Last month, Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank announced they were expecting their first child together, who will join the Windsor fold early next year. The statement sparked a wave of public excitement as it had long been speculated that the couple would soon confirm they would become the next Royal Family parents. But previously, the Royal Family appeared to have no control of the announcement of Kate and Prince William’s first child, as the now-38-year-old was hospitalised with hyperemesis gravidarum, or acute nausea.
At the time, a palace source revealed that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were forced to go public with the announcement after Kate spent a few days in King Edward VII Hospital in London.
The announcement came moments before the Duchess’ stay in hospital was confirmed, with Clarence House adding that she would be in for “several days” before requiring a “period of rest”.
But Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, explained the Royal Family would have preferred to have waited as Kate at the time was less than two-and-a-half months pregnant.
She told ‘Good Morning America’: “Well they didn’t want to let it out because she’s still probably about the 10-week mark but they knew that once Kate was seen going into the hospital… that it was going to be out of their hands and then the media would have control of the announcement.”
A spokesman from St James’s Palace said Kate was “continuing to feel better” as she received treatment in hospital.
He added: “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.”
Reports from 2012 suggest that Kate and William were with her parents in Bucklebury when she began feeling the severe morning sickness symptoms.
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Speaking before George’s birth, royal historian Robert Lacey said: “When Charles was born, Prince Philip played squash here at the palace.
“When Prince William was born, Prince Charles went off and played polo.
“I think we’re getting to see the first royal birth where the father himself is present at the birth and sees his new child come into the world.”
Mr Lacey also exposed a key way William would be different to his father Prince Charles, and grandfather Prince Philip, with regards to supporting Kate through her pregnancy.
He added: “I think we will see a very ordinary pregnancy, a very open pregnancy.
“Already the details of what’s happening to Kate are not being hidden as would have been the case in the past.
“And we’re seeing the concern of a very modern husband going to see her in [the] hospital every day.”
