Another royal baby is on the way! It has been announced that Prince William and Kate Middleton will be expecting their third child.
In a statement issued by Kensington Palace the Queen and members of both families were said to be “delighted with the news”.
Royal Baby
The announcement comes just months after the Duchess joked about having more children during a royal tour of Poland. The joke came after a well-wisher offered her a toy designed to pacify babies. After offering her thanks she jokingly responded “We will just have to have more babies.”
Line to the throne
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, both 35, already have two children, Prince George, aged 4, and Princess Charlotte, aged two. This third child will now be fifth in line to the throne.
Previously, a male child would take precedence over female siblings under former rules of primogeniture. However, changes to the law in 2015 mean Princess Charlotte will still be fourth in line to succeed the throne.
Hyperemesis Gravidarum
As with her previous pregnancies, the Duchess is suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum, an extreme form of nausea brought on by pregnancy. The condition can cause dehydration, low blood pressure and weight loss. Unlike regular morning sickness, it can carry on beyond the initial 14-20 weeks of pregnancy.
The duchess’ engagements for today have been cancelled so that she can rest.
Excitement
News of the new addition has led to positive messages from around the world. People, including the Prime Minister, have taken to Twitter to offer their congratulations to the royal couple.
It isn’t just the royalists who will be happy. Coral bookmakers had seen a rise in bets being made on the couple announcing a pregnancy this year. It would seem that betters across the UK saw it coming.
Speculation on gender, possibile baby names and due date have already started.
No details on a due date have been provided yet.
