Kate Middleton Baby: New Pictures Show True Extent Of Media Preparation

The Duchess of Cambridge and the royal baby bump will be met by hoards of photographers outside St Mary's Hospital next week

Kate Middleton's baby will have quite the welcome when it arrives next week.

As we entered the month of the royal heir's due date on Monday, hoards of photographers began to set up camp outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, where he or she will be delivered. And new pictures today show the true extent of the media's preparation for the arrival of the Duchess of Cambridge's first born.

Each picture agency or news outlet has gone to the effort of sticking branded tape to the ground in order to secure the best possible spot to capture pictures of Kate Middleton arriving at the hospital, and posing with her newborn.

The teams of paps and reporters have also set up ladders, cordoning off the entire outside space of the Paddington-based hospital, while police are already patrolling outside its entrance.

On Monday, it was revealed that parking bays outside the hospital had been reserved for the Duchess of Cambridge and her entourage, so she can arrive for the labour quickly and efficiently. How exciting!

Although unconfirmed by Clarence House, it's being reported that the Duchess of Cambridge's due date is 13 July. It's likely we'll know when she goes into labour, but there will be no official royal announcement made until the baby is actually born.

A medical document confirming the sex of the baby will be driven from St Mary's Hospital to Buckingham Palace, where the Queen will be told. The Middleton family will be informed at the same time.

The document will then be posted on an easel outside the Palace, in keeping with royal tradition and Clarence House will post a message to Twitter, before Kate Middleton, Prince William and the royal baby pose outside the hospital with their newborn, just as Princess Diana did at the very same doorway with a baby Wills back in 1982.

We'll bring you all the royal baby news as soon as it lands. Watch this space!

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