The Duchess of Sussex is in labour with her first child, Kensington Palace has confirmed.
Meghan Markle, 37, went into labour with her first child this morning - with Prince Harry by her side.
Meghan is believed to have been overdue, and there had been speculation the duchess was looking likely to be induced.
[Read More: Everything We Know So Far About The Royal Baby]
The Duke and Duchess announced that Meghan was pregnant with their first child on 15 October at the start of their tour of Australia and New Zealand.
The Sussexes recently re-located from the two-bedroom Nottingham Cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace, London to Frogmore Cottage in Windsor Castle’s Home Park, near to where they were married on 19 May 2018. Their new Grade II listed home was gifted to them by the Queen.
The pair have decided to keep the plans around their first baby’s arrival private, breaking from recent royal tradition which has seen Prince William and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, pose for pictures outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, holding the newest member of their family.
Traditionally, princes and princesses were born in royal residences rather than hospitals – as avid viewers of The Crown will know. Queen Elizabeth II was born in the London home of her maternal grandparents in Mayfair, and her children were born in Buckingham Palace.
Princess Anne was the first royal to give birth in the now famous Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in London – welcoming her children Peter in 1977 and Zara in 1981.
In a recent statement, Kensington Palace officials said Harry and Meghan ``look forward″ to sharing the news of their baby’s birth after they have celebrated privately as a new family.
There has been no comment as yet from Buckingham Palace on the impending birth or from Clarence House where Harry’s father the Prince of Wales resides.
Doria Ragland has already flown into the UK from her home in Los Angeles to be at her only daughter’s side.
The Sussexes recently launched their own Instagram account @sussexroyal, where it is widely expected they will share the first picture of the baby.
Traditionally, royal births were announced via a public notice outside the royal residence in which the child was born, which would give updates on how the mother and baby were doing. After Prince Charles was born, the sign read: “Her Royal Highness, the Princess Elizabeth, has had a good night and is making satisfactory progress.”
In response to the grassroots #globalsussexbabyshower event, where children around the world sent their best wishes to the couple and baby to be, the Sussexes wrote on Instagram: ″[We] are immensely grateful for the outpouring of love and support in anticipation of the birth of their first child.
“The Duke and Duchess remain appreciative for your warm wishes and kindness during this especially happy time in their lives! Thank you for sharing the love ❤️”