EXCLUSIVE: With the birth of the royal baby mere days away, we spoke to a BBC cameraman to find out exactly how we'll be told details of Kate Middleton's newborn
The royal baby is expected to arrive any day now and the world's press are putting every preparation in place to ensure that they're ready to go live with news coverage at a moment's notice. We've spoken exclusively to BBC cameraman Tony Dolce, who today is stationed within the Buckingham Palace forecourt waiting for the all-important easel to be erected outside announcing the baby's sex, weight and time of birth.
He says: 'When we hear that the Duchess of Cambridge has left for the hospital, a journalist will be sent over to St Mary's in Paddington to present in front of the camera outside and will go live straightaway.'
Don't expect to see Kate Middleton arrive at the hospital, though. There is more than one entrance into the building and the Duchess may want to avoid the massed ranks of the media at the front door of the Lindo Wing.
Tony Dolce (pictured) has spent the entire week on the 5am shifts outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, waiting for news of Kate Middleton going into labour. He tells us: 'An area was marked outside St Mary's Hospital for us last Monday, 1 July, and my job has been to stay there to do live coverage. I have a special piece of equipment – about the size of a backpack – which enables me to go live on air as soon as we get the go-ahead from the BBC.
He's now been moved to the incredibly exciting Buckingham Palace shift to wait for the golden easel and the notice about the royal baby's arrival.
The Duchess is currently staying at Kensington Palace, where she's said to be taking private yoga lessons. Prince William, meanwhile, has the Queen's helicopter on standby outside his and Kate's home in Anglesey, so he can avoid any traffic and fly to London as soon as he hears news of Kate's contractions.
When Kate has been admitted, Prince William is there, and the baby arrives safely, a document signed by a medical professional will be driven to Buckingham Palace and erected outside within thirty minutes of its birth.
Tony says: 'We'll be set up to film this, even it if happens during the night. The notice will announce the sex, weight and the time of birth.'
Tony is one of only three film crews in the world to be stationed within the Buckingham Palace grounds and has to be ready within minutes to film the royal announcement being posted. He will begin filming as soon as the car pulls up to the Palace.
Once carefully positioned, Tony will be allowed to zoom in on the notice – revealing to the world for the VERY first time, what sex the baby is. We'll then be shown the reaction from the crowds who have gathered outside the Palace. How exciting!
There are currently 25 camera crews and 75 photographers stationed outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, so prepare to see plenty of news reports once we hear of Kate's admittance.
As long as Kate and the royal baby are well, they'll leave St Mary's Hospital, posing for pictures with their newborn for the very first time, before heading off to their new home at Kensington Palace.
We'll bring you breaking royal baby updates as soon as we hear from the BBC. Good luck, Kate!
Follow Tony Dolce's updates on the royal baby at @TonyD9999.
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