The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have confirmed their third child will be born in April.
Kensington Palace announced Kate Middleton’s due date on Tuesday, amid ongoing speculation about just how far along in her pregnancy she is.
A short statement released by the palace read: “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to confirm they are expecting a baby in April 2018.”
It means that Kate, 35, is roughly four months’ pregnant.
The news was greeted with congratulatory messages from excited fans, including one who tweeted: “Congratulations and many blessings for good health for you all! Exciting news!”
Another said: “Thank you for sharing this special news today. We could use a bit of cheer. God has Blessed you two so just be happy.”
A third added: “Congratulations. Hope the Duchess is doing well with her morning sickness.”
Others pointed out this will be an anniversary baby, given Kate and Wills mark their sixth wedding anniversary on April 29.
It’s the first confirmation of the child’s due date, after the royal couple were forced to disclose her pregnancy earlier than the usual three-month mark because of her severe pregnancy sickness.
The duchess has again been struck down by Hyperemesis Gravidarum, the extreme sickness that affected her first two pregnancies.
Sometimes women can be sick up to 50 times a day, can suffer from severe dehydration, which can cause problems with the baby, and can also lead to low blood pressure.
Kate suffered so badly when pregnant with Prince George, now four, that she was hospitalised and reportedly put on a drip to ensure she got the right nutrients.
After announcing her third pregnancy, she retreated from the limelight on doctors’ orders and was forced to cancel planned engagements.
Thankfully, however, she appears to be on the mend and joined husband William, 35, for a charity event at Paddington Station in London on Monday.
Looking happy and healthy in a pink dress, the beaming duchess even enjoyed a dance with a lifesize Paddington Bear, suggesting she’s feeling much better.
Now we know when Kate’s baby is due, the attention will inevitably turn to gender!
Fans were convinced last week the duchess is expecting a boy after she wore a blue gown to an event for World Mental Health Day at Buckingham Palace.
But then she turned the tables by choosing a baby pink dress for her day with Paddington, leaving everyone back to square one as to whether we’ll get a new prince or princess!
Either way, the new arrival will be fifth in line to throne, bumping uncle Prince Harry down to sixth.
He or she will be behind granddad Prince Charles, dad William, brother George and little sister Charlotte, two.
Congrats to William and Kate!