Duchess of Cambridge. In early stages of labour. “Catherine Elizabeth Middleton (colorized)” by Ricky Wilson – https://www.flickr.com/photos/rlwilsonphotography/13773362623. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Kensington Palace has announced that the Duchess of Cambridge has been admitted to hospital in labour.

Kate was taken to the private Lindo wing of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, as she prepares to give birth to her second child.

Kensington Palace says the labour is ‘progressing as nomal.’

The baby prince or princess will be fourth in line to the throne, the Queen’s fifth great-grandchild and a spare to the heir – a younger brother or sister for Prince George.

HRH The Duchess of Cambridge was admitted at 06.00hrs to St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London and is in the early stages of labour.

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 2, 2015

The Duchess travelled by car from Kensington Palace to the Lindo Wing at St. Mary’s Hospital with The Duke of Cambridge.

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 2, 2015

The Prime Minister David Cameron told BBC Breakfast News: ‘This is very exciting news- wishing them well and for a very happy outcome today.’

My best wishes to the Duchess of Cambridge, who is having her second child today. The whole country will wish her well.

— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) May 2, 2015

The Duchess, who was overdue, is being looked after by consultant obstetrician Guy Thorpe-Beeston.

He’s the surgeon-gynaecologist to the household.

He will be joined in the delivery room by Alan Farthing, the Queen’s surgeon-gynaecologist.

William and Kate were keen to avoid the media circus surrounding George’s arrival in July 2013.

Kate managed to travel to hospital this morning without being filmed, photographed or noticed by any media organisation.

“William and Kate wedding” by The_royal_family_on_the_balcony.jpg: Magnus Dderivative work: Blofeld Dr. (talk / cont) – The_royal_family_on_the_balcony.jpg. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Unlike last time, the world’s press have been prevented from camping outside the Lindo Wing for days in anticipation of the birth in what was dubbed the ‘Great Kate Wait.’

‘Press pens’ will be operating outside the hospital as journalists, photographers and camera crews wait for confirmation of the baby’s arrival.

St Mary’s Hospital Paddington. Lindo Wing is at the back of the hospital fronting South Wharf Road. Image: Google Satellite.

All of the media operations have been carefully controlled.

Any media workers without advanced accreditation will not be allowed in the media allocated areas outside the Lindo Wing.

Social media is expected to play a big role in the continuing unfolding of news.

After an announcement is emailed to the press, a celebratory tweet on the Kensington Palace Twitter feed- @KensingtonRoyal will be released 2 minutes later.

@KensingtonPalace Twitter feed.

George became the first future British monarch to have news of his birth tweeted by a royal household, with @ClarenceHouse declaring: ‘Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 4.24 pm.’

There will also be the traditional custom of placing a paper proclamation behind the iron railings of Buckingham Palace.

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Bookmakers are waiting to see whether they have to pay out on the name, delivery date, hair colour and weight of the baby.

Favourite names thought to be in the running include Alice, Elizabeth, Charlotte, Victoria or Diana for a girl and James, Richard, Arthur, Albert, Charles and Philip for a boy.

If the baby is a girl, she will be the first girl born to the British royal family to take the title princess for 25 years.

She would also be the highest-ranking female in line to the throne.

#royal baby is now trending on Twitter.

Author JK Rowling speculated yesterday that the birth may take place today.

She said: ‘I wonder what odds we’d get on the royal baby being born tomorrow and called Victoria?’

@KensingtonRoyal blessings!!!!!! 🎉🎊🎉🎊🎉🎊🎉🎊🎉

— Mary Beth (@itsmarybeth) May 2, 2015

hello, @KensingtonRoyal this is it? sweeeeeeeeeeeeet. #RoyalBabyIsComing #royalbabyishere #royalbaby #royalbabywatch pic.twitter.com/moiNNxE7hH

— ddsnorth ™ (@ddsnorth) May 2, 2015

@KensingtonRoyal @BuzzFeedNews Thoughts & prayers are with the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge at this seriously exciting time ☺️🇬🇧💖✌️

— Sarah (@Sarah07909750) May 2, 2015

@KensingtonRoyal Jersey people will be wishing the Duchess of Cambridge every possible good wish for a healthy birth pic.twitter.com/SsekLrzkHf

— Philip Ozouf (@philipozouf) May 2, 2015

Previous coverage

Royal Baby: Fans camp outside St. Mary’s Hospital Paddington