Kate’s second pregnancy
After weeks of rumours the Duchess of Cambridge’s pregnancy was confirmed on 8 September. The official statement was released by Clarence House and via twitter. “Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that the Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their second child. The Queen and members of both families are delighted with the news. As with her first pregnancy, the Duchess is suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum. Her Royal Highness will no longer accompany the Duke of Cambridge on their planned engagement in Oxford today. The Duchess of Cambridge is being treated by doctors at Kensington Palace.”
It was the recurrence of morning sickness (Hyperemesis Gravidarum) that brought the announcement forward. Kate had been forced to cancel a joint engagement with William in Oxford on Monday afternoon when TRH were scheduled to open the Dickson Poon University of Oxford China Centre Building at Oxford University. A Palace spokesman said: “She is at home being looked after by the surgeon gynaecologist to the Queen, Alan Farthing, and the surgeon gynaecologist to the royal household, Guy Thorpe-Beeston.” Kate’s future engagements will be assessed on a “case by case” basis, which means there is some doubt that she will be able to make her first solo overseas tour to Malta, planned to start on 20 September.