Duchess of Cambridge in labor

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MANILA, Philippines (3rd UPDATE) – Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, was admitted to hospital Monday in the early stages of labor, Kensington Palace said Monday, July 22.

The Duchess has gone to St Mary’s Hospital in London, and travelled by car to the private Lindo Wing of the hospital accompanied by Prince William.

The BBC reported that the Duchess was admitted to hospital at around 6 am local time (1 pm Manila time).

“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,” Kensington Palace said in a statement.

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge has been admitted to St. Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London in the early stages of labour.

— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) July 22, 2013

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

— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) July 22, 2013

It is the same hospital where Princess Diana gave birth to Princes William and Harry.

Kate and William’s firstborn will be the 3rd in line to the British throne, taking the place of Prince Harry, William’s younger brother, in the succession line.

Regardless of whether the baby will be a boy or a girl, the Succession to the Throne Act of 2013 will ensure that the child will be in line to the throne.

A birth announcement on a wood and gold easel was placed behind the gates of Buckingham Palace, in accordance to tradition. It will also be announced via Twitter on the official account of Clarence House.

The duchess is being tended by a top medical team led by the queen’s former gynecologist Marcus Setchell, assisted by his successor Alan Farthing.

The world’s press have been camped outside St Mary’s for the past three weeks in anticipation of the birth.

There was a strong police presence around the hospital and two police officers guarded the entrance to the private wing.

According to the palace, the next statement will be issued when the baby is born.

Royal family, Middletons await

The duchess made her final public appearance before giving birth on June 15, attending the queen’s official birthday celebrations.

Dickie Arbiter, a former press secretary to Queen Elizabeth said the royal family were unlikely to visit once the new addition arrives.

“I was here 31 years ago when William was born so we have come full circle,” he said.

“The family will be waiting like any other family for news of the baby.

“The queen will be the first to be informed because William will telephone her as soon as something happens.

“William be at Kate’s side comforting her. He will be as concerned as she is. She is going through the agony and he is sharing it.

“It is a new experience for every father and parent; he can be told about what details are like but she’s experiencing it.

“The Middletons might come down but the royals won’t because it demands another level of security and the last thing they’ll want is to disrupt the hospital.”

William and Kate live in a cottage at Kensington Palace when in London.

Otherwise they are based on the rural island of Anglesey in northwest Wales, where William works as a Royal Air Force search and rescue pilot.

The only other member of their household so far is Kate’s dog Lupo, bought last year to keep her company when William was posted to the Falkland Islands.

There has been a betting frenzy on the name of the royal baby, with Alexandra topping several bookmakers’ lists.

Other names among those with the shortest odds are Charlotte, Diana, Elizabeth and Victoria, with George and James picked by those who think the new baby will be a boy. – KD Suarez, with reports from Agence France-Presse/Rappler.com