President Tan, PM Lee extend congratulations to British royals over birth of new Princess

SINGAPORE - President Tony Tan Keng Yam has conveyed his congratulations to Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of the Princess of Cambridge on May 2.

In a statement today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) added that President Tan has also conveyed a SG50 Jubilee Baby Package as a gift to Prince William and his wife Catherine on the birth of their first daughter.

In his letter to Queen Elizabeth, President Tan wrote: "My wife Mary and I send Your Majesty and His Royal Highness Prince Philip our warmest congratulations on the birth of your youngest great-granddaughter. We share in the joy and jubilation of the British people."

In his letter to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, he wrote: "We are delighted that your first daughter is born in the same year that Singapore is celebrating her 50th year of national independence (or SG50)."

He explained that the SG50 Baby Jubilee Gift symbolised "our collective best wishes and hopes for the next generation of Singaporeans", and that "we would similarly like to extend the very best wishes from the people of Singapore to your first daughter through this special gift."

In a separate letter, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong also extended his congratulations to Prince William and Kate.

"On behalf of the Government and people of Singapore, I offer my warmest congratulations on the birth of your daughter," PM Lee wrote.

seanyap@sph.com.sg