Britain's Kate and Prince William expecting a baby

LONDON (AP) – Get the nursery ready: Britain’s royal family announced Monday that Prince William and his wife are expecting their first child.

St. James’s Palace said Monday that the Duchess of Cambridge – formerly known as Kate Middleton – has a severe form of morning sickness and is currently in a London hospital.

The palace said that since the pregnancy is in its “very early stages,” the 30-year-old duchess is expected to stay in the hospital for several days and will require a period of rest afterward.

In recent days, Middleton has kept up royal appearances – recently playing field hockey with schoolchildren at her former school.