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

She travelled by car from Kensington Palace to the Lindo Wing of the hospital with the Duke of Cambridge.

Kate 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.

The world's press have been camped outside St Mary's in Paddington for days in anticipation of the birth.

The news that had been dubbed by bored journalists 'the Great Kate Wait' was finally over was announced in a brief statement from Kensington Palace at 7.30am after rumours she had been spotted began circulating.

The statement read: "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge has been admitted this morning to St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, London, 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 Duchess was taken to the Lindo wing just before 6am. Kate and William, who spent the weekend at Kensington Palace, travelled without a police escort, their spokesman said. He added: "Things are progressing as normal."

There was a strong police presence around the hospital and two police officers guarded the entrance to the private wing.

Carly Gargett, 31, an event manager from Sydney, Australia, who lives in London, said: "I have been doing live Facebook updates to all my friends back in Australia. They were texting me this morning saying 'What's going on?' because I'd missed it happening so early.

Miss Gargett said she thinks the Duchess would love to have a girl, adding: "Every girl would like a girl princess," she said. I'm picking Charlotte as the name - I have a feeling in my waters. I don't think I'll be doing a lot of work today, I have the royal baby cam live feed to my phone, I am so excited."