Royal Watch News

Earl and Countess of Wessex ecstatic about royal baby

Dec 6, 2012, 12:02 GMT

The Earl and Countess of Wessex

Britain's Earl and Countess of Wessex are 'thrilled' the Duchess of Cambridge is pregnant.

Prince Edward and his wife Sophie were overjoyed when they heard Prince William and Duchess Catherine are expecting their first child together, who will be third in line to the throne.

Speaking at an event in London, Prince Edward - who is William's uncle and has two children with Sophie - said the news was 'the perfect end to an amazing year'.

2012 has been a landmark year for the royal family and with Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, several successful royal tours and the euphoria of the London Olympics, royal popularity is at a high in Britain.

William and Catherine made the 'difficult decision' to go public with the news the 30-year-old duchess was eight weeks pregnant and would be taking time out from royal duties after she was admitted to hospital with acute morning sickness.

Catherine - who is also known as her maiden name of Kate Middleton - has now been discharged from hospital.