Duchess to miss UK premiere of Hobbit

Kate is suffering from the condition known as hyperemesis gravidarum which leaves expectant mothers with constant nausea and regular vomiting.

A St James’s Palace spokesman said the Duke of Cambridge would attend the premiere as planned. The Hobbit is latest blockbuster from director Peter Jackson, who created the popular Lord Of The Rings movie trilogy.

Over the weekend, the Duchess’s bouts of vomiting intensified to such a degree that the Duke pulled out of the British Military Tournament on Sunday evening to be with his wife.

St James’s Palace has stressed it will not be giving daily updates about Kate’s health.

But although she is still suffering from the condition she may be experiencing less vomiting, so the Duke feels able to attend the premiere.

A spokeswoman for Pregnancy Sickness Support, a charity which helps women with hyperemesis gravidarum, said Kate would be experiencing constant nausea with regular vomiting.

Caitlin Dean said it would be a few months at least before Kate, who is thought to be nine weeks pregnant, could think about attending a public event.

Kate spent three days at London’s private King Edward VII’s Hospital last week. The Duke is an RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot based on Anglesey and is likely to get time off to help care for his wife.