Prince William's wife Kate in labor

LONDON - The Associated Press

In this Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012 file photo Britain's Prince William stands next to his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge as she leaves the King Edward VII hospital in central London. AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File

Palace officials say Prince William's wife, Kate, has been admitted to the hospital in the early stages of labor.

Royal officials said that Kate travelled by car to St. Mary's Hospital in central London. Kate - also known as the Duchess of Cambridge - is expected to give birth in the private Lindo Wing of the hospital, where Princess Diana gave birth to William and his younger brother, Prince Harry.

The baby will be third in line for the British throne - behind Prince Charles and William - and is anticipated eventually to become king or queen.

The medical team will be led by royal gynecologist Dr. Marcus Setchell.

The child will be the first for William and Kate, who married in 2011 after a long courtship.