This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23402103

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Royal baby: Pregnant duchess taken to hospital Royal baby: Pregnant Kate taken to hospital
(35 minutes later)
The Duchess of Cambridge has been admitted to hospital and is in the early stages of labour, Kensington Palace has said. The Duchess of Cambridge has been taken to hospital in the early stages of labour, Kensington Palace has said.
She travelled by car from the palace to St Mary's in Paddington, west London, with her husband the Duke of Cambridge.She travelled by car from the palace to St Mary's in Paddington, west London, with her husband the Duke of Cambridge.
The couple do not know the sex of their first child, who will be third in line to the throne.The couple do not know the sex of their first child, who will be third in line to the throne.
The BBC's Nick Witchell said there was likely to be no more news until the official announcement of the birth. "Things are progressing as normal", said a spokesman. The next official announcement is likely to be that of the birth.
The world's press have been camped outside St Mary's for days in anticipation of the birth. The due date had never been officially announced but had widely been expected to be mid-July.The world's press have been camped outside St Mary's for days in anticipation of the birth. The due date had never been officially announced but had widely been expected to be mid-July.
Royal vehicles were seen at a back entrance to the hospital at about 06:00 BST, with the announcement coming from Kensington Palace an hour-and-a-half later.Royal vehicles were seen at a back entrance to the hospital at about 06:00 BST, with the announcement coming from Kensington Palace an hour-and-a-half later.
The couple travelled to the hospital without a police escort, their spokesman said.
Formal announcement
The duchess is being tended by a top medical team led by the Queen's former gynaecologist Marcus Setchell, who delivered the Countess of Wessex's two children.The duchess is being tended by a top medical team led by the Queen's former gynaecologist Marcus Setchell, who delivered the Countess of Wessex's two children.
Assisting him is Alan Farthing, the former fiance of murdered TV presenter Jill Dando and the Queen's current gynaecologist.Assisting him is Alan Farthing, the former fiance of murdered TV presenter Jill Dando and the Queen's current gynaecologist.
The Duke of Cambridge has been with his wife on annual leave and will have two weeks' paternity leave. She will give birth in the hospital's private Lindo wing, where Prince William and his younger brother Prince Harry were born.
The Duke of Cambridge has been with his wife on annual leave and will have two weeks' paternity leave from his job as an RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot.
It is believed the next time the couple will be seen in public is when they appear on the steps of the hospital with their baby.It is believed the next time the couple will be seen in public is when they appear on the steps of the hospital with their baby.
The way the birth will be announced is steeped in tradition. It is custom for news of royal births and deaths to be attached to the railings of Buckingham Palace but in this case, it will be displayed on an ornate easel in the forecourt of the palace. The way the birth will be announced is steeped in tradition. It is custom for news of royal births and deaths to be attached to the railings of Buckingham Palace, but in this case it will be displayed on an ornate easel in the forecourt of the palace.
The Queen, senior members of the Royal Family, and the duchess's family - if they are not at the hospital - will be told about the birth first.The Queen, senior members of the Royal Family, and the duchess's family - if they are not at the hospital - will be told about the birth first.
Then a royal aide will take the bulletin, signed by key medical staff, from the hospital to the palace under police escort. Then a royal aide will take a bulletin, signed by key medical staff, from the hospital to the palace under police escort.
After the note is displayed, an announcement will be posted on Twitter and Facebook, and the media will be informed.After the note is displayed, an announcement will be posted on Twitter and Facebook, and the media will be informed.
Under new laws to succession the baby will remain third in line to the throne regardless of gender. Under new laws to succession the baby will remain third in line to the throne regardless of gender, and the gender of any subsequent siblings.
The new royal baby will be the Queen's third great-grandchild. It will be expected to take the throne following reigns by Prince Charles and then Prince William.
The couple announced they were expecting their first child in December after the duchess was admitted to hospital suffering from severe morning sickness.The couple announced they were expecting their first child in December after the duchess was admitted to hospital suffering from severe morning sickness.
Since the announcement, the duchess has carried out 19 days of public engagements before going on maternity leave in the middle of June.Since the announcement, the duchess has carried out 19 days of public engagements before going on maternity leave in the middle of June.
Catherine's final public appearance before the birth was at the Trooping the Colour ceremony in June.Catherine's final public appearance before the birth was at the Trooping the Colour ceremony in June.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were married at Westminster Abbey in April 2011, watched on television by millions of people around the world. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were married at Westminster Abbey in April 2011, watched on television by hundreds of millions of people around the world.