The Duchess of Cambridge has been admitted to hospital in the early stages of labour with her third child.
Kensington Palace released a brief statement on Monday morning just before 8.30am confirming Kate, 36, has been taken to the Lindo Wing at St. Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London to give birth.
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The palace said: “Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was admitted to St. Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London earlier this morning in the early stages of labour.
“The Duchess travelled by car from Kensington Palace to the Lindo Wing at St. Mary’s Hospital with The Duke of Cambridge.”
Kate and husband, Prince William, 35, are already parents to son George, four, and daughter Charlotte, two.
They do not yet know the sex of their third baby.
The baby’s birth will likely be announced via press release and social media, as well as through the old tradition of an easel in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.
The baby will be fifth-in-line to the throne, after granddad Prince Charles, dad Prince William, big brother Prince George and big sister Princess Charlotte.
It means Prince Harry will be pushed down to sixth.
Kensington Palace previously confirmed that Kate’s due date was April, but an exact date was never been publicly confirmed.
Royal watchers knew the baby was due soon, however, when parking restrictions went up outside the Lindo Wing earlier this month, while barriers have also been erected in anticipation of the photographers and reporters who will descend on the scene.
It’s not that surprising Kate and William would choose the Lindo Wing for their third child, having seen their first two children delivered there.
Prince George was delivered at the Lindo Wing on July 22, 2013, while Princess Charlotte was born at the private maternity ward on May 2, 2015.
Prince William himself was born at St. Mary’s on June 21, 1982, while brother Prince Harry was also born at the Lindo Wing on September 15, 1984.
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Kate and William announced their third pregnancy in September. As with her previous two pregnancies, Kate suffered from hyperemesis gravidarium, an extreme form of morning sickness.
She went on maternity leave towards the end of March.
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