Prince William and Kate Middleton are expecting their third child
Here's some happy Monday morning news for you: Britain's royal family will soon be adding a new member. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting a third child, Kensington Palace has announced, a little brother or sister for 4-year-old Prince George and 2-year-old Princess Charlotte.
Unfortunately, as with her two first pregnancies, Kate Middleton is suffering from something called "Hyperemesis Gravidarum," which is an extreme form of morning sickness that can cause a handful of dangerous side effects, like dehydration and a loss of nutrients. She had to cancel an upcoming engagement, perhaps prompting the pregnancy announcement. Still, "the queen and members of both families are delighted with the news," the palace said in a statement.
The little prince or princess will be fifth in line to the throne, which, as The Guardian helpfully points out, bumps Prince Harry "down to sixth place." Interestingly, this third baby will set a bit of a precedent, in that it will not jump ahead of Princess Charlotte in the line of succession, even if it is a boy, thanks to a recent change in the rules of inheritance.
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So, what will the new royal baby be called? Bookies are already making predictions: Alice, Alexandra, and Victoria are favorites for a baby girl; James, Philip, Arthur, and Henry are favorites for a baby boy.
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Jessica Hullinger is a writer and former deputy editor of The Week Digital. Originally from the American Midwest, she completed a degree in journalism at Indiana University Bloomington before relocating to New York City, where she pursued a career in media. After joining The Week as an intern in 2010, she served as the title’s audience development manager, senior editor and deputy editor, as well as a regular guest on “The Week Unwrapped” podcast. Her writing has featured in other publications including Popular Science, Fast Company, Fortune, and Self magazine, and she loves covering science and climate-related issues.
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