Kate Middleton pregnant: Duchess of Cambridge is expecting first child

Kate Middleton is expecting a baby, St James's Palace has announced

Kate Middleton is pregnant with her first child, St James's Palace has announced.

The Palace has confirmed that the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William are expecting their first child.

'Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting a baby,' the palace said in a statement today. '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.'

Pregnant Kate was admitted this afternoon to the King Edward VII Hospital in central London with acute morning sickness and is expected to stay in hospital for several days.

'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,' the statement said.

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It's thought that Kate and William made their own way to the hospital from Buckleberry where they spent the weekend with Kate's parents. Prince William is said to be by Kate's side.

Speculation has been building as to when Kate Middleton would become pregnant pretty much since the royal couple walked down the aisle last year, especially as one of her old school friends told the press last month that Kate was due to make an important announcement.

What's even more exciting about the news - apart from the prospect of a rocking maternity wardrobe from the Duchess - is that due to a change in the rules of succession, the royal couple's first-born will likely be the heir to the throne, regardless of whether the baby is a boy or a girl.

Prime Minister David Cameron has already sent his congratulations, he wrote on Twitter: 'I'm delighted by the news that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting a baby.’

Prince William married Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey in April 2011.

What are your thoughts on the news that Kate Middleton is pregnant? Are you excited? Let us know what you think in the comment box below.

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