Royal baby watch reaches fever pitch around London's St. Mary's Hospital

Photographers, security officials and British royalty enthusiasts have swarmed to St. Mary's Hospital in London, where Kate Middleton is expected to give birth any day now.

According to ABC News, St. Mary's Hospital, situated in London's Paddington neighborhood, has been given a final security sweep. The duchess of Cambridge recently visited the hospital's "state-of-the-art" Lindo wing for a final check-up.

Meanwhile, reporters and well-wishers from around the world are camping out near the historic hospital in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the expectant parents on their way to the birth.

Hello Magazine said last week that St. Mary's has stationed a media pen on the other side of the road as the hospital's entrance. Police have also erected steel barriers to prevent anyone from getting too close to the building or the royal couple.

Royal officials will follow a strict protocol announcing the birth of the child:

When Baby Cambridge is born, a royal official will appear at the entrance of the Lindo Wing with an envelope bearing the details of the baby, and will give the official announcement.

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The envelope will then be handed to a royal messenger, bound for Buckingham Palace, and the statement will be displayed in the palace's forecourt for the public to see.

Here's a few photos and dispatches from the ground:

"An epic amount of police around Paddington/St Mary's hospital at the moment. Royal baby must be ready to drop soon," one Twitter user said Monday.

Waiting for a Royal Baby. (@ St. Mary's Hospital) http://t.co/5CxPNUzSYL

— mark patterson (@happymarkie) July 8, 2013

Some humour for #NBC news crews gathered at St. Mary's Hospital, where Kate is expected to give birth. pic.twitter.com/oGaB8D0ylg

— Ellen Mauro (@EMauroCBC) July 8, 2013

Buzz builds in London ahead of the royal birth. This is the view outside The Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital. pic.twitter.com/WwLWo4fwrl

— ET Canada (@ETCanada) July 3, 2013

This was the moment we surprised the world's press at St Mary's Hospital with a visit from "The Queen". pic.twitter.com/m2llDm1KiM

— Coral (@Coral) July 3, 2013

Deputy Ed Jo on #royalbaby watch #katemiddleton @ St. Mary's Hospital http://t.co/qLIyLlZ84k

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— Mother&Baby (@MotherAndBaby) July 3, 2013

Media perched outside our hospital St Mary's hospital waiting for Kate Middleton to give birth #RoyalBaby pic.twitter.com/xyZqjAFDOX

— Dorcas Gwata (@zambezi40) July 4, 2013

C'est déjà la folie devant le St Mary's hospital où va accoucher Kate Middleton... #royalbaby #Londres pic.twitter.com/Uv37LIu61o

— Juliette Dekeyser (@JulietteDk) July 3, 2013