“The Duke & Duchess Are Expecting a Baby,” Kate Hospitalized, Possible Maternity Styles

As many readers have no doubt heard, there was news from St. James’s Palace this afternoon (London time):

Duke & Duchess of Cambridge Website

If unable to read the text on the graphic, it says “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting a baby.”

As is the case these days, the announcement was released via several means, including the Clarence House Twitter account:

Clarence House

While the it is lovely news, there is a downside: Kate is hospitalized with a severe form of morning sickness, and will remain in King Edward VII Hospital for several days. More from the Clarence House statement:

“The Duchess was admitted this afternoon to King Edward VII Hospital in Central London with Hyperemesis Gravidarum. 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.”

In fact, that is why the announcement was made so early in the pregnancy, the Palace felt they had little choice as word of Kate’s hospitalization would have been leaked to the news media.  The Queen is Patron of the hospital, it is a private facility in London.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum is a serious condition that far transcends morning sickness (misery enough on its own), more from the Hyperemesis Education & Research Foundation:

“HG is a debilitating and potentially life-threatening pregnancy disease marked by rapid weight loss, malnutrition, and dehydration due to unrelenting nausea and/or vomiting with potential adverse consequences for the newborn(s).”

Among other things the site has a list of the Top 10 Things Not to Say to a woman dealing with HG.

The Palace is not announcing a due date because Kate isn’t past the first trimester. Kate and William’s child will be third in line to the throne and a great-grandchild to the Queen. For the first time, if the baby is a girl she can inherit the throne, this as a result of changes to the rules of succession approved by Commonwealth countries last summer. From the BBC:

He or she will one day be head of the armed forces, supreme governor of the Church of England and subsequently head of state of the UK and, subject to approval by the Commonwealth, 15 other countries.

We share a very few possibilities for maternity wear should things progress well for Kate and the baby. (Omitting obvious considerations, like custom pieces from Kate’s favorite labels, McQueen, Temperley, etc..) This is merely a less-than-cursory glance at a few brands Kate might consider, almost all British labels. One is 9 London.

9 London

Below, a pair of straight leg jeans by 9 London, a denim skirt by Isabella Oliver is seen on the right.

Harrod’s/Isabella Oliver

Isabella Oliver makes perfect sense. Among other things, the company received a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the International Trade category in 2010. Additional styles from the brand: the Urban Ruched dress is seen on the left, Lulu Lace maternity dress in the center, we show the Olivia dress on the right.

Isabella Olivor

A final three from this brand, all in a jersey knit not unlike Kate’s multiple Issa London frocks: the Florence Maternity Dress in a very royal blue, Tie Knot dress in the center, on the right we show the Willow frock.

Isabella Oliver

A final British brand for the day, Tiffany Rose. The satin ribbon is a bit twee, but Kate could easily replace that with a grosgrain ribbon or other embellishment that is more her style. From left to right: the Twilight in black, Amelia in a lacy style, Anastasia in deep blue, and Chloe in vintage rose lace.

Tiffany Rose

Two denim manufacturers that Kate favors offer maternity styles, we show the J. Brand Maternity Skinny Jeans (L) and the Paige Denim Maternity Verdugo Skinny Jeans (R).

J. Brand/Paige Denim

As fun as it might be to contemplate maternity wear it seems a little frivolous at this juncture with Kate hospitalized.

A note about Kate’s calendar, there are reports she won’t be making her next three scheduled appearances, Wednesday’s ICAP Charity Day, Saturday’s Winter Whites Gala and the British Military Tournament on Sunday. (For details on these three events, as well as future engagements, just click the tab above titled “Kate’s Calendar“.)