Pregnant Kate will join tour to Scandinavia

THE Duchess of Cambridge will carry on her royal duties into 2018, despite being at least six months pregnant, by joining her husband Prince William on a tour of Scandinavia.

Kensington Palace said the couple had been asked to undertake the visit to Norway and Sweden on behalf of the Foreign Office.

The announcement came after it was revealed that the Duchess is expecting her third child in April. Kensington Palace said the Duke and Duchess were “delighted” to confirm the month their third child is due.

Kate is known to suffer from a severe form of morning sickness. Soon after the news of the latest royal pregnancy was revealed last month, Prince William said there was “not much sleep”, as his wife struggled to cope with severe morning sickness.

The new baby is expected to arrive before Princess Charlotte turns three on May 2. Unless she chooses a home birth, the Duchess is expected to give birth at the private Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, as she did with both George and Charlotte.

The new baby will be fifth in line to the throne. The birth could coincide with the Queen’s actual birthday, on April 21, when the monarch will be 92.

Meanwhile, a BBC news presenter yesterday appeared underwhelmed by the news as he reported the Duchess’s due date. Simon Mccoy said: “Now, bearing in mind that they announced that she was pregnant back in September and it was thought that she was around two or three months pregnant, I’m not sure how much news this really is.”

He added: “But anyway it’s April so clear your diaries, get the time booked off – because that’s what I’m doing.”