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.

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.

Royal wedding
Harry and Meghan became the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (Jane Barlow/PA)

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

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.