World awaits new heir to British throne as Kate goes into labor
Source: Agencies |
July 23, 2013, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE heir is almost apparent.
Britain and the world waited for news yesterday afternoon, after Prince William's wife, Kate, checked into the private wing of a central London hospital and palace officials announced that she was in labor.
William was at his wife's side for the birth of their first child. It is a historic moment for the British monarchy - the baby will be third in line for the British throne, after Prince Charles and William, and should eventually become king or queen.
William and Kate entered St Mary's Hospital in central London through a side door early yesterday morning, avoiding the world's media. Kensington Palace confirmed her arrival about 90 minutes later.
Royal officials said they traveled by car, without a police escort, just before 6am. Kate - also known as the Duchess of Cambridge - is expected to give birth in the private Lindo Wing of the hospital, where Princess Diana also gave birth to William and his younger brother, Prince Harry.
"Things are progressing as normal," the couple's spokesman said.
Palace officials are not expected to provide many details about how her labor is progressing.
The baby is in line to become Britain's monarch and be recognized as head of state in 15 other countries, including Canada and Australia, playing a leading role in charting the future of the Commonwealth.
But little else is known, including how the baby will arrive - it is not clear if Kate will have a natural birth or deliver by a cesarean section - its gender and its name.
Prince Charles, about to become a grandfather, told well-wishers early yesterday afternoon that he had not received any updates about Kate's condition.
Queen Elizabeth II, the expectant great-grandmother, arrived at Buckingham Palace yesterday afternoon, drawing cheers from the crowd gathered to await the birth announcement.
Royal watchers must wait to be told of the baby's arrival from the palace, which is planning to reveal the news through a mixture of tradition and social media.
Palace officials have said that the first hint will come when a royal aide emerges from the hospital with a signed bulletin carrying the Buckingham Palace letterhead. The bulletin will be given to an official who will be driven to Buckingham Palace, where it will be posted on an easel in public view in front of the building.
At the same time the bulletin is posted, there will be an official announcement on Twitter and the media will be formally notified. The document will give the baby's gender, weight and time of birth.
It could be some time before the baby's name is made public. When William was born, a week passed before his name was announced. Charles's name remained a mystery for an entire month.
But it is the baby's gender that is of particular interest because the prospect of Kate's pregnancy prompted a change to laws of succession to ensure a daughter would not be passed over for the crown by a younger brother. Boy or girl, the child will be the prospective future monarch.
The birth of a new heir to the throne has been breathlessly anticipated by many Britons since William and Kate wed on April 29, 2011.
Reflecting the fact that not everyone is excited, however, the Guardian added a "republican" button to its website so that those not in favor of the monarchy could get a baby-free version of the paper.
Despite a rough start to the pregnancy, when she was hospitalized for acute morning sickness, the 31-year-old Kate made a number of public appearances halted only near her term's end. She is being care for by a top team led by royal gynecologist Dr Marcus Setchell.
Since the duchess has cut back on her royal duties, the media have been clamoring for position outside the hospital in anticipation of the birth.
Britain and the world waited for news yesterday afternoon, after Prince William's wife, Kate, checked into the private wing of a central London hospital and palace officials announced that she was in labor.
William was at his wife's side for the birth of their first child. It is a historic moment for the British monarchy - the baby will be third in line for the British throne, after Prince Charles and William, and should eventually become king or queen.
William and Kate entered St Mary's Hospital in central London through a side door early yesterday morning, avoiding the world's media. Kensington Palace confirmed her arrival about 90 minutes later.
Royal officials said they traveled by car, without a police escort, just before 6am. Kate - also known as the Duchess of Cambridge - is expected to give birth in the private Lindo Wing of the hospital, where Princess Diana also gave birth to William and his younger brother, Prince Harry.
"Things are progressing as normal," the couple's spokesman said.
Palace officials are not expected to provide many details about how her labor is progressing.
The baby is in line to become Britain's monarch and be recognized as head of state in 15 other countries, including Canada and Australia, playing a leading role in charting the future of the Commonwealth.
But little else is known, including how the baby will arrive - it is not clear if Kate will have a natural birth or deliver by a cesarean section - its gender and its name.
Prince Charles, about to become a grandfather, told well-wishers early yesterday afternoon that he had not received any updates about Kate's condition.
Queen Elizabeth II, the expectant great-grandmother, arrived at Buckingham Palace yesterday afternoon, drawing cheers from the crowd gathered to await the birth announcement.
Royal watchers must wait to be told of the baby's arrival from the palace, which is planning to reveal the news through a mixture of tradition and social media.
Palace officials have said that the first hint will come when a royal aide emerges from the hospital with a signed bulletin carrying the Buckingham Palace letterhead. The bulletin will be given to an official who will be driven to Buckingham Palace, where it will be posted on an easel in public view in front of the building.
At the same time the bulletin is posted, there will be an official announcement on Twitter and the media will be formally notified. The document will give the baby's gender, weight and time of birth.
It could be some time before the baby's name is made public. When William was born, a week passed before his name was announced. Charles's name remained a mystery for an entire month.
But it is the baby's gender that is of particular interest because the prospect of Kate's pregnancy prompted a change to laws of succession to ensure a daughter would not be passed over for the crown by a younger brother. Boy or girl, the child will be the prospective future monarch.
The birth of a new heir to the throne has been breathlessly anticipated by many Britons since William and Kate wed on April 29, 2011.
Reflecting the fact that not everyone is excited, however, the Guardian added a "republican" button to its website so that those not in favor of the monarchy could get a baby-free version of the paper.
Despite a rough start to the pregnancy, when she was hospitalized for acute morning sickness, the 31-year-old Kate made a number of public appearances halted only near her term's end. She is being care for by a top team led by royal gynecologist Dr Marcus Setchell.
Since the duchess has cut back on her royal duties, the media have been clamoring for position outside the hospital in anticipation of the birth.
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