A THIRD ROYAL BABY ON THE WAY
Prince William's wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, is pregnant with her third child. The new baby will be fifth in line to the British throne.
"Their royal highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that the Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their third child," Kensington Palace announced Monday. "The Queen and members of both families are delighted with the news."
The duchess, though, is suffering from severe morning sickness.
Hyperemesis gravidarum is estimated to affect about one to three percent of pregnant women and can result in nausea and vomiting so acute that hospitalization is required. It is thought to be caused by pregnancy hormones, but doctors aren't sure why some women experience worse symptoms than others.
Kensington Palace made the pregnancy announcement Monday, saying the duchess was not feeling well enough to attend an official engagement later in the day. Kate is being cared for at her Kensington Palace home in London. There was no word of when the baby is due.
She and Prince William already have two children: Prince George, four, and Princess Charlotte, two.
In 2012, Kate was hospitalized for several days when she was believed to be suffering from dehydration.
When children, Prince William and Prince Harry had often been chided as the "royal heir" and the "royal spare," respectively. But having a larger family might take the pressure off the children in the succession stakes. Changes to the rules of succession mean that male siblings aren't allowed to jump ahead of their older sisters, so Princess Charlotte's place in the line will not be affected.
The order now is as follows: Prince Charles is first in line, followed by Prince William, who is second, and then Prince George, who is third, and Princess Charlotte, who is fourth.
As a great-grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, the new arrival will be fifth in line to the throne, bumping uncle, Prince Harry, out of the top five.
Though Harry is pushed down the line of accession, this may not be unwelcome news. Harry suggested earlier this year that no one really strives to be the monarch, but carries the role out of a sense of duty to the nation.