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Kate goes into labor

July 22, 2013

The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, has been admitted to hospital for the birth of Britain's long-awaited royal baby, which is set to become third in line to the throne. She was accompanied by Prince William.

https://p.dw.com/p/19Bej
Photographers gather in front of the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, where Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrived to give birth in London July 22, 2013. Prince William's wife Kate has gone into labour and been admitted to hospital for the birth of the couple's first child, who will be third in line to the British throne, his office said on Monday. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett (BRITAIN - Tags: ROYALS ENTERTAINMENT HEALTH MEDIA TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)
Image: Reuters

Kate was taken to the private wing of St Mary's Hospital in west London just before 6 a.m. local time (0500 GMT) on Monday.

"The Duchess traveled by car from Kensington Palace to the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital with the Duke of Cambridge (William)," said a statement from Kensington Palace, the couple's official residence. "Things are progressing as normal. It wasn't an emergency."

The sex of the baby remains unknown as the couple have said they want it to be a surprise.

It's a boy!

The child would come behind its grandfather Prince Charles, and then William, in the line of succession to the throne. Any subsequent siblings would not affect the succession order after a recent change of the law by parliament ensured that male heirs no longer took precedence over female ones.

A traditional method is used to announce the birth. A messenger carries a piece of paper from the hospital to Buckingham Palace containing details of the gender, weight and time of birth.

The notice is then pinned on a board outside the main gates.

Kate, who was treated in hospital for acute morning sickness in the early stage of her pregnancy, made her last public appearance on June 15 at the "Trooping the Color" military ceremony for Queen Elizabeth's official birthday.

The Lindo Wing - where rooms cost about 5,000 pounds (5,800 euros; $7,800) - is where Princess Diana gave birth to William and his younger brother, Harry.

rc/mkg (AFP, AP, Reuters)