Pregnant Kate 'Continuing To Feel Better'

Kate Pregnant: Duchess Remains In Hospital.

The Duchess of Cambridge is "continuing to feel better" and she and the Duke are immensely grateful for the good wishes they have received, St James's Palace has said.

The statement from the Palace came shortly after the Duke of Cambridge left the private hospital where Kate has spent a second night being treated for a severe form of morning sickness after revealing her pregnancy on Monday.

William spent most of Tuesday at the bedside of his wife, who is likely to be on a drip so she can receive fluids intravenously to combat the effects of dehydration caused by the condition known as hyperemesis gravidarum.


Her illness could indicate she is having twins as mothers carrying two babies have a greater chance of developing the severe morning sickness.

Kate was admitted to hospital on Monday after developing the condition that can leave patients feeling tired, dizzy and suffering from headaches - all signs of dehydration.

But it now appears she is responding to treatment and is likely to be having less severe bouts of morning sickness.
The Palace spokesman added: "She will remain in hospital at present and will continue to be treated for hyperemesis gravidarum."

The Queen's former gynaecologist Marcus Setchell, who delivered the Countess of Wessex's two children, is reported to be treating her.

Kate's diary of engagements for this week have been cancelled to allow for the extensive rest she will need when she is discharged.

The prolonged vomiting could continue for much of her pregnancy - which is still below 12 weeks - and she may need to take anti-sickness medication for months to come.

William spent more than six hours with his wife at the Edward VII hospital in central London and left in the early evening looking relaxed, smiling at the waiting reporters and photographers. He offered no comment on entering or exiting the building.

The royal couple are likely to be cheered by news from the Government that legislation to ensure their baby becomes monarch - whether it is a boy or a girl - is to be introduced as "rapidly" as possible.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said it is "a wonderful coincidence" that the 15 nations where the Queen is head of state gave their final consent for the Government to press ahead with a landmark Bill to end the centuries-old discrimination against royal women at the same time as Kate's pregnancy was announced.

Mr Clegg tweeted: "Whether the Duke and Duchess' baby is a boy or a girl, they will have an equal claim to the throne."

Moves towards constitutional change gathered pace in the wake of the Duke and Duchess's wedding in April 2011 in anticipation they would produce an offspring.

The child will be third in line to the throne, after Prince Charles and Prince William.
While there remains concern for the royal couple, there is much excitement across the UK and beyond at the prospect of a royal baby.

Messages of support have been sent from leading figures both at home and abroad, and massed ranks of the world's media have been camped out on the pavement outside the London hospital since the news was announced.

The Prime Minister was among the first to congratulate the royal couple on Twitter. "I'm delighted ... They will make wonderful parents," David Cameron said.

Labour leader Ed Miliband tweeted: "A royal baby is something the whole nation will celebrate."

Julia Gillard, prime minister of Australia, called it "delightful news" and Jay Carney, press secretary to US president Barack Obama, said: "On behalf of everyone here in the White House, beginning with the President and the First Lady, we extend our congratulations."

Thomas Misrachi, a journalist with BFM TV in France, is among the media throng outside the hospital. On Monday he immediately booked the Eurostar from Paris.

He told Sky News: "Their wedding was huge news in France and news of a baby is just the same.
"Your royal family still has a certain magic - it is unusual for us because we don't have a royal family."

St James's Palace would not say when the royal couple became aware of the pregnancy - only that it was "recently".

It is understood the rest of the royal family were told about the pregnancy only a few hours before the rest of the world.

The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and Kate's family are said to be "delighted".

:: Bookmaker William Hill said the favourite names so far are Frances and John, both at 9/1, while Charles, Victoria and George are 10/1.