Prince Edward's wife Sophie was left in agony for 30 minutes while in labour — after a police blunder delayed her ambulance.

And the hold-up could have put the Countess of Wessex’s baby — which was four weeks premature — at risk, it was revealed last night.

Sophie, 38, was suffering increasing stomach cramps and her worried doctor ordered her personal protection officer to get immediate help.

He called the Surrey Police HQ in Guildford at 9.55pm on Saturday.

But after half an hour there was no sign of the ambulance to rush her to hospital from her Bagshot home.

By then Sophie was close to collapse.

The doctor and a security guard then both rang Surrey Ambulance — and were stunned to discover no call-out had been requested.

An ambulance was finally despatched at 10.27pm to take her the five miles to Frimley Park Hospital, Surrey. Doctors carried out immediate caesarean surgery and at 11.32pm delivered a 4lb 9oz daughter.

After a brief cuddle the baby was taken by private ambulance to a special care unit at St George’s Hospital, Tooting, South West London.

Last night a Surrey Police source said: “There’s no doubt heads will roll for this.

“There was a detailed emergency plan in place but it seems it fell at the first hurdle. The whole situation is being taken very seriously.”

Hospital sources said if there had been any further delay Sophie could have suffered complications putting the baby at risk.

A pal said: “She has been very lucky.”

An inquiry has been launched and Surrey Police apologised for any distress caused to Sophie. A spokesman said: “The duty inspector believed an ambulance had been called. We got it wrong.”

Sophie is in the intensive care unit of the NHS hospital where she gave birth. She is believed to have lost a lot of blood but is not in danger.

She is expected to join her baby, who is doing well, at St George’s at the weekend.

Her mum Mary Rhys-Jones said: “My daughter is doing well but is upset she cannot be with her baby.”

Prince Edward flew 6,000 miles home from Mauritius. He visited mother and daughter yesterday. He said: “It was thrilling to see my daughter. She is cute and cuddly — but I would say that.”

The new royal baby is eighth in line to the throne.

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