Duchess of Cambridge admitted to hospital, in early stages of labour

THE Duchess of Cambridge has been admitted to hospital in the “early stages” of labour with royal baby number three.

A statement from Kensington Palace confirmed the impending birth, stating Kate Middleton travelled to St Mary’s Hospital with her husband, Prince William.

The royal will be fifth in line to the throne, bumping Prince Harry out of the top five and into sixth place.

The baby will follow in line behind Prince Charles, who is next in line, followed by William, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

The Duchess of Cambridge is being cared for in the private Lindo Wing, where she gave birth to her first children Prince George, 4, and Princess Charlotte, 2.

The Metropolitan police have already set up barricades outside the hospital for when the royals leave with their new baby.

THE PREGNANCY

As with all of her pregnancies, Kate was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum — an extreme form of morning sickness — in her first trimester, prompting the palace to announce the news earlier than the standard three-month mark.

The statement, released last September, read: “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their third child. The Queen and members of both families are delighted with the news.”

Despite her sickness, the 36-year-old continued working until March 22.

The third royal baby is tipped for a speedy arrival. In 2013 Kate gave birth to Prince George in 10 and a half hours after being admitted to hospital, while Princess Charlotte made her appearance in just two hours and 34 minutes.

While it varies from woman to woman, many mothers report a much speedier birth when it comes to baby number three.

ROYAL ARRIVAL

The arrival of the third baby will be marked with a bulletin on display at Buckingham Palace.

A brief formal announcement — on foolscap-sized paper set in a dark wooden frame — will be placed on an ornate golden easel on the forecourt of the Palace. It confirms the sex of the baby and the time of birth, but gives little else away, other than usually revealing that the baby has been “safely delivered” and mother and child are “doing well”.

It used to be handwritten, but is now typed. It will also be signed at the hospital by the doctors who tended to the duchess, and then ferried back to the Palace by car.

During her previous births, the Duchess has made an appearance with the royal bub outside the hospital, giving the world’s media and early look at the new arrival.

ROYAL NAME

The names given to royal babies are not usually revealed straight away, and the public is often left guessing for several days.

William and Kate took two days to announce both George and Charlotte’s names, informing the Queen of their choice beforehand.

The birth will be celebrated with a 41-gun salute in Green Park or Hyde Park — and a 62-gun salute at the Tower of London.

Bookies are tipping Mary as a potential name for the royal bub, followed by Alice and Victoria. For boys names, Albert, Arthur, Fred and Philip are favourites.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be on hand to dote on the new arrival as they live next-door in Kensington Palace and are said to be keen for a baby of their own.

On a trip to Belfast, the American former actress joked when she was shown an innovative range for newborns: “I’m sure at some point we’ll need the whole (lot).”

In an interview in 2016, Markle said becoming a mother was on her “bucket list”. “I can’t wait to start a family, but in due time,” she said. Harry has also said he would love to have children.

— With wires

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