Royal baby latest: Duchess of Cambridge goes into labour with third child, announces Kensington Palace

Kate Middleton in 'early stages' of labour and has been driven to the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital

The Duchess of Cambridge has gone into labour with her third child.

Kensington Palace announced Kate Middleton had been admitted to St Mary’s Hospital in London earlier on Monday morning.

“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,” palace officials tweeted.

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

It is the same hospital where Prince George was born in 2013, and his younger sister, Princess Charlotte in 2015.

It is also the birthplace of their father Prince William and uncle Prince Harry.

The duchess went on maternity leave on 22 March, and parking restrictions notices and barriers were put in place in front of the Lindo Wing on 9 April.

The baby prince or princess will be born fifth in line to the throne, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh’s sixth great-grandchild, and their title will be HRH Prince or Princess of Cambridge.

Once the baby arrives, Prince Harry will shift down the line of succession to sixth place.

Favourite names at the bookmakers include Mary, Alice, Alexandra, Elizabeth, and Victoria for a girl, and Arthur, Albert, Frederick, James and Philip for a boy.

As well as emailed and Twitter statements from Kensington Palace, the arrival of the Cambridges’ third child will also be marked with a traditional bulletin on show at Buckingham Palace.

Just as when George and Charlotte were born, the age-old custom of placing a paper proclamation for the public to see at the Queen’s London residence will be carried out.

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 used to be hand-written, but is now typed.

George and Charlotte may visit the hospital to see their mother and baby sibling, just as George did when his younger sister was born three years ago.

The duchess’s pregnancy was announced by Kensington Palace on 4 September last year.

Additional reporting by agencies