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Kate Middleton Baby Frenzy Begins: Press Camps Out Near St. Mary’s Hospital

Kate Middleton
Photographers and other members of the press started setting up camp outside St. Mary's hospital on July 1 in anticipation of Kate Middleton's labor and the birth of the royal baby.

Kate Middleton‘s July 11 due date is still almost two weeks away, but the royal baby frenzy is already well under way outside St. Mary’s Hospital in London, where the Duchess of Cambridge is expected to give birth. Photographers and other members of the media started setting up camp across the street from the hospital on Monday, July 1, in anticipation of the headline- and history-making delivery.

Related: PHOTOS: Kate Middleton's royal baby style

Pictures of the press corp show them milling about on the sidewalk behind a row of cameras lining the curb. Additionally, an eyewitness tells Us Weekly that a bay of parking spaces outside the hospital has been closed off with signs saying it’s reserved for an “event” spanning July 1 to July 31.

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THE WORLDS MEDIA STARTS TO GATHER AT ST MARYS HOSPITAL IN PREPERATION OF KATE THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGES LABOUR!! BARRIERS WERE ALSO SEEN BEING PUT OUT FOR THE PRESS PEN! 1 July 2013 – LONDON – UK

Related: PHOTOS: Royal pregnancies

Middleton, 31, is due to give birth to her first child with Prince William on July 11, but as she herself noted in April, “babies have their own agenda.” Should she go into labor early, a helicopter will fly her to St. Mary’s, where she hopes to give birth naturally, a source revealed to Us Weekly.

In any case, news of the royal baby’s birth will be revealed via a framed announcement placed on a wood and gold easel behind the gates of Buckingham Palace. “There will be gun salutes, flag flying, and bell pealing,” a palace aide told Us. “It’s very exciting.”

Related: PHOTOS: Kate's childhood album

The aide also promised that the royal couple would pose for pictures with their newborn when they leave the hospital.

“While it is a deeply personal and private event, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge realize this is a time of national celebration and that there will be vast interest in the baby,” a source told Us in June. “They realize many people will want to share in their happiness.”

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