Royal baby: Duchess of Cambridge in early stages of labour
The Duchess of Cambridge has been admitted to hospital in the early stages of labour.
Catherine was admitted to the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in west London where her first child, Prince George, was born in July 2013. Kensington Palace said “labour is progressing as normal” for the duchess, who was taken to the hospital by car. The duchess travelled from the palace with her husband Prince William and was admitted at 06:00 BST (05:00 GMT). Prime Minister David Cameron told BBC Breakfast it was “very exciting news”. He added: “With the rest of the nation I’ll be wishing them well today, hoping for a healthy and happy outcome.” Officials have said the duchess and the prince do not know the sex of their unborn child. The new baby will be fourth in line to the throne, behind his or her grandfather Prince Charles, father Prince William and brother Prince George. Catherine, who is thought to be overdue, is being looked after by consultant obstetrician Guy Thorpe-Beeston. He will be joined in the delivery room by Alan Farthing, the Queen’s surgeon-gynaecologist. Both Prince William and his brother Prince Harry were also born at the Lindo Wing. Fans of the Royal Family have been gathering near the hospital with flags and banners in recent days.
Email announcement
But unlike at the time of Prince George’s birth, the world’s press have been stopped from camping outside. Press areas will now open at the hospital for journalists, photographers and camera crews. The birth will be announced in an email to the press. Two minutes later, a tweet will be posted on the Kensington Palace Twitter feed – @KensingtonRoyal. There will also be the traditional custom of placing a paper announcement outside Buckingham Palace. Catherine went on maternity leave on 27 March when she carried out her last official public engagements before the birth. On that occasion, she and Prince William met Baroness Lawrence at the Stephen Lawrence Centre and saw projects run by the charity eXceL Project in London. Former press secretary to the Queen, Dickie Arbiter, said the duchess was carrying out royal duties until recently. He said: “She wasn’t letting anything stand in her way. She was feeling fit, if a little bit heavy.” He added: “She was supporting William, she was supporting the Royal Family and doing as much as she could.”
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news
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