Britain's Prince William, left, and his wife Kate, the
Duchess of Cambridge, are expecting their first child.
Get the nursery ready: Britain's royal family announced
today that Prince William and his wife are expecting their first child.
St. James's Palace said today that the Duchess of Cambridge
- formerly known as Kate Middleton - has a severe form of morning sickness and
is currently in a London hospital.
The palace said that since the pregnancy is in its
"very early stages," the 30-year-old duchess is expected to stay in
the hospital for several days and will require a period of rest afterward.
In recent days, Middleton has kept up royal appearances -
recently playing field hockey with schoolchildren at her former school.
The confirmation of her pregnancy - following intense
speculation ever since their lavish Westminster Abbey wedding last year - was
greeted with congratulations.
Prime Minister David Cameron wrote on Twitter that he was
"delighted by the news," saying the royals "will make wonderful
parents."
Not only are the attractive young couple popular - with
William's easy common touch reminding many of his mother, the late Princess Diana
- but their child is expected to play an important role in British national
life for decades to come.
As the first-born to William - who is second in line for the
throne after his father, Prince Charles - the couple's child stands an
excellent chance of one day becoming monarch.
Whether boy or girl, the child will be next in line behind
William in the line of succession to the throne, Cabinet Office officials have
said.
Leaders of Britain and the 15 former colonies that have the
monarch as their head of state agreed in 2011 to new rules which give females
equal status with males in the order of succession.
Although none of the nations had legislated to make the
change as of September 2012, the British Cabinet Office confirmed that this is
now the de-facto rule.
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