Royals

Catherine in ‘early stages of labour’: Kensington Palace

Apr 23, 2018

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge pictured outside St Mary's Hospital after Princess Charlotte's birth. Source: Getty

The Duchess of Cambridge has gone into labour with her third baby, Kensington Palace announced on Monday.

Catherine has been admitted to the Lindo Wing at St. Mary’s Hospital — the same hospital where she had her and Prince William’s other two children, George and Charlotte.

Kensington Palace said in a tweet that she arrived at the hospital on Monday morning, local time, with William by her side.

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.

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

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) April 23, 2018

The royals announced Catherine was pregnant last September. As with her previous pregnancies, the Duchess suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum, an extreme form of morning sickness, that forced the Palace to reveal the happy news before she reached the 12-week stage.

Once again, William and Catherine decided not to reveal the gender of their baby ahead of the birth, instead leaving the world guessing, and betting, on what it would be.

Bookies have the odds picked at a girl named Alice, though Victoria and Mary are close runners up in the name stakes. For a boy, royal fans have placed their bets on Arthur or Louis – both of which are William’s middle names.

George and Charlotte’s new sibling will be fifth in line to the throne, bumping their uncle Harry further down the ladder.

Earlier in April, it was revealed the medical team managing Catherine’s delivery will be led by Alan Farthing. Guy Thorpe-Beeston, who holds the role of surgeon gynaecologist to the Royal Household, will also be present at the birth. Both doctors helped deliver Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

St Mary’s is no stranger to royal babies. Prince William was born in the Lindo Wing like his children, and Prince Harry was delivered in a different area in the hospital.

Despite her heavy workload, and having two kids under the age of five at home, the Catherine didn’t hold back on her royal commitments throughout her pregnancy and was pictured carrying out her official duties as normal over the past nine months. She was pictured just weeks ago in a bright green coat and dress at an event to support the importance of education for new parents – especially young mothers who may not have the resources the royal has at her disposal.