Duchess of Sussex: Meghan goes into labour with her first child
Plans surrounding the birth have been a closely-guarded secret since the pregnancy was announced last year.
Monday 6 May 2019 15:06, UK
The Duchess of Sussex has gone into labour with her first child, Buckingham Palace has announced.
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It follows weeks of speculation about when Meghan, 37, might give birth - but no details have been given about where she is having her baby.
Rhiannon Mills, Sky's Royal correspondent said: "It was in the early hours of this morning when the Duchess went into labour and the Duke was by her side."
Sky's Royal commentator Alastair Bruce said: "Its really exciting for the Queen to have another great grandchild and also for the rest of the Royal Family."
:: LIVE: Meghan's in labour - Royal baby on the way!
The pregnancy was announced in October, as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex began their first major overseas tour of Australia and New Zealand, and they were expecting the baby to arrive in the spring.
During a visit to Birkenhead in January, Meghan told a crowd of women during a walkabout that the new royal was due in April or May.
While there, she also said she liked the idea of Amy as a name when a young girl suggested it to her - but popular picks according to the bookmakers are Victoria, Diana, Arthur and James.
Just a few weeks ago, the duke and duchess announced they wanted to keep the arrival of their first child as private as possible.
In a statement, they said they were "very grateful for the goodwill they have received from people throughout the UK and around the world as they prepare to welcome their baby", but would not share more news until they have had "an opportunity to celebrate privately as a new family".
It was always the plan that the palace would announce when Meghan went into labour and when the baby was born, but it is not yet known if she has opted for a home birth or to go to a hospital.
Frimley Park in Surrey, where the Countess of Wessex had her two children, or The Kensington Wing at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, where Meghan's friend Amal Clooney gave birth to her twins, are possibilities.
The decision to keep the details private has been seen as a break from tradition.
Princess Diana had her William and Harry at the private Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital in London, and the Duchess of Cambridge had all three of her children there, too.
Kate emerged on each occasion with the baby in her arms, but Harry and Meghan have indicated that they would like to keep the fanfare to a minimum.
News of the birth - including whether the baby is a boy or girl - will come later from Buckingham Palace, but further details will probably not arrive for several days.
It is anticipated that Harry and Meghan will eventually pose for official photographs with their new child, but that is likely to be several days after the baby is born.
The photos would also be shared on their Instagram account.
The Royal Family, including the Queen and the Prince of Wales, have previously spoken of their "delight" about the imminent birth.
Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, was said to be "incredibly happy" and is widely expected to fly into the UK to meet her grandchild.
It is not known whether the new royal will be introduced to Meghan's father, Thomas Markle, who has complained of being "shunned and ghosted" by his daughter.
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