The Duchess of Cambridge has been admitted to hospital and is in the early stages of labour, Kensington Palace has said.

She travelled by car from the palace to St Mary's in Paddington, west London, with her husband the Duke of Cambridge.

The couple do not know the gender of their first child, who will be third in line to the throne.

The BBC's Nick Witchell said there was likely to be no more news until the official announcement of the birth.

The world's press have been camped outside St Mary's for days in anticipation of the birth. The due date had never been officially announced but had widely been expected to be mid-July.

Royal vehicles were seen at a back entrance to the hospital at about 06:00 BST.

Nicholas Witchell read out the statement from Kensington Palace

It is believed the next time the couple will be seen in public is when they appear on the steps of the hospital with their baby.

The duchess 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 Duke of Cambridge has been with his wife on annual leave and will have two weeks' paternity leave.

Under new laws to succession the baby will remain third in line to the throne regardless of gender.

Catherine's final public appearance before the birth was at the Trooping the Colour ceremony in June.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were married at Westminster Abbey in April 2011, watched on television by millions of people around the world.

BRAKING NEWS- Duchess of Cambridge (Kate Middleton) is in Labour, Is it a boy or a girl? read here:
http://tundebadmuss..com/2013/07/breaking-news-kate-in-labour-says.html

Peter Hunt @BBCPeterHunt

According to Kate's spokesman, " things are progressing as normal". #RoyalBaby

Peter Hunt @BBCPeterHunt

Kate travelled to the private Lindo Wing by car not ambulance. #RoyalBaby

Peter Hunt @BBCPeterHunt

Kate's medical team includes the royal gynaecologists Marcus Setchell and Alan Farthing. #RoyalBaby

The waiting game continue...#RoyalBaby

Boy or girl #RoyalBaby

Peter Hunt @BBCPeterHunt

Writing on Twitter, Kate's uncle, Gary Goldsmith, says today is "very very exciting". #RoyalBaby
44 Minutes ago

Peter Hunt @BBCPeterHunt

Prince Charles -- poised to become a grandad for the first time -- is in York today. #RoyalBaby
6 Minutes ago

Peter Hunt @BBCPeterHunt

Apparently the photographs being offered of Kate arriving at the private Lindo Wing show two cars but not the duchess going in. #RoyalBaby
2 Minutes ago

Tourists also gathered outside the hospital after news broke that the third in line to the throne was on the way

Members of the world's media have waited outside the hospital for weeks for news of the royal baby

How will the birth be announced?

An official announcement signed by key medical staff will be driven to Buckingham Palace under police escort
It will be displayed on an ornate easel in the palace forecourt
The gender, name and weight are likely to be included in the announcement
An announcement will then be posted on Twitter and Facebook, and the media will be informed

#RoyalBaby

Crowds gathered on Monday morning for the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, with many interested in news of the royal baby

Its a baby boy!