Britain's Prince William, Kate expecting a baby

'Fevered speculation' - People really should have more important things to concern themselves about. The country is heading for a triple-dip recession and people are getting excited about an addition to the tax bill. This tabloid-fuelled celeb culture drags the UK's name through the mud.

I am glad that for Prince William and his wife Catherine everything goes fine in this life. Unfortunately, for the vast majority of other people, we read about, it is not the case.

in hospital suffering from severe morning sickness

Wuss. Can't the butler/lady's made/parlour maid/houskeeper/footman/scullery maid be co-opted to ply her with hydration and nutrients?

Seriously, if it's so severe she needs hospital treatment, it's hardly yet the time for congratulations and delight, is it?

Katey, I feel for you, morning sickness isn't pleasant, but come on - pregnancy isn't an illness, you don't need to be hogging an NHS bed a truly sick person on a waiting list could put to better use.

This is why I never enjoy reading about people with such heavy symbolic background. While looking at their happy faces, I cannot help thinking about others, but not about them at all.

@Cleo

An NHS bed? Horrors! Surely the world hasn't come to that...?

Maybe Cameron will visit her in her NHS bed bringing a Gregg's pasty as a present.

Just checked with the BBC and apparently she's in a private hospital in London, so maybe I was over the mark with the NHS jibe. (I have a friend whose child has been on a waiting list for ages, it does bother me....) But, rich missus waited on hand and foot, still no reason for her to take up a hospital bed that a sick person could use.

My daughter struggled with severe morning (=all day) sickness in her second pregnancy, yet still managed to do a full-time job, care for a toddler and run a home. Buck up, Katey.

Cleo, how do you suggest she rehydrates when she can't keep anything down?

I am surprised by the lack of sympathy for someone who is obviously throwing up so regularly and violently that she is suffering severe dehydration. Anyone who has been in this situation will know how horrible it is. Some time on a drip is what she needs. But of course, if they'd had a doctor brought to their place of residence to set up said drip, you'd still be complaining.

Here is a firsthand account of hyperemesis gravidarum:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20585885

Hyperemesis gravidarum needs specialist treatment and often requires a stay in hospital. Ebru said she was in hospital about 20 times during her pregnancy.

20 times! Selfish cow - no backbone. Don't you wish someone had told her to buck up?

The frenzy begins.

Some time on a drip is what she needs.

which Mrs Living Rich Off the State can get at home.

But of course, if they'd had a doctor brought to their place of residence to set up said drip, you'd still be complaining.

If she was at home, we wouldn't need to even know about it. It's not like it's news, or a rare condition. Your link says 1 in 200 pregnant women get hyperemesis gravidarum.

It's a boy.

I'm bursting with joy at this news and want to share it will everyone. :-)

Whether it's newsworthy or not is a separate issue, and there we might be more in agreement. However, your complaints and criticisms above seem to be that she doesn't deserve to get medical treatment of any kind, and should keep calm and carry on, and vomit into the gutter as she pulls her shopping cart along. Just like the other 1 in 200 women should, I suppose.

Mrs Living Rich Off the State

She's rich anyway, through her parents. Living off the state? Anyone who gets NHS treatment could be accused of that.

You're anti-monarchy, which is fair enough - some of my best friends would prefer a republic. But your reaction to a pregnant woman's illness seems a bit overheated and misdirected.

If it's the 55-ish pence p.p. p.a. (that you yourself pay?) which you're unhappy about, you should write to your local councillor (who you have?) and vote accordingly (which you still can?).

your complaints and criticisms above seem to be that she doesn't deserve to get medical treatment of any kind

I didn't say that. Just don't make a fuss over something that happens to lots of women and that they manage to struggle through without getting all delicate and precious. haha wa tsuyoshi

She's rich anyway, through her parents.

I think that means her parents are rich, not that she is. But if we go with that, it means she doesn't need state handouts?

I'm not sure what fuss you think she's making. She's in hospital, probably puking bile and air into a bowl as I type, unless they've managed to sort out the meds.

It's the media that's making the fuss. And, right now, you and I.

And if the 1 in 200 women do not get treatment, I can't understand why they aren't asking for medical help which is readily available to them.

If you're reading this, ladies, get yourself checked in and checked out instantly, it's not the 19th century any more, and you don't need to squat behind a bush to give birth either.

As for state handouts, I don't see the relevance here.

zichiDec. 04, 2012 - 10:44AM JST

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge don't receive any state handouts or anything from the Civil List.

First of all, I would like to congratulate the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

zichi, I did not know they are not getting anything. How possibly can they do public duties? Don't you think British ask too much on them?

Congratulations !

The royal soap opera continues. This will be standard food for the tabloids for a long time.

Zichi:

" Kate's injection of commoner DNA changes House of Windsor bloodline forever. "

...for the better, I would say. European royalty has been inbreeding for centuries, which is why they have so many genetic diseases (bleeders, mental instability, etc.).

Maria - " it's not the 19th century any more"

I think that qualifies for Quote of the Week. :-)

Kate's injection of commoner DNA changes House of Windsor bloodline forever.

That can only be for the better. Poor kids.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge don't receive any state handouts or anything from the Civil List.

At the moment they are supported by Prince Charles who gets his money from the Duchy of Cornwall and elsewhere - all inherited, not a penny he earned himself. From next year there are apparently going to be changes, and the word is that William can expect 'a substantial income' from the Crown Estate in addition to his pilot income (at least he earns that himself). He also has access to the £300K interest on the £6.5m fortune his mother left him, and also got hold of the lump sum when he turned 30.

Her parents aren't rich and earned whatever wealth they do have

They live in a £1million house, sent all three children to a £27K-a-year school, and bought Katey a £780K flat in Chelsea. At least their money is earned not inherited, but they're certainly not short of a bob or three.

Readers, enough of this please. A simple congratulations will do.

Let up people! They're having a baby! It's good news for them irrespective of whatever the circumstances are and whatever our opinions may be!

When you're as thin as Kate it must be quite dangerous if you vomit up what little food you eat. There are also many risks for the baby if the mother is underweight. My advice is for Kate to get herself down to the nearest chip and cake shops as soon as possible and start eating properly.

William should get her some Preggie Pop Drops to relieve her morning sickness. Anyway, congratulations to both of them; looking forward to seeing the baby.

@Pattie Inoue I wouldn't wish ill on any expectant mother - you are missing the point. Many UK taxpayers, including myself, find it grossly offensive that working people's tax is being used to support another member to this bloated institution. Have as many children as you like, but don't expect the taxpayer to support this Disneyland nonsense.

My daughter struggled with severe morning (=all day) sickness in her second pregnancy, yet still managed to do a full-time job, care for a toddler and run a home. Buck up, Katey.

She is carrying the future heir to the throne and a half billion pound tourism industry, some people think that's worthy of a treating with a little extra care.

Congratulations the Wills and Kate, they must be stoked, even if some of the plebs are not.

@Zichi I'm not talking about the stay in hospital. I'm talking about another royal living a parasitic lifetime - taking advantage of unearned money and thinking who will pay for security when this one marries in an obscene pantomime.

Moderator: Please refrain from posting inflammatory remarks like this. A simple congratulations will do.

Congratulations.