The end of the Great Kate Wait 3.0 is in sight with news that the Duchess of Cambridge has been admitted to hospital in labour.

Press pens for journalists, photographers and camera crews have been opened up in front of the private Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, central London, to allow the world’s media to report on the impending royal birth.

2013: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leave the Lindo Wing with Prince George (Steve Parsons/PA)
2013: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leave the Lindo Wing with Prince George (Steve Parsons/PA)

After Prince George was born in July 2013, William and Kate were keen to avoid a repeat of the media circus surrounding his arrival.

Scores of press were camped outside the Lindo in the weeks leading up to the big day, as the media enduring scorching temperatures during a summer heatwave.

The scene outside the Lindo Wing during a heatwave in 2013 (Sean Dempsey/PA)
The scene outside the Lindo Wing during the heatwave in 2013 (Sean Dempsey/PA)
Ladders in the press pen opposite the Lindo Wing in 2013 (Yui Mok/PA)
Ladders in the press pen opposite the Lindo Wing in 2013 (Yui Mok/PA)

With the birth of Princess Charlotte in 2015, press pens were only opened outside the hospital after Kate was admitted in labour, and the plans were the same this time around.

Royal fans Margaret Tyler and Terry Hutt waiting outside the hospital for the birth of Princess Charlotte in 2015 (Yui Mok/PA)
Royal fans Margaret Tyler and Terry Hutt waiting outside the hospital for the birth of Princess Charlotte in 2015 (Yui Mok/PA)

Kate went on maternity leave on March 22 and parking restrictions notices and barriers were put in place in front of the Lindo Wing on April 9.

Photographers have had their camera bags packed and ladders at the ready since then, waiting for the announcement that Kate had been admitted.