Kate Middleton In Labour: 'Things Progressing As Normal'

The Duchess of Cambridge is still in labour at the Lindo Wing – and has just accepted delivery of some personal items at the hospital's side entrance

Kate Middleton is still in labour at the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital and is said to be 'progressing as normal', according to a Palace spokesperson.

The Duchess of Cambridge was admitted at 5.30am this morning and was said to be 'in the early stages of labour' on her arrival. We've seen very little movement outside the hospital and it's thought that Pippa and Carole Middleton are yet to arrive, but Kate has accepted a delivery of her personal items via a side entrance, prompting speculation that she may be staying a while.

The royal correspondent for Sky News, Paul Harrison said this afternoon that he believed a 'number of bits and bobs' had been brought to the Duchess by staff via various secret side entrances.

Us Weekly is reporting that the items in question include a laptop and iPod – though it's unlikely anyone but Kate, Prince William and their security team know the real nature of the items. Plus, we're not too sure that Kate will have any time for DVDs and web surfing while she copes with her contractions.

Princess Diana once said in an interview that she felt the 'whole country was in labour with her' while she was delivering Prince William back in 1982, and that can certainly be said for Kate Middleton today. The world's media have been camped outside the Lindo Wing since 1 July and are continuing with their coverage today, desperate for a hint of news that the royal baby has arrived.

It's not known if any members of the royal family will visit Kate, William and the royal baby at the hospital. The Queen returned to Buckingham Palace this afternoon from Windsor, while Prince Harry is on duty at RAF Wattisham in Suffolk.

We'll only know that the royal baby has arrived when a car carrying the all-important birth notice for the Buckingham Palace easel will sets off from the Lindo Wing with a police convoy. The notice will then be posted onto an easel outside the Palace by a royal footman, revealing to the world for the very first time the sex and birth weight of the royal heir.

The Great Kate Wait continues!

KATE MIDDLETON IN LABOUR

HOW NEWS OF KATE MIDDLETON'S LABOUR BROKE ON TWITTER

PRINCE CHARLES GIVES AN UPDATE ON KATE

ROYAL BABY PHOTOS!

WHAT WILL IT MEAN FOR THE UK IF THE BABY IS A GIRL?

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