Duchess in labour as world waits
The duchess's due date has not been officially announced
The Duchess of Cambridge
is in labour, as the world's media gathers outside the hospital awaiting
news of the latest addition to the Royal family.
Catherine and the Duke of Cambridge arrived by car at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, west London, at 06:00 BST. Kensington Palace said she was in the early stages of labour, which was progressing as normal.
The couple do not know the sex of their first child, who will be third in line to the throne.
The world's press have been camped outside St Mary's for days in anticipation of the birth. The due date had never been officially announced but had widely been expected to be mid-July.
Royal vehicles were seen at a back entrance to the hospital at about 06:00 BST, with the announcement coming from Kensington Palace 90 minutes later.
Police presence The couple, both 31, travelled to the hospital without a police escort, their spokesman said.
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The statement from Kensington Palace contains just 45 words.
Such is the global fascination with this baby, those words will be translated into countless languages and endlessly repeated until fresh information is provided once the child has been born.
This intense international interest highlights the challenges facing William and Kate.
The birth of a child is a deeply personal and private moment. But in their case, it will also be the cause of much wider celebration.
Prince Charles had a similar experience when Prince William was born. He wrote of being rewarded by seeing "a small creature" who "belonged to us even though he seemed to belong to everyone else as well".
Thirty-one years on, the world waits while the Duchess of Cambridge is in labour - something which is not without risk.
Her baby will represent the beginning of family life for the couple and will offer the House of Windsor renewed hope for the future.
Such is the global fascination with this baby, those words will be translated into countless languages and endlessly repeated until fresh information is provided once the child has been born.
This intense international interest highlights the challenges facing William and Kate.
The birth of a child is a deeply personal and private moment. But in their case, it will also be the cause of much wider celebration.
Prince Charles had a similar experience when Prince William was born. He wrote of being rewarded by seeing "a small creature" who "belonged to us even though he seemed to belong to everyone else as well".
Thirty-one years on, the world waits while the Duchess of Cambridge is in labour - something which is not without risk.
Her baby will represent the beginning of family life for the couple and will offer the House of Windsor renewed hope for the future.
The duchess is being tended by a
top medical team led by the Queen's gynaecologist Marcus Setchell, who
delivered the Countess of Wessex's two children. Alan Farthing,
gynaecologist to the royal household, will be assisting.
She will give birth in the hospital's private Lindo wing, where Prince William and his younger brother Prince Harry were born. There is a strong police presence around the hospital and two police officers are guarding the entrance to the private wing. The media scrum parked outside is having to contend with the heat on what is the hottest day of the year.
BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt said the duchess was thought to be one week past her due date.
"The royal statement contains 45 words. All there will be to sustain the world's media until the baby is born," he tweeted.
Last week, the Queen joked about the imminent arrival of the newest member of her family, saying she hoped the baby was born before she went on holiday to her private Balmoral estate in Scotland.
During a visit to the National Railway Museum in York, the Prince of Wales was asked by the members of the press and the public about the birth of his first grandchild but he did not divulge any information.
Easel announcement Prince William has been with his wife on annual leave and will have two weeks' paternity leave from his job as an RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot.
It is believed the next time the couple will be seen in public is when they appear on the steps of the hospital with their baby.
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Crowds gathered on Monday morning for the
changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, with many interested in
news of the royal baby
1/9
The way the birth will be announced is
steeped in tradition. It is custom for news of royal births and deaths
to be attached to the railings of Buckingham Palace, but in this case it
will be displayed on an ornate easel in the forecourt of the palace.
The Queen, senior members of the Royal Family, and the
duchess's family - if they are not at the hospital - will be told about
the birth first. Then a royal aide will take a bulletin, signed by key medical staff, from the hospital to the palace under police escort.
After the note is displayed, an announcement will be posted on Twitter and Facebook, and the media will be informed.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's first child will be third in line to the British throne
Prime Minister David Cameron spoke about the excitement surrounding the imminent arrival, and also about the recent changes to the rules of succession.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour, he said it was "pretty much a done deal".
'Thoughts and prayers' All the nations of the Commonwealth have agreed, he said, even if the changes had not yet passed through their parliaments.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, who is likely to carry out any christening, has sent his best wishes to the couple.
"My thoughts and prayers are with Kate and the whole family on this enormously special day," tweeted the Most Reverend Justin Welby.
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How will the birth be announced?
- An official announcement signed by key medical staff will be driven to Buckingham Palace under police escort
- It will be displayed on an ornate easel in the palace forecourt
- The gender and weight are likely to be included in the announcement, but the name is not expected to be revealed straight away
- An announcement will then be posted on Twitter and Facebook, and the media will be informed
There is global interest in the
royal birth and it has been the subject of much speculation,
particularly when it comes to names.
Bookmakers William Hill says George is the favourite for a
boy and, after a flurry of bets, Alexandra - one of the Queen's middle
names - for a girl. Charlotte is also thought to be a contender.The new royal baby will be the Queen's third great-grandchild. It will be expected to take the throne following reigns by Prince Charles and then Prince William.
The couple announced they were expecting their first child in December after the duchess was admitted to hospital suffering from severe morning sickness.
Since the announcement, the duchess has carried out 19 days of public engagements before going on maternity leave in the middle of June.
Catherine's final public appearance before the birth was at the Trooping the Colour ceremony in June.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were married at Westminster Abbey in April 2011, watched on television by hundreds of millions of people around the world.
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