The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting their third child – but were forced to tell the world early today after Kate was again been struck down with severe morning sickness.
The Duchess, 35, who is believed to be between eight and 12 weeks pregnant, battled Hyperemesis Gravidarum during her first two pregnancies and was hospitalised when expecting George in 2012.
Today she was forced to miss her planned engagement at the Hornsey Road Children’s Centre in London , and is being cared for at home at Kensington Palace.
The happy news that George, four, and Charlotte, two, will have a new sibling next April or May came later in a statement, which said:
‘Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their third child’.
The Queen, Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and other members of both families are delighted with the news, and the child will be born fifth in line to the throne, bumping uncle Prince Harry out of the top five and into sixth place.
In July Kate hinted at a third child on a royal tour of Poland with her family. She was given a Whisbear cuddly toy meant for a newborn and said to William, laughing: ‘We will just have to have more babies’.
The Prince of Wales is first in line, followed by William, Prince George and the couple’s daughter Princess Charlotte, who is two.
It is extremely unusual for the Duchess to cancel public engagements – she was pregnant and sick on the last few occasions.
Hyperemesis gravidarum is common, affecting around 15 per cent of all pregnancies. However in its extreme form – where a pregnant woman is admitted to hospital or suffers the condition throughout her pregnancy – it is much more rare.
Via Daily Mail
