News Digest

Royal boon: Kate and William’s second child to be born in April 2015

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have confirmed that their second child is due in April next year, Kensington Palace has said. A statement from the palace said Kate is still being affected by hyperemisis gravidarum - a complication of pregnancy which causes vomiting and nausea - but is “improving”. She had to cancel a series of engagements after her pregnancy was announced on September 8 because of the condition, which she also suffered during her pregnancy with first son George.

Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to confirm they are expecting a baby in April 2015. The Duchess of Cambridge continues to be affected by hyperemesis gravidarum, but her condition is steadily improving.

Kensington Palace statement

The illness causes severe vomiting and can lead to dehydration, weight loss and a build-up of toxins in the blood or urine. It affects 3.5 out of every 1,000 pregnancies. The confirmation suggests that Kate has had her 12-week scan. The baby could therefore be due around the end of April, and could even arrive around William and Kate’s fourth wedding anniversary on 29 April. Meanwhile, Kate is expected to join her husband to officially welcome the President of Singapore Tony Tan as he begins a four-day state visit to the UK on Tuesday.