Kate Middleton was on a drip at King Edward VII Hospital in central London this evening after falling ill with acute morning sickness as she is pregnant with the royal couple’s first child.
Prince William drove Kate, 30, to hospital today and spent hours at her bedside. He left tonight looking tense but sources said the duchess had been admitted as a precautionary measure. She is expected to be kept in for several days.
Sources said the royal couple are “incredibly happy but nervous” after being rushed into announcing the happy news because of Kate’s illness.
In a statement on their website, the couple said they are “delighted with the news”.
Members of the Royal Family – including the Queen – were only told about the pregnancy this afternoon after the decision was made to take Kate to hospital.
However, the Middletons were already aware their eldest daughter was expecting because she was taken ill while staying at their family home in Berkshire this weekend.
“The pregnancy is in its very early stages – the couple only found out very recently that they were expecting. But because she has been admitted to hospital and will have to stay in for a few days, they made the difficult decision to make things public,” said one.
It is understood that the Duchess began to feel ill at her parents’ home in Bucklebury, Berkshire, where the couple were spending the weekend. She was unable to keep any food or water down.
Concerned Prince William finally took the decision, after consulting his doctor, to get her to hospital this afternoon. William left his wife’s bedside at about 8:15 p.m. after ensuring she was comfortable.
William drove his wife into London from Berkshire with their personal protection officers, declining the offer of an ambulance in favor of using their own, more low-key car.
Sources suggested that the Duchess was hooked up to an intravenous drip to increase her fluid and nutrient levels.
Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a rare condition believed to affect up to two per cent of women in pregnancy and is a severe form of morning sickness.
It tends to be more common in young mothers, women who are in their first pregnancy, and those with multiple pregnancies.
