KATE Middleton is pregnant and expecting her first child with Prince William, it has been announced.
The Royal Family revealed the news today after the Duchess of Cambridge was taken to King Edward VII Hospital with acute morning sickness.
The Royals are said to be “delighted” that Kate is expecting a child who will be third in line to the throne.
Wills, 30, is by his wife’s side in hospital but the Royal Household would not comment on whether he travelled with her to hospital.
Kate, 30, made the journey from Bucklebury in Berkshire, where her parents Michael and Carole Middleton live, and it is thought she spent the weekend with them.
It is believed Kate’s pregnancy has not passed the 12-week point and she is expected to stay in hospital for several days.
St James’s Palace would not say when the royal couple became aware of the pregnancy only saying “recently”.
In a statement St James’s Palace said: “Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting a baby.
“The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry and members of both families are delighted with the news.”
The statement added: “The Duchess was admitted this afternoon to King Edward VII Hospital in central London with hyperemesis gravidarum.
“As the pregnancy is in its very early stages, Her Royal Highness is expected to stay in hospital for several days and will require a period of rest thereafter.”
While Labour leader Ed Miliband tweeted: “Fantastic news for Kate, William and the country. A royal baby is something the whole nation will celebrate.”
Comedian David Walliams tweeted: “Congratuwelldone William and Kate. Very happy for you both. Dx”
Only last week Kate was showing off her hockey skills at her old prep school in an Alexander McQueen frockcoat and 3in calf-length boots.
A school spokeswoman said they had “no inkling at all” that she was expecting.
She said: “Obviously everyone at St Andrew’s are delighted for them both. We’re absolutely thrilled.”
A number of incidents over recent months have pointed to Kate’s now confirmed pregnancy.
Last week, the Duke of Cambridge set tongues wagging when he accepted a romper suit gift on a visit to his namesake city.
And during the couple’s Diamond Jubilee visit to Singapore in September, Kate snubbed alcohol for water as expectant mothers are advised to avoid booze.
British bookmakers suspended betting on whether Kate will have a baby in 2013 after taking a number of large bets in recent days.
There was also much speculation that her new haircut was a distraction technique to draw attention away from her tummy.
Bet shops will be expecting flurries of flutters on what the couple will choose to call the eagerly anticipated prince or princess.
Speculation as to what they might name their first child began even before Kate and Wills were married, with predictions ranging from Mary and Matilda to Edmund and George on the Mumsnet website.
Their decision – be it traditional or unusual – will most likely set a trend for the next generation of babies.
Royal youngsters are mostly given safe, historical names passed down through the ages such as James, Edward, Charles, George, Mary and Elizabeth.
Whether boy or girl, new laws will ensure the couple’s first-born is a future monarch.