Royal Baby Media Coverage: News Networks Go Wild Over Kate Middleton Going Into Labor

The day is finally here! Kate Middleton went into labor early Monday morning, sending news networks, on watch for weeks, into a tizzy.

The duchess checked into the private Lindo wing of St. Mary's Hospital around 6:00 a.m., the same location where Princess Diana gave birth to Prince William and Price Harry. The palace released an official statement on the latest development:

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge has been admitted this morning to St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington, London in the early stages of labour. The Duchess traveled by car from Kensington Palace to the Lindo Wing at St. Mary's Hospital with The Duke of Cambridge.

The world's media has been stationed outside St. Mary's hospital for weeks anticipating the birth of the royal baby. The "Today" show's Natalie Morales, who jokingly begged Kate to have her baby last week, said the press scene outside St. Mary's Hospital had become quite the tourist destination.

The Associated Press reported that journalists outside the hospital "filed updates in a dozen languages outside the Lindo Wing, although no news has emerged since Kate was admitted early Monday. Tourists photographed the plain, 5-story brick building, its front door flanked by four police officers, and snapped the scurrying, coffee-swilling photographers and journalists."

The broadcast morning shows kicked off their programs with news of the royal labor. "Today could be the day," Norah O'Donnell said on "CBS This Morning." A "door camera" has been set up outside St. Mary's Hospital. Viewers at home can watch the live feed on multiple news network's websites, as the press watches for announcements and visitors.

The royal baby media frenzy kicked into high gear last week, when many outlets expected Kate to go into labor. Her alleged due date came and went as news teams remained outside St. Mary's Hospital. Even though Middleton has gone into labor, the wait is still far from over. Though the gender of the royal heir is still unknown, those placing bets on the subject have overwhelmingly favored the duchess giving birth to a princess.