Royal baby: Duchess of Cambridge in labour THE Duchess of Cambridge has been in labour about half a day, after being rushed to hospital in central London with Prince William at her side to give birth to the future heir to the throne. Shortly before 7.30am local time (5.30pm AEST), Kensington Palace made the public announcement Kate had earlier been admitted to St Mary's Hospital in Paddington and was 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 palace stated in a very brief statement. Palace sources about eight hours after she was admitted into hospital added: "Kate went into labour naturally and things are progressing well." Prince William and his wife Kate are awaiting the birth of their first child at a London hospital. Picture: Nicolas Asfouri Queen Elizabeth II arrives at Buckingham Palace ahead of the birth of her great-grandchild at St Mary's Hospital in London. Picture: Jordan Mansfield Source: Getty Images The 31-year-old duchess was admitted at 5.30am London time making the short drive with Prince William and a police minder from her home at Kensington Palace. Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge has been admitted to St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington, London in the early stages of labour. &mdash; Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) July 22, 2013 A palace official had earlier contacted royal physician and the Queen's former gynaecologist Marcus Setchell and current royal gynaecologist Alan Farthing to be at the hospital. Prince Charles, who will become a grandfather for the first time, was yesterday asked about the birth while he visited a train museum in York in the far north of the country. When asked what he knew of the labour, he replied: "Absolutely nothing at the moment, we're waiting." "I'm very grateful indeed for the kind wishes for my rather slowly-approaching grandfatherhood," he said after news that Kate had gone into labour in London. Charles was also wished luck with the arrival of his impending grandchild as he visited an abattoir in Yorkshire. "Some of you may realise that with grandfatherhood comes, in four months' time, old age pensionerhood," he said But he added that he hoped he had a long shelf-life. Charles made the comments at Dovecote Park food processing in West Yorkshire, after its owner Richard Canvin told him: "We'd like to wish you a speedy and safe arrival of your first grandchild." Prince Charles views a steam locomotive at the National Railway Museum in York as his son William's wife, Kate, is in the early stages of labor in London. Picture: Lynne Cameron Source: AP Prime Minister David Cameron described it as a "very exciting occasion" and said the whole nation "is hoping for the best." The royal baby watch extends into the White House. Spokesman Jay Carney says that President Barack Obama and his family, like many Americans, "wait with anticipation" for the birth of the British royal heir. Mr Carney tells reporters that the Obamas wish Prince William, his wife, Kate, and all of Britain well on the "pending momentous occasion." Mr Carney isn't commenting about what gift the Obamas plan to send the baby. The archbishop of Canterbury the Most Reverand Justin Welby tweeted: "My thoughts and prayers are with Kate and the whole family on this enormously special day." Outside the hospital, a large contingent of the world press stretching an incredible 150m along the road fronting the hospital and in parts 10 people deep, gave out a small cheer as news broke the birth process had begun. The royal couple managed to enter the hospital through a private entrance, avoiding the large throng of media camped out at various entrances to the hospital. A number of police were immediately posted outside the ward and the hospital wing. Across the country, the momentous early morning news attracted great public excitement and relief. Hundreds descended on the hospital within the first few hours of the news. At Buckingham Palace crowds also gathered outside the gates on what was the hottest days of the year with the mercury tipping 32 degrees. Britons and other well wishers were being directed to Buckingham Palace instead of the hospital street which was already overcrowded by midmorning. While Prince William will personally ring his grandmother the Queen to tell her the news as well as his father Prince Charles it is at Buckingham Palace that the public will hear the news. At the Palace officials were dusting off plans for an elaborate "piece of theatre," as officials have called it, that will follow the birth and follows tradition. After the baby is born, all doctors and staff present signed an official proclamation that is then handed to a royal courier who is then given a police escort through the streets of central London to hand the note to the palace. The Tower of London will also fire a succession of 62 cannon blasts to celebrate the birth. Former press secretary to the Queen Dickie Arbiter said the birth was a historic first. "There will be three heirs in waiting while the sovereign is fit and well and that's a first," he said. Both Prince William and Prince Harry were both born at the same wing. No real surprise all things royal baby was trending on social media. Millions of Tweets were also being exchanged. One Tweet being retweeted read: "Her labour will last longer than an Aussie Cricket innings." The Duchess of Cambridge is being supported through her labour by a cheering squad of wellwishers from outside her hospital. Experienced mother Maria Scott, 42, of Newcastle upon Tyne has been sleeping in a tent outside the hospital since Saturday and was ecstatic about the development. Crowds of tourists gather on the steps of the Queen Victoria Memorial Statue outside Buckingham Palace awaiting a proclamation about the birth of the royal baby. Picture: Justin Tallis Source: AFP The sign at the gates of Buckingham Palace announcing the birth of Prince William (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images) Source: Supplied Since the duchess has cut back on her royal duties, media outlets have been clamouring for position outside of the hospital in anticipation of the birth, jockeying to secure the best vantage point for filming William and Kate emerging, babe in arms. Come autumn, however, the family will be able to move into their permanent London home, Apartment 1a at Kensington Palace - a four-storey house with a nursery, 20 rooms and a private garden. Do you think the royal baby will be a boy or a girl? 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