The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton are expecting their third child, the Kensington Palace announced Monday, 4 September 2017.
The announcement came four days after the 20th anniversary of the death of Prince William’s mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, in a Paris car crash.
“Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their third child,” the statement released on Monday said.
In addition, the palace said the Queen and members of both families were delighted with the news.
The child will be a brother or sister for their first two children, Prince George, 4, and Princess Charlotte, 2.
Fifth in line
According to The New York Times, under changes adopted in 2011 by Britain and other Commonwealth countries that recognize the British monarch as their head of state, male heirs no longer receive precedence over their older sisters in the line of succession. This means that third child would be fifth in line to the British throne, after Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, and before Prince Harry.
Morning Sickness
Catherine, 34, known to many as Kate, was scheduled to attend an engagement in London on Monday but was forced to cancel due to hyperemesis gravidarum, or extreme morning sickness. The illness is known to cause severe nausea and vomiting. It was the same reason that prompted the palace to also make an early announcement when the duchess was pregnant with Prince George.
"The Duchess is being for cared for at Kensington Palace," the announcement said.
Meanwhile, Kensington Palace did not say when the Duchess of Cambridge was due to give birth.
READ: How do I cope with severe morning sickness?