Royal baby: Duchess Kate goes into labor

Marah Alindogan
Updated ·3 min read

The royal baby is almost here!

Kensington Palace announced on Monday at 12:22 a.m. that Duchess Kate has finally gone into labor.

"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 statement reads.

While Kensington Palace didn't reveal an official due date, officials did announce in early October that Kate and William were expecting their third child in April 2018, right before Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's May 19 wedding.

The 36-year-old royal will deliver baby No. 3 at the Lindo Wing of St. Mary's Hospital in Paddington, the same place where she gave birth to Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Kate's extravagant birthing plan has been set in stone for weeks now with "everything planned down to the tiniest detail."

See photos from Duchess Kate's third pregnancy:

Many changes have been taking place outside of the Lindo Wing for several weeks now -- from a fresh coat of paint on the railings of the entrance where baby No. 3 will make their public debut to strict parking restrictions around the area.

Kensington Palace revealed that Kate and William were expecting their third child in early September on Twitter. Following the announcement, Kate stayed out of the spotlight for several weeks due to a severe bout with Hyperemesis gravidarum, an illness that also plagued her previous two pregnancies. Affecting nearly one in every 200 pregnancies, Kate's symptoms included severe nausea, dehydration and low blood pressure.

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In mid-October, Kate made her first public appearance following her pregnancy announcement, showing off her barely-there bump in a lace Temperley frock. Since then, she's proved she's a total pro when it comes to maternity wear, stepping out in stunning looks by Alexander McQueen, Seraphine and Diane von Furstenberg.

The mother of George and Charlotte showed no signs of slowing down before going on maternity leave in late March. In fact, in the final months of her pregnancy, she carried out more public engagements than Prince William or Prince Harry.

The couple has remained mum about the sex of their third child (probably because royal tradition forbids them from finding out before the birth), but the internet is convinced that it's a boy given all the blue-hued looks Kate has worn in the past nine months. Boy or girl, we can't wait to meet the new royal bundle of joy!

For a complete look at Kate's third pregnancy, check out the complete timeline here.