Monthly Archives: December 2012

For royal watchers like me, Christmas came early this year.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, is pregnant!  Oh, and Wills is the dad.  But I’ve yet to see his name in a headline concerning his firstborn future monarch, so let’s continue.

Considering they waited over a month to share the news of their engagement, it seems surprising that they are sharing this news when she’s not yet twelve weeks along, the international standard for admitting you are knocked up.

Of course, the palace rightly assumed they couldn’t exactly check the most famous woman in the world into a London hospital without word getting out.  And why was she in a hospital?  Because apparently she has the worst case of morning sickness, also known as hyperemesis gravidarum.  As in, she’s probably throwing up so much she needs an IV to stay hydrated.  Lord have mercy.

Turns out becoming royal didn’t spare her unending nausea.  I’m sure round-the-clock care helps.  I’m not sure world-wide attention does, however.

Having never heard of this affliction myself, I turned to the medical expert to be consulted in all situations: Wikipedia.  And wouldn’t you know?  Apparently, the biggest scoop won’t be revealed by a random blogger, gossip website, or major news outlet.  Let Wikipedia get the credit for diagnosing our princess: she’s having TWINS!

“The cause of HG is unknown. The leading theories state that it is an adverse reaction to the hormonal changes of pregnancy. In particular, hyperemesis gravidarum may be due to raised levels of beta HCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin) as it is more common in multiple pregnancies.”  Wikipedia, “Hyperemesis Gravidarum”

At least, that’s my hope.  And that of my mother.  We both Wiki’d today and are drawing the same conclusions.   I also think her first question is fair:

“Which one would get the throne??”

Excellent question, and one that will inevitably lead to years of bitterness or relief, depending on who gets what.  I’d expect that whomever the doctor lifts out first (C-sections are almost a certainty with twins) would be next in line, but I’m not the final authority on the matter.

The most pressing concern is, of course, how she will influence maternity wear for generations to come.   The ripples of jealously of her lithe preggo figure among the masses  should be tampered by the guidance she provides on how to carry oneself while with child.

For comparison’s sake, please consider our previous royal baby bumps (courtesy People.com):

The Queen: crisp, no-nonsense, no frills

Princess Diana: all nonsense, far, far too many frills, bows and polka dots

Fergie:  yikes

Kate won’t have to do much legwork here, considering her most immediate predecessors were pregnant in the unforgiving eighties.

Here she is just days ago:

Granted, this is her most eighties dress to date, but we’ll let that pass.

For now, let’s wish our favorite royal couple a healthy, puke-free pregnancy going forward, and two little heirs to greet the masses in June!