Royal Watch News

Prince William cancels engagement

Dec 9, 2012, 20:01 GMT

Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge

Prince William cancelled a public engagement today (09.12.12) after the Duchess of Cambridge was hit by a second bout of severe morning sickness.

The 30-year-old royal - who announced he and his wife are expecting their first child together earlier this week after Catherine, 30, was admitted to hospital for acute morning sickness but was discharged on Thursday (06.12.12) - was due to attend the British Military Tournament in Earl's Court but pulled out at the last minute to be by his pregnant wife's side at Kensington Palace where she is battling an acute form of nausea known as Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

A spokesperson for St. James's Palace confirmed he had cancelled his appearance because the Duchess is ill again and told USMagazine.com: 'It is well known that Hyperemesis Gravidarum often recurs. Until further notice, to allow the Duchess a degree of privacy during her pregnancy, we do not intend to offer regular condition checks or advise of routine developments.'

Prince William attended the Winter Whites Gala for homeless charity Centrepoint - which he is the patron of - in London's Royal Albert Hall last night (08.12.12), where he revealed Duchess Catherine feels like her morning sickness will 'go on forever'.

William joked about the misleading name of his wife's illness at the black tie event, saying: 'I don't know why they call it morning sickness - they should call it all day and all night sickness. It's a long old process but she is getting there. She feels like it is going to go on forever.'

The prince was to originally due to attend the gala with Catherine - who was known as Kate Middleton prior to their nuptials - but the Duchess has cancelled all her royal engagements leading up to Christmas and has been given strict instructions by staff at London's King Edward VII hospital to rest and stay hydrated.