Kate Middleton Pregnant? 'Pregnancy in Very Early Stages' Say Royal Officials

After months of speculation, Buckingham Palace announced that Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton are expecting their first child.

"Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting a baby," the palace said in a statement. "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."

Royal officials said the duchess was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital today in central London with hyperemesis gravidarum - acute morning sickness.

"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," the statement said.

Last month, Australian magazine New Idea exclusively reported that Prince William and wife Kate Middleton will be announcing that they will be expecting a heir to the throne.

"After months of pregnancy speculation, close friend Jessica Hay tells New Idea that her old schoolmate Kate has 'wonderful, happy news' to share, with next month tipped as the deadline for the revelation," the magazine reported. "The breaking news follows buzz from royal bump watchers, who speculate Kate's recent weight gain is baby related."