Kate Middleton is pregnant, St James's Palace announced today (3 December).

Kate, 30, has been admitted to the King Edward VII Hospital in central London after suffering from acute morning sickness. She is expected to stay there for several days.

The Duke and the Duchess of Cambridge, who married in a lavish ceremony in April last year, said they were "delighted with the news."

The baby will be born third in line to the British throne, as the Queen's great grandchild.

A statement on the couple's website read: "Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting a baby.

"The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry and members of both families are delighted with the news.

"The Duchess was admitted this afternoon to King Edward VII Hospital in Central London with Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

"As the pregnancy is in its very early stages, Her Royal Highness is expected to stay in hospital for several days and will require a period of rest thereafter."

Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted that he was "delighted by the news."

"They will make wonderful parents," he added.

Congratulations also came from the White House. Jay Carney, President Barack Obama's press secretary, said: "On behalf of everyone here, beginning with the president and first lady, we extend our congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the welcome news we received from London that they are expecting their first child."

NB: Kate is mentioned in tomorrow's Stylist. We've used her as an example of a typical 30-year-old woman who was still considering the right time to have a baby. This was true, to the best of our knowledge, when we went to print on Friday. Oh well...

Picture credit: Rex Features