THE Duchess of Cambridge has been admitted to St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, in the "early stages of labour", Kensington Palace said.

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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George and Princess Charlotte are pictured in this file photo from the Press Association

A tweet from the Kensington Palace Twitter account stated: "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 Lin

do Wing at St. Mary's Hospital with The Duke of Cambridge."

With George, the duchess gave birth 10-and-a-half hours after being admitted to hospital, but Charlotte was born just two hours and 34 minutes after Kate arrived at the Lindo Wing.

Press pens are now set to open in front of the hospital to allow media to get in place ready for the birth announcement.

The duchess went on maternity leave on March 22, but was seen at church with the royals on Easter Sunday in Windsor on April 1.

William and Kate chose not to find out whether they were having a girl or a boy at their scan.

The baby prince or princess will be born fifth in line to the throne, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh's sixth great-grandchild and a younger brother or sister for Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

The baby's title will be HRH Prince or Princess of Cambridge.

Favourite names at the bookmakers include Mary, Alice, Alexandra, Elizabeth, and Victoria for a girl and Arthur, Albert, Frederick, James and Philip for a boy.

It is understood Kate was taken to the private maternity unit of St Mary's hospital before 6am.

When the duchess was pregnant with Princess Charlotte her labour began in similar circumstances, with Kate being admitted around the same time and her daughter born a few hours later.

An unsuspecting couple have emerged from the Lindo Wing with their newborn baby to be greeted by the world's media.

They posed for photographs outside the famous door in front of dozens of journalists and photographers before leaving in a taxi.

The birth will be declared in both conventional and contemporary ways.

An announcement will be emailed to the press and a celebratory tweet posted on the Kensington Palace Twitter feed - @KensingtonRoyal.

There will also be the traditional custom of placing a framed paper proclamation on an ornate gold stand behind the iron railings of Buckingham Palace.