The Duchess of Cambridge has been admitted to St Mary’s Hospital in London in the early stages of labour, Kensington Palace says.
She travelled by car from Kensington Palace to the Lindo Wing of the hospital with the Duke of Cambridge.
The news that what had been dubbed ‘the Great Kate Wait’ was finally over was announced in a brief statement from Kensington Palace at 7.30am after rumours she had been spotted began circulating.
The statement read: “Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge has been admitted this morning to St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London, 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.”
The Duke and his younger brother Prince Harry were born in the Lindo wing and the Prince and Princess of Wales famously posed on the building’s steps in 1982 holding baby William in turn.
Betting on the name of the royal baby, which will be third-in-line to the throne, has produced one favourite with a number of bookies – Alexandra.
Many punters believe William and Kate will have a girl and have put their money on the name.
Other monikers that have attracted royal fans include Charlotte, Diana, Elizabeth and Victoria, with George and James picked by those who think the new baby will be a boy.
William will take paternity leave from his job as an RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot.
But it is not known how long the Duchess will take off from her royal duties to care for her first child.
The new royal baby will be the Queen’s third great-grandchild and is destined to be crowned monarch.
It will be the 43rd sovereign since William the Conqueror if, as expected, it follows reigns by Charles then William.
The Duke is known to want a daughter while the Duchess is hoping for a son.