Duchess ‘feeling better’ as good
wishes flood in for royal couple

The Duchess’s rare condition, which is often associated with unborn twins, has become a cause for concern as well as excitement across the UK and abroad, with messages of support and congratulations flooding in.

She was admitted to hospital on Monday after developing the condition that can leave patients feeling tired, dizzy and suffering from headaches – all signs of dehydration.

But it now appears she is responding to treatment and is likely to be having less severe bouts of morning sickness.

The Queen’s former gynaecologist Marcus Setchell, who delivered the Countess of Wessex’s two children, is treating her, according to reports.

The prolonged vomiting could continue for much of her pregnancy – which is still below 12 weeks – and she may need to take anti-sickness medication for months to come.

Her diary of engagements for this week have been cancelled to allow for the extensive rest she will need when she is discharged.

Prince William spent more than six hours with his wife at the Edward VII hospital in central London and left at 5.45pm looking relaxed, smiling at the waiting reporters and photographers.

In a statement released last night, a St James’s Palace spokesman said: “The Duchess of Cambridge is continuing to feel better.

“She and the Duke are immensely grateful for the good wishes they have received.

“She will remain in hospital at present and will continue to be treated for hyperemesis gravidarum.”

Amid continuing messsages of congratulations flooding in from around the world for the royal couple, the US president added his best wishes. Jay Carney, press secretary to Barack Obama, said: “On behalf of everyone here in the White House, beginning with the president and the first lady, we extend our congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the welcome news this morning out of London that they are expecting their first child.”

Monday’s announcement that the Duchess of Cambridge is pregnant with a future king or queen has sparked a media frenzy.

Film crews and photographers from Australia, the United States, China, Japan, Brazil and all over Europe are camping out in the upmarket Marylebone area of London outside the hospital where the Duchess is being treated, aiming to catch a glimpse of royal visitors.

Meanwhile, bookmakers have slashed the odds on the couple having twins.

Gail Johnson, midwife and teacher at the Royal College of Midwives, said increased nausea and vomiting, thought to be caused by the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin, may be an indication a mother is expecting twins.

“It’s one of the things you would ask, you would question if a woman had severe morning sickness,” she added. “You would think,‘is this woman having twins’?”

The sex of the baby is not known but whatever name the royal couple choose, it is likely to set a trend.

Elizabeth has been by far the best backed name and has been cut from 25/1 to 10/1 joint favourite alongside Victoria and George by William Hill.

News that Kate’s condition could suggest she is carrying twins has also prompted the firm to cut the price of her having two babies from 33/1 to 7/1.

The Duke and Duchess have made no secret of their desire to start a family and during a Diamond Jubilee visit to Singapore in September, Prince William revealed he would like to have two children.

Their first-born will be third in line to the throne, regardless of whether it is a boy or a girl.