UK royal couple expecting baby

Prince William and his wife Catherine on Monday announced they are expecting their first child, ending fevered speculation about a baby destined to become Britain's monarch whether it is a boy or a girl amid concern over latter's physical condition.
Queen Elizabeth II and the rest of the royal family were "delighted" by the news of the pregnancy while William -- the son of the late Princess Diana and the heir to the throne Prince Charles -- had visited her in hospital, the palace said.
Messages of congratulations poured in from around the world yesterday, as the duchess spent a second day in hospital suffering from acute morning sickness.
The child, to be born next summer, will be third in line to the throne regardless of whether it is a girl or a boy, after a historic agreement among Commonwealth countries last year to end the practice of male primogeniture.
St James' Palace said Kate was still at the "very early stages" of pregnancy -- she is believed to be less than 12 weeks -- but it is thought the news was released because her admission to hospital would have made her condition public.
Kate has hyperemesis gravidarum, a very acute form of morning sickness which affects 3.5 in every 1,000 pregnant women.
Although it is not dangerous for the baby, it can be highly unpleasant for the mother as it causes severe vomiting and carries a danger of dehydration and nutritional deficiencies.
News of the pregnancy sparked huge excitement in the British press, although it was tempered with concern about Kate's condition, as well as messages of goodwill from around the world.
Prime Minister David Cameron led the congratulations by saying the royal couple would make "wonderful parents".
US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle sent their congratulations on the "welcome news", the White House said.
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the news "is going to bring joy to many around the world", while her New Zealand counterpart John Key said the news was "fabulous".