LONDON (AP) - Get the nursery ready: Britain's royal family announced Monday that Prince William and his wife are expecting their first child.
St. James's Palace said Monday that the Duchess of Cambridge - formerly known as Kate Middleton - has a severe form of morning sickness and is currently in a London hospital.
The palace said that since the pregnancy is in its "very early stages," the 30-year-old duchess is expected to stay in the hospital for several days and will require a period of rest afterward.
In recent days, Middleton has kept up royal appearances - recently playing field hockey with schoolchildren at her former school.
The confirmation of her pregnancy - following intense speculation ever since their lavish Westminster Abbey wedding last year - was greeted with congratulations.
Prime Minister David Cameron wrote on Twitter that he was "delighted by the news," saying the royals "will make wonderful parents."
Not only are the attractive young couple popular - with William's easy common touch reminding many of his mother, the late Princess Diana - but their child is expected to play an important role in British national life for decades to come.
As the first-born to William - who is second in line for the throne after his father, Prince Charles - the couple's child stands an excellent chance of one day becoming monarch.
Whether boy or girl, the child will be next in line behind William in the line of succession to the throne, Cabinet Office officials have said.
Leaders of Britain and the 15 former colonies that have the monarch as their head of state agreed in 2011 to new rules which give females equal status with males in the order of succession.
Although none of the nations had legislated to make the change as of September 2012, the British Cabinet Office confirmed that this is now the de-facto rule.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:03 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:03:13 GMT
A Perrysburg Township packaging plant is closing this summer, affecting 126 employees at the location. We're told an agreement allowing Diamond Crystal Brands to sell Splenda sweetener will expire at
A Perrysburg Township packaging plant is closing this summer, affecting 126 employees at the location.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:34 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:34:48 GMT
13abc and the Red Cross are teaming up for our Road to Recovery Phone Bank to provide information about helping the victims of the Oklahoma tornado and other disasters. Volunteers will be at the station
13abc and Red Cross teamed up for our Road to Recovery Phone Bank Thursday to provide information about helping the victims of the Oklahoma tornado and other disasters.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:10 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:10:04 GMT
MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) - The Washington State Patrol says the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River at Mount Vernon has collapsed, dumping vehicles and people into the water. Trooper Mark Francis
The Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River at Mount Vernon collapsed Thursday evening, dumping vehicles and people into the water, the Washington State Patrol said.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:57 PM EDT2013-05-24 01:57:54 GMT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A proposed constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana and certain uses of hemp has cleared Ohio's ballot board. The panel's approval Thursday sends the issue into its
A proposed constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana and certain uses of hemp has cleared Ohio's ballot board.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:40 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:40:05 GMT
PHOENIX (AP) - The jury in Jodi Arias' trial was dismissed Thursday after failing to reach a unanimous decision on whether the woman they convicted of murdering her one-time boyfriend should be sentenced
The jury in Jodi Arias' trial was dismissed Thursday after failing to reach a unanimous decision on whether the woman they convicted of murdering her one-time boyfriend should be sentenced to life or death in a case that has captured headlines worldwide with its sex, lies, violence.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:38 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:38:38 GMT
(ABC News) -- The Boy Scouts of America today voted to lift its longtime national ban on admitting openly gay Scouts but will continue to exclude openly gay adults from leadership roles. The vote
The Boy Scouts of America today voted to lift its longtime national ban on admitting openly gay Scouts but will continue to exclude openly gay adults from leadership roles.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:02 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:02:06 GMT
The 27-year-old woman who was on the ground staring into the barrel of a shotgun says Toledo police officers saved her life. Valarie Williams tells 13 ABC's Christine Long that it is nothing short of
The 27-year-old woman who was on the ground staring into the barrel of a shotgun says Toledo police officers saved her life. As a man stood over her pointing a shotgun to her face, Valerie Williams says, "It was like an angel came because the cops pulled up."
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:22 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:22:19 GMT
Some families in Maumee were surprised to open their utility bills and find some were ten times the normal amount. Many come from the Wrenworth subdivision and say they've been getting these very high
Some families in Maumee were surprised to open their utility bills and find some were ten times the normal amount. Many come from the Wrenworth subdivision and say they've been getting these very high bills recently and now they're asking why. At least one family did not get an actual meter reading in several months.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:25:21 GMT
Planning is underway for the First Annual African American Male Wellness Walk in Toledo. The walk will be held August 3, 2013 at the African American Legacy Project located at 1326 Collingwood Boulevard.
Planning is underway for the First Annual African American Male Wellness Walk in Toledo. The walk will be held August 3, 2013 at the African American Legacy Project. Go to 13abc.com for details.
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