Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middeton's acute morning sickness and already-showing baby bump has many speculating that she may be pregnant with not one, but two babies.
On September 8, Kensington Palace confirmed that Prince William and the Princess, who are already parents to one-year-old George, are indeed expecting another baby.
"Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their second child," said the official announcement.
Although only a few weeks pregnant, Princess Kate is already sporting a baby bump--arousing the suspicion of many.
"It seems like every time a member of the Royal Family...gets pregnant, rumors begin swirling that they are expecting twins. But, this time there may actually be some merit to those rumors. Kate was already spotted out and about with a baby bump, which is strange since she is reportedly only ten weeks pregnant. Generally you can't tell someone is even expecting when they are 8-10 weeks pregnant, unless they are expecting twins," writes Amanda Austin of Celebrity Dirty Laundry.
Many commentators said they expect the royal baby, who will be fourth in line to the throne, to be born in the spring next year, reports the Washington Post.
In the meantime, Kensington Palace is ensuring Princess Kate's safety and comfort, as she once again struggles with the "effects of Hyperemesis Gravidarum," or a severe form of morning sickness,
"As with her first pregnancy, The Duchess is suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum. Her Royal Highness will no longer accompany The Duke of Cambridge on their planned engagement in Oxford today."
"The Duchess is being treated by doctors at Kensington Palace."
When she was carrying Prince George, she was admitted to the hospital suffering from the same illness before she was eight weeks along, People Magazine reports
Others who have experienced the illness say the emotions of being pregnant can be "bittersweet." Caitlin Dean of the charity Pregnancy Sickness Support, who has suffered from the condition with each of her three pregnancies, said it's "really, really hard. You're happy to be pregnant, but at the same time you know you've got weeks or months of sickness ahead of you. It's really bittersweet."
Kate also won't make it to Malta later this month on what was to be her first overseas trip without her husband, reports Elle Magazine.
"She's feeling okay, thanks. It's been a tricky few days - a week or so - but obviously we're basically thrilled. It's great news, early days," Prince William told reporters during a visit to Oxford University to open a new center dedicated to the study of China. "But I'm hoping things settle down and she feels a bit better."
