Duke and Duchess of Cambridge 'delighted' to be expecting first baby - but nervous as Catherine is taken to hospital with acute morning sickness

Watching on: The waiting media outside King Edward VII Hospital in central London where the Duchess of Cambridge has been admitted following the announcement that she is expecting a baby

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are having a baby, it was announced today.

Catherine, 30, was this afternoon taken to King Edward VII Hospital in central London with acute morning sickness and is expected to be kept in for several days. She was admitted only as a precautionary measure.

In a statement on their website, the couple said they are 'delighted with the news'.


Royal sources said the couple are happy but nervous because the pregnancy is in its very early stages and added it would not have been announced at this time had it not been for the fact that she had been taken to hospital.

MailOnline understands that members of both the Royal Family - including the Queen - were only told about the pregnancy this afternoon after the decision was made to admit Kate to hospital. The Middletons were, however, already aware given her condition 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 William finally took the decision, after consulting his doctor, to get her to hospital this afternoon.

He drove his wife into London from Berkshire with their personal protection officers, declining the offer of an ambulance in favour of using their own, more low-key car.

It is understood that Kate walked in and was in good spirits despite her ill health. Prince William is currently at his wife’s bedside and will remain there until later this evening.

Sources suggested that the Duchess was hooked up to an intravenous drip to increase her fluid and nutrient levels.