Duchess of Cambridge expecting third child

World
Europe

Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, is expecting her third child, Kensington Palace officials announced on Monday.

The palace said the Duchess had to cancel an engagement for later that day as she was feeling unwell.

Kensington Palace announced the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting their third child on its official Twitter account. /Screenshot

As with her previous two pregnancies, she is suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, or acute morning sickness.

However, the sickness failed to dampen the buoyant mood among the royals. Prince Harry, who will now be bumped down in the line of succession, was overjoyed, describing the news as “fantastic,” and offering a thumb’s up while on a visit to Manchester.

Asked how the Duchess was, he said, “I haven’t seen her for a while but I think she’s OK.”

Prime Minister Theresa May tweeted her congratulations to the couple, saying, "This is fantastic news."

UK Prime Minister Theresa May tweeted her congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. /Screenshot

No details were immediately available about when the third baby is due, though the Duchess is said to be less than 12 weeks pregnant.

That would put the due date somewhere between mid-March and mid-June.

William and Kate, both 35, already have two children, Prince George, 4, and Princess Charlotte, 2.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte are on their way to board a plane in Hamburg, Germany, July 21, 2017. /AP Photo

The baby will be fifth in line to the throne behind Charlotte, pushing Prince Harry down to the sixth place.

A change in law in 2015 gives women equal access to the throne as men after William and Kate wed.

The expected child will become Queen Elizabeth's sixth great-grandchild.

Source(s): AP