After weeks of speculation and anticipation, Beyonce gave birth to her first child with husband Jay-Z on Saturday evening.

The singer checked into a private floor of New York’s Lenox Hill Hospital under the alias Ingrid Jackson ahead of the delivery.

The hospital tightened security measures for its VIP patient, taping over security camera lenses and collecting employees’ mobile phones upon arrival. Security guards also patrolled the area around the hospital.

But Twitter told the tale before any official confirmation from the parents. Gwyneth Paltrow was one of the first to welcome the baby, clearing up confusion about the name when she wrote, ‘Welcome to the world Blue! We love you already.’

Rihanna added to the well-wishes with her tweet. ‘Welcome to the world princess Carter! Love Aunty Rih’, she wrote.

Beyonce announced her pregnancy onstage at the MTV Video Music Awards in August, tearing open a Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo jacket and rubbing her bump in front of 12.4 million viewers.

The parents-to-be stayed characteristically quiet about the details of the pregnancy, though Beyonce’s Destiny’s Child bandmate Kelly Rowland let slip that the couple was expecting a girl.

‘I think her dad is gonna give her everything,’ Rowland said in November.

We’re sure he will—and then some. Congratulations to the happy family.

UPDATED Tuesday 10 January

Beyonce and Jay-Z have issued a statement officially announcing their daughter’s arrival.

‘Hello Hello Baby Blue! We are happy to announce the arrival of our beautiful daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, born on Saturday, January 7, 2012. Her birth was emotional and extremely peaceful, we are in heaven. She was delivered naturally at a healthy 7 lbs and it was the best experience of both of our lives. We are thankful to everyone for all your prayers, well wishes, love and support.’