May the fourth be with you, Kate
The excitement’s building as the fourth in line to the throne gets ready to make an entrance.
THE ‘‘SPARE to the heir’’ is on the way, as the announcement that the Duchess of Cambridge is in labour with her second child triggers excitement around the world.
Kate Middleton arrived at the private Lindo wing of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington at 5pm last night (6am in the UK) in ‘‘the early stages of labour’’, Kensington Palace announced.
Within minutes camera crews, barred from setting up outside the hospital until the duchess’s arrival, began beaming pictures into living rooms around the world.
The new arrival will be the fourth in line to the throne, behind grandad Prince Charles, father Prince William, and big brother George.
An expectant British press had dubbed it the ‘‘Great Kate Wait’’, as anticipation built in the week since the reported due date.
Bookmakers slashed the odds of the new baby being given the name Alice after a flurry of bets.
Earlier in the week there was doubt Kate would end up at St Mary’s, after it emerged a superbug infection had closed one of its wards. But, after a deep clean, the all- clear was given. The duchess gave birth to Prince George at the same hospital in 2013.
After the baby is born, the royal family will be notified, and given ‘‘some time to take in the news’’, a royal source was quoted as saying. After that the birth will be announced, with the sex, time of birth and weight.
Palace sources said the couple did not know if they were having a boy or girl.
On Thursday, Prince Charles said he was hoping for a granddaughter.
If the birth takes place late evening, the announcement may not be made until the next morning.
At that point a formally signed bulletin will be taken to Buckingham Palace and displayed on an easel in the courtyard for the public to see.
There will be cannon salutes, bells will ring at Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s, and flags will fly at government buildings.
After leaving the hospital the family will spend a few days at Kensington Palace, before moving up to their home in Norfolk.
A few days after the birth, the couple will announce the child’s name.
The newborn will bump Prince Harry, who will visit New Zealand this month, to fifth place.
While awaiting the birth, Prince William headed to the Nepal embassy in London to sign a book of condolence for victims of the earthquake.
But the Daily Mail story about his visit was more concerned with the overdue baby, moving swiftly to describe the ‘‘superfans’’ who have been waiting for weeks outside St Mary’s Hospital.
Camper Sky London, 54, told the paper he is losing track of what day it was, but remained hopeful.
John Loughrey, 60, said it was the longest he had ever camped out and thought he had been there for 10 or 11 nights – but wasn’t sure.
He added he was looking forward to returning to a ‘‘normal life’’.
Meanwhile, Will and Kate were even accused of ‘‘ trolling’’ their Twitter followers after a throwback Thursday tweet.
Kensington Palace tweeted a picture of the pair with a baby, soon after rumours that Kate had gone into labour started circulating.
‘‘The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge introduce their son Prince George to the world for the first time #Throwback Thursday,’’ the tweet said.