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Princess Diana's bodyguard: Royal baby will need 'best security possible'

As Prince William gets closer to becoming a father, a man who watched over him as a child says the newest royal will face certain challenges from its very first day of life.Ken Wharfe, who was Princess Diana’s bodyguard from 1987 to 1993, said that while the palace has become more open in communicating with the press in recent decades, the overwhelming global interest in the royal family – fue

As Prince William gets closer to becoming a father, a man who watched over him as a child says the newest royal will face certain challenges from its very first day of life.

Ken Wharfe, who was Princess Diana’s bodyguard from 1987 to 1993, said that while the palace has become more open in communicating with the press in recent decades, the overwhelming global interest in the royal family – fueled in part by social media – will present difficulties in offering information while insuring the safety of the newborn.

"Because of the interest, that child is going to need the best security possible," Wharfe told TODAY’s Natalie Morales in London on Saturday.

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While Duchess Kate is relatively new to public life, Prince William has been in the spotlight since his own birth. His regard for the media was developed at an early age according to Wharfe, who recalled taking a very little Prince William to his first day of school.

“Diana said, ‘William, be careful when you get to your new school because there’s going to be a lot of photographers.' And he said, under his breath, ‘I don’t like ‘tographers.’”

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Many have speculated about what Prince William and Duchess Kate will be like as parents. Wharfe, who was a constant in the lives of Princes William and Harry, thinks the new royal dad-to-be will take after his mother.

“Diana was doing what I think Kate and Will will do ... give them some normality,” said Wharfe. “The challenges for the new baby is going to be one of popularity.”

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Wharfe, however, thinks Duchess Kate will most likely try to pursue normal parenting activities. “I’m confident that within two to three weeks of their arrival back home, Kate will want to do what other young mothers do, and take the baby into the park.”

When she does, she’ll most likely be joined by a Scotland Yard security detail, and more than a few of the cell phone cameras of fans and onlookers. But even with the prospect of potential crowds, Wharfe is sure the new family will be able to enjoy their time together with a similar degree of safety Prince William and his brother enjoyed when they were young.

“Thankfully, Scotland Yard have had a well-tried and trusted group of men to insure that will continue," he said.