Well, it's official. Britain's favorite royals, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, announced that they are in fact expecting their first child today in a statement released by the palace. The announcement comes after weeks of intense speculation by the world's media.
"Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting a baby," the statement read. "The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry and members of both families are delighted with the news."
The palace also stated that the Duchess was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital in Central London with hyperemesis gravidarum, or acute morning sickness that requires supplementary hydration and nutrients. "As the pregnancy is in its very early stages, Her Royal Highness is expected to stay in hospital for several days and will require a period of rest thereafter," the statement added.
According to ABC News, this will be the third great-grandchild for Queen Elizabeth II.
Twitter didn't spare anytime in reacting to the news of an impending royal baby. While most congratulated the couple on their little bundle of joy, some took the time to think of new names for the baby.
Within less than an hour of the announcement, the royal couple dominated the worldwide trending list on the site. The hashtags #royalbaby and 'Kate Middleton Is Pregnant' rose in popularity in the US and abroad.
British Prime Minister David Cameron expressed his congratulations on the social networking site as well. "I'm delighted by the news that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting a baby. They will make wonderful parents," Cameron tweeted.
The royal couple's first-born will likely be the heir to the throne, ABC News reported, regardless of the baby's gender. The heads of 16 Commonwealth countries decided to change the rules of succession so that the first-born child of either gender could assume the throne, ABC News added.
Rumors of a royal pregnancy emerged almost immediately after the couple's April 29,2011 wedding.