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Getty Images/UK Press via Getty Images - CAMBRIDGE, CAMBRIDGESHIRE - NOVEMBER 28: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge make an official visit to The Guildhall on November 28,
ABC News' Christina Ng and Carolyn Durand
report:
Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton are expecting their first child, the palace announced today.
Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton are expecting their first child, the palace announced today.
"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."
The duchess was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital today in central London
with hyperemesis gravidarum, an acute morning sickness which requires
supplementary hydration and nutrients, the palace said. "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.
The baby will be the queen's third great-grandchild.
Robert Lacey, author of the definitive book "Majesty"
said, "The British public and indeed the whole world will be delighted for the
same, it keeps the monarchy going. The royal wedding brought a magic back to the
monarchy and people are fascinated by William and Catherine."
The announcement follows relentless public
and media speculation about when Prince William and his wife would have an
heir. The guessing game began almost immediately after the couple said, "I do."
VOTE: What Should They Name the Baby?
Tabloids began snapping close-ups of Middleton's stomach for any indication
of a baby bump. Baby rumors abounded when the duchess held a baby at a press
event and when she declined peanut butter at another event. British physicians
are known to warn women against eating peanuts during pregnancy. When the couple
got a dog, Lupo, headlines wondered if they were practicing for another addition
to the family. VOTE: What Should They Name the Baby?
The palace, which rarely comments on speculation, took the unusual step of saying, "We would be the ones to make the announcement, not Hollywood."
"It is quite strange reading about it, but
I try not to let it bother me," Prince William said in an interview with
ABC News' Katie Couric in May
2012. "I'm just very keen to have a family and both Catherine and I are looking
forward to having a family in the future."
Asked by Couric if there was anything else he wanted to share, he coyly
answered, "You won't get anything out of me. Tight lipped." Due to a dramatic change in the rules of succession, the royal couple's first-born will likely be the heir to the throne, regardless of the baby's gender.
Last year, the heads of 16 Commonwealth countries agreed to a change in the rules of succession so that first-born children of either gender can take the throne. Queen Elizabeth II was only eligible to be monarch because her father had no male children. The British Parliament must still amend existing law to make the succession change official.
"Put simply, if the Duke and Duchess of
Cambridge were to have a little girl, that girl would one day be our
queen," British Prime Minister David Cameron told reporters in 2011.
Royal babies have typically been born
within one year of marriage. Princess
Diana gave birth to William just 11 months after her wedding and the
queen gave birth to Prince
Charles six days before her first wedding anniversary.
PHOTOS: Royal Heirs Around the World
Prince William and Kate were married on April 29, 2011. PHOTOS: Royal Heirs Around the World
William, who has long been known for making privacy a priority, will now be faced with the inevitable fascination with his first child. And the scrutiny will doubtless be familiar to him.
From his infant trip to Australia with his mother to his graduation from St. Andrews University, William's life was filled with photo ops.
"We have a paradox here. William loathes the press and exposure to the publicity. On the other hand, Diana exposed both sons at an early age. They are immensely assured young men," Lacey said. "While he may want to keep his children out the limelight, as a modern monarch he knows he has to deal with the media."
PHOTOS: William and Kate: The College Years
Now, the name guessing game begins.
"They'll stick to traditional names," Lacey predicts. "William has a great sense of history from working with his grandmother. The queen would have him over for tea to teach him about history and the workings of the monarchy."
It's typical for royals to have three or
four names. Prince
William's full name is William
Arthur Philip Louis.
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