More than twelve hours after Kate was admitted to hospital in the early stages of labour, the world continues to wait with bated breath for news that the newest member of the royal family has arrived.
The Duchess of Cambridge was admitted to hospital early Monday morning, palace officials announced.
“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 said on Twitter.
She was taken to hospital in a car, not an ambulance, alongside her husband, Prince William.
They went in through a side door, CityNews reporter Francis D’Souza said, and the next official announcement is expected after Kate delivers.
D’Souza is in London covering the event – follow along with his live blog here and watch Breakfast Television beginning at 5:30 a.m. on City for live coverage from London.
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
#BREAKING: Kate Middleton admitted to Lindo Wing in early stage of labour. FINALLY! #RoyalBaby — Francis D’Souza (@cityfrancis) July 22, 2013
After Kate gives birth, a birth certificate will be carried from the hospital to Buckingham Palace, where it will be posted on the public gates.
The posting will be followed by “extensive” canon fire throughout London, 62 shots from the Tower of London and 41 from Green Park.
The public will find out the name and gender at this time. However, it’s not yet known when a photo will be released.
Any Royal Baby questions? Click here to see the answers.
Excitement is building in Toronto,with a TV screen in the lobby of the Royal York hotel set to the BBC for the latest updates from London — part of a special display that includes a guestbook where well-wishers can leave a message for Prince William and his wife Kate.
A second guestbook was brought out just after noon and every few minutes, another person stopped to add a message for the royal parents-to-be.
A spokeswoman for the hotel said the display has been up for two weeks but has drawn more attention in the past few days.
Sonya Singh said some guests have even asked whether staff have insider knowledge of the birth, since several members of the Royal Family have stayed in the hotel when in Toronto.
Elsewhere in the city, the CN Tower will light up in either solid blue or pink on the evening the birth is announced.
Niagara Falls will follow suit: At the request of the Monarchist League of Canada, the wonder of the world will be lit up blue or pink depending on the gender.
Regardless if the baby is a boy or a girl, it will be third in line to the throne, thanks to a recent change from Queen Elizabeth.
Prince William and Kate have said they have chosen not to find out the sex of their baby. However, by Monday morning, 65 per cent of bookies had their odds on a girl. The top name is Alexandra.
With files from The Canadian Press
[View the story “Reaction to Duchess of Cambridge going into labour” on Storify]
