Duchess Kate has gone into the early stages of labour

Yes, the royal baby is on its way!

The world has been waiting for weeks for the Duchess of Cambridge to give birth so perhaps it wasn't surprising that even after going into labour and being admitted to St Mary's Hospital in London Kate wasn't about to be rushed.

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4:45am: The world is now waiting for news on the the birth the future king or queen.

The first hint the Duchess has actually given birth will come when a royal aide emerges from the hospital with a signed bulletin carrying the Buckingham Palace letterhead.

It will be driven to the palace and posted on an easel in public view.

In front of the palace gates on Monday afternoon sisters Sue and Pauline, on holiday from New Zealand and Australia respectively, were clad in their national flags on Monday afternoon.

"My sister always thought it was going to be born on Monday so we were ready to come down," Sue told AAP.

"We're happy to stay here and we're hoping to see the easel. Hopefully it's not after midnight (9am Sydney time) though. I don't think it can be too far away now. She went in at 6am didn't she?"

Across town at the Lindo, New Zealander Evelyn Clarke said the world had gone royal baby crazy principally because Kate was so great.

But by early Monday afternoon her commitment to stick it out in the sun was wavering. The UK is officially in the grip of a heatwave.

"I reckon I've just about had it," Ms Clarke, camera in hand, told AAP.

"Everyone is quite tense with the anxiety of waiting for something to happen.

"Everyone wants to be there at the right moment."

12:36am: A heavier police presence is felt at St Mary's, sparking speculation Clarence House is soon to officially announce the royal birth

12:30am: The Queen has arrived arrives at Buckingham Palace!

The Queen's flag was raised 10 minutes ago signalling her arrival (3:20pm in England).

10:18pm: The Archbishop of Canterbury sends his well wishes to Wills and Kate.

"My thoughts and prayers are with Kate and the whole family on this enormously special day."

10:00pm: Royal sources - Pippa and Carole Middleton are reportedly on their way to St Mary's hospital.

9:30pm: Prince Charles reportedly 'knows nothing' and is 'just waiting' for his daughter in-law to give birth.

St Mary's hospital releases statement:

"During her stay at the hospital, the Duchess is being cared for by an expert team.

"It goes without saying that the whole trust are exceptionally proud that they have chosen to have their baby here."

BBC reporter Peter Hunt shares British Prime Minister David Cameron comments on news of Duchess Kate's labour via Twitter:

"Best wishes to them, a very exciting occasion and the whole country is excited with them."

According to reports, Duchess Kate wasn't induced and her labour is progressing normally, with Prince William by her side.

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The official Clarence House twitter account confirmed the news after a London photographer sent the Twitter-sphere into a spiral of rumours.

Clarence House tweeted:

"Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge has been admitted to St. Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London in the early stages of labour."

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And continued:

"The Duchess travelled by car from Kensington Palace to the Lindo Wing at St. Mary’s Hospital with The Duke of Cambridge."

Clarence House confirms Duchess Kate is about to give birth, Source: Twitter

According to a Palace source, Duchess Kate stashed sugary sweets in her prepared suitcase to 'give her energy'.

Rumours began after photographer Jesal Parshotam tweeted today:

"@royaltydaily we saw the convoy and the security. She is in. Hopefully everything is smooth, and the pregnancy goes well #RoyalBaby"

The tweet that sent Twitter into a spiral. Source: Twitter

And were fuelled by BBC reporter Peter Hunt:

"The Duchess of Cambridge is in labour and has gone to give birth at the private Lindo Wing at St. Mary's Hospital in London. #RoyalBaby," the reporter tweeted.

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Prince William accompanied Kate to the hospital and is by her side as she gives birth.

Once the baby is born, Clarence House will officially announce the news in the traditional manner of posting a notice on an easel the Palace.

But before the public is made aware of the royal birth, England's Prime Minister David Cameron will be notified about the royal bub's arrival before anyone else.

The news will then be announced online.

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The royal baby - who will carry the official title Prince or Princess of Cambridge - will be third in line for the throne, after father Prince William.

While the gender of the royal baby is not known, new laws decreed by the Queen last year mean that the baby will remain third in line to rule regardless of gender.

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This will be the first child for Duchess Kate and Prince William, who were married in April of 2011.

For rolling updates on the royal baby, stay tuned to our Facebook page and twitter accounts @newideamagazine and @Niroyalbaby!