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Prince & Princess of Wales

Lindo Wing police presence ramps up as world waits for arrival of Kate to hospital

It’s the question that royal watchers have been wondering for over a week now: when will Baby Cambridge number two arrive? The answer it seems is soon, as is evident by the recent increase of police officers outside the Lindo Wing.

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As soon as the Duchess of Cambridge is admitted to St Mary’s Hospital in labour, royal protection officers and armed police will be guarding the building 24/7.

Earlier this morning, there were many sightings of royal protection and press officers outside the hospital, promoting speculation that Kate went into labour overnight.

However, at 8am, these rumours were proven untrue as the silence continued. Prince George’s new siblings arrival is now imminent, even if royal watchers have been saying that for the past week!

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, former head of royalty protection, Dai Davies, said that armed officers will also patrol the corridors of the hospital once Kate is admitted.

“The Duchess is overdue so it’s not surprising that they are there,” according to Mr Davies. “It is similar to a royal visit, when the police will be at the venue ahead of the royal family’s arrival, only in this instance they don’t know when that arrival is going to be.”

“They have to make sure the area is secure, they will have carried out sweeps inside and they will be making sure they are familiar with the geography, the entrances and exits, and what options they have if an incident arises.”

“There will be a security detail there 24/7 for as long as it takes.”

“The biggest fear would be someone from the lunatic fringe who wants to go down in history for whatever reason,” said Mr Davies. “There are no rules with people like that; it’s what that person decides to do when he wakes up that morning.”

There will be many layers of security at the hospital, with uniformed officers outside the building and other armed personnel inside. They will be tasked with guarding entrances, checking visitor’s identities, and stationed in the corridor outside the room where the Duchess will stay.

It is now thought that Kate is overdue as the parking restrictions outside the hospital expire on Thursday, meaning Kensington Palace expected the baby to be born by then.

Earlier today, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge provides hot drinks and pastries to well-wishers camped out onto the street.

If the baby does arrive today, it will coincide with the couple’s fourth wedding anniversary.

Photo Credit: James Brookes 2015