The Great Kate Wait is (almost) over. The Duchess of Cambridge was admitted to St. Mary’s Hospital in London in the early stages of labor this morning, Kensington Palace officials announced around 2:30amET.
CNN was the first cable news channel to report the news, simulcasting CNN International beginning at 2:38 a.m. Robert Gray anchored a special report on Fox News at 2:42 a.m. MSNBC reported the news on “First Look” at the top of the 5 a.m. hour.
Diana Perez and John Muller reported on the royal baby at 2:37 a.m. on ABC News’ “World News Now.” The story also led NBC’s “Today,” ABC’s “Good Morning America” and “CBS This Morning.” Natalie Morales reported from St. Mary’s for NBC. Amy Robach was there for ABC and Elizabeth Palmer was there for CBS.
The networks also have reporters at Buckingham Palace, where the birth announcement will be posted on an easel in public view. The document will be the first official notification of the baby’s gender, weight and time of birth.
The morning show anchors, who have few details to report at this hour, joked on Twitter about the Royal Baby:
Today’s forecast: @alroker predicts 100 percent chance of a #royalbaby
— Savannah Guthrie (@SavannahGuthrie) July 22, 2013
Wait…Kate’s pregnant? Hadn’t heard.
— Lara Spencer (@LaraSpencer) July 22, 2013