols, 23, from Greenhithe.

Little Gracie-Rae was not due until May 8 but it would appear her arrival on Saturday was as fast as the royal baby once labour kicked in.

Proud mum Hayley had planned a home birth but was whisked to hospital in the nick of time.

"The ambulance crew panicked as she was coming so quickly," said Hayley. "My labour lasted two hours in total and after my waters broke at 3.13pm she arrived at 3.16pm."

Little Gracie-Rae weighed 6lb 15oz and is now home with her three sisters, all aged four and under.

Gracie-Rae's parents knew they were expecting a girl and are delighted she shares her birthday with royalty.

"It feels good that she was born the same day as the princess as she is our own little princess," added Hayley.

Other babies delivered by the midwifery team at Darent Valley on Saturday were Harry, who was born at 5.55am to delighted mum Sophie Field and weighed 6lb 2oz, and Summer, who was born at 5.34pm weighing 7lb 5oz to Christopher and Emma Blick from Bexleyheath.

Susannah and David Howell, from Dartford, welcomed their son Joseph, who weighed 8lb 6oz, at 5.45pm, while Adele Hamilton, from Gravesend, gave birth to 6lb 9oz Millie-Jane at 9.15pm, and little Casey Charles weighed 8lb 2oz when he was born at 9.37pm to proud mum Shauna Botes from Crayford.

A total of 17 babies - 10 boys and seven girls - were born at Darent Valley on the same day as Prince George on July 22, 2013.