The Duchess of Cambridge has given birth to a son weighing 8lbs 7oz, Kensington Palace has announced.
The ‘Great Kate Wait’ has officially begun as royal fans across the world excitedly wait to hear news of the new arrival.
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 1101hrs.
The baby weighs 8lbs 7oz.
The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth.
Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well.
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 23, 2018
It is understood Kate was taken to private maternity Lindo Wing 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.
A Kensington Palace statement confirmed Kate was driven to the private wing in Paddington with husband, Prince William.
Kensington Palace tweeted: “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.”
Kate is being cared for by consultant obstetrician Guy Thorpe-Beeston and Alan Farthing, the Queen’s surgeon-gynaecologist – both were part of the trusted team who delivered Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
Highly-trained midwives will also be on hand, while experts will be waiting in the wings in case of an emergency. For her previous births, Kate had a 23-strong team of top medics working or on standby.
Royal fans outside the Lindo were given a false sense of hope as another couple exited the exclusive hospital with their new bundle of joy.
The couple were met with cheers from the crowd before the fans realised it was not William and Kate with the royal baby, the beeming parents still posed for pictures.