Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge is set to give birth to her second child next month and while it feels like there's less circus around this royal baby, security authorities are reportedly gearing up to deal with "high risk," fanatics who may be attracted by the arrival of another royal.
We all remember the scenes outside the Lido Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London when Prince George was born in July 2013, but it's not just the world's media and well-wishers that the spectacle attracts, according to former head of royal protection at the Met Police. Dai Davies has told The Mirror that events such as a royal birth, a private event that has been so publicly followed, will increase the danger from stalkers who can become fixated on the pregnant Duchess and her new born baby.
“They give rise to a greater likelihood of an incident. If you look back through history the greatest threat to the Royal family apart from the IRA has been fixated individuals," he told the paper.
The pregnant Duchess at a charity event last month (FameFlynetUK)
“Prevention is one of the key areas because in about 70% of cases where there have been attacks, the fixated person has indicated before the incident that they are going to do something."
According to the report in an effort to minimise the dangers that stalkers pose, "welfare and medication checks," are being carried out by officers and psychiatric nurses of a specially trained Fixated Threat Assessment Centre on the most "high risk," threats ahead of the birth next month as well as identifying potential fanatics online.
The FTAC works to investigate potential threats to VIPs at such a level. The safety of the Duchess, her new baby and Prince William will be of paramount importance to the MET police and Kensington Palace during the arrival of the couple's second child. The palace has already been strict when it comes to paparazzo following Prince George as he goes about his daily routine.
Last Autumn several photographers were given restraining orders for harassing the youngster and his nanny while visiting a London park. A statement issued by the palace at the time said: "An incident last week has prompted Their Royal Highnesses to seek reasonable assurances from the individual about his behaviour. The individual was spotted at a central London Park in the vicinity of Prince George, who was removed from the Park immediately. There is reason to suspect that the individual may have been placing Prince George under surveillance and monitoring his daily routines for a period of time.
"The Duke and Duchess understand the particular public role that Prince George will one day inherit but while he is young, he must be permitted to lead as ordinary a life as possible. No parent would tolerate the suspicion of someone pursuing and harassing their child and carer whilst their child is playing in a public park or going about their daily activities."
