Pregnant Kate goes into labour

She travelled by car from Kensington Palace to the Lindo Wing of the hospital with the Duke of Cambridge.

Kate is being tended by a top medical team led by the Queen’s former gynaecologist Marcus Setchell, who delivered the Countess of Wessex’s two children.

Kate is intending to have a natural birth and does not know whether she is going to have a boy or girl.

Kensington Palace issued a brief statement 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 Duchess was taken to the Lindo wing just before 6am. Kate and William, who spent the weekend at Kensington Palace, travelled without a police escort, their spokesman said.

He added: “Things are progressing as normal.”

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