The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting their third child, Kensington Palace has announced.

The Queen is "delighted" with the news, the Palace said in a statement.

The announcement was made because the Duchess is suffering from severe morning sickness, as she did with her previous pregnancies, forcing her to cancel a public engagement she had later today.

How does Harry feel about the new baby?

The statement said: "Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that the Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their third child.

"The Queen and members of both families are delighted with the news.


"As with her previous two pregnancies, the Duchess is suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

"Her Royal Highness will no longer carry out her planned engagement at the Hornsey Road Children's Centre in London today. The Duchess is being cared for at Kensington Palace."

:: Kate's severe morning sickness explained

The Palace did not say when Kate, 35, is expected to give birth.

Image: William and Kate were married on 29 April 2011

Image: The couple introducing baby number one George to the world in 2013

Image: Their second child, Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, was born in 2015

Prince Harry, asked about the news while visiting Manchester, said: "Fantastic. Great. Very, very happy."

Asked how Kate was, he said: "I haven't seen her for a while but I think she's okay."

:: George prepares to start school this week

The latest addition to the Cambridge family - another great-grandchild for the Queen - will be fifth in line to the throne, pushing Uncle Harry into sixth place.

But it is unlikely that, as a third born royal in direct succession, he or she will become king or queen.

The Prince of Wales is first in line, followed by William, Prince George and the couple's daughter Princess Charlotte, who is two.

Last week: Princes and Kate visit Diana garden

The Cambridges are also preparing for another major milestone this week - when four-year-old Prince George starts his first day at school on Thursday.

The couple have chosen an independent school in Battersea, south London, where fees cost from £17,604 a year, for their firstborn.

Read the press release in full ↓ pic.twitter.com/vDTgGD2aGF — Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) September 4, 2017

The family is now mainly based at their Kensington Palace apartment, rather than their Norfolk home, Anmer Hall.

William is now a full-time Royal, having quit his job as a pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance in July.

He is due to attend the National Mental Health and Policing Conference in Oxford on Tuesday.

Princess Charlotte's royal trip tantrum

Speculation has already started on the sex and likely name of the couple's third child, with Alice - popular with bookmakers last time - or Alexandra possibilities for a girl and Frederick, James or Philip for a boy.

Bookmaker Paddy Power made Alice and Arthur their early favourites.

Image: The Duchess of Cambridge meeting scouts while pregnant with George

Shortly after the news was made public, the Queen and Prince Philip attended the official opening of the Queensferry Crossing near Edinburgh.

Hundreds of people cheered as the Queen cut a ribbon to signify the bridge's opening.

Image: The Queen cuts the tape to open the Queensferry Crossing over the Firth of Forth

In July Kate appeared to hint at having a third child on the family's royal tour of Poland.

Given a cuddly toy meant for a newborn, she said to William, laughing: "We will just have to have more babies."

Number 10 has tweeted Theresa May's congratulations, posting: "PM - This is fantastic news. Many congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge."