New Zealand PM thanks Duke and Duchess of Essex in new baby blunder

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern mistakenly referred to Harry and Meghan as the Duke and Duchess of Essex as she introduced her baby daughter to the world.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, left, with her partner Clarke Gayford, holds their newly born baby girl, Neve, at Auckland Hospital. Picture: Greg Bowker/New Zealand Herald via AP

Making her first public appearance on Sunday since giving birth on Thursday, the 37-year old revealed she and her partner Clarke Gayford have named their baby Neve.

But Ms Adern, who is only the second elected world leader to give birth while holding office, mixed up her English counties, as she thanked the royal well-wishers.

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Harry and Meghan became the Duke and Duchess of Sussex when they got married last month. Picture: SWNS

Speaking outside Auckland City Hospital, she said: “It’s certainly mind-blowing receiving messages from people like the Duke and Duchess of Essex and the Queen. That’s certainly not something you expect.

“But it’s equally special to us were just those people who took time to send a little note, or a blanket or a set of booties.”

Holding her newborn daughter, whose full name is Neve Te Aroha Ardern Gayford, she said she hoped that one day having a baby while leading a country would not be seen as a novelty.