Duke Of Cambridge Opens Up About The 'Anxious' Start To Duchess' Pregnancy

'We need Catherine to get over this first bit.'

The Duke of Cambridge has opened up about the Duchess’ pregnancy for the first time since Kensington Palace revealed she was expecting.

Prince William said it had been an “anxious” start but added that the Duchess is doing “well”.

“We need Catherine to get over this first bit and then we can start celebrating,” he said, during a visit to the National Mental Health and Policing Conference on Tuesday 5 September.

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PA Wire/PA Images

The Duke added: “It’s always a bit anxious to start with, but she’s well.

“There’s not much sleep going on at the moment.”

The Duchess is suffering with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), a severe pregnancy sickness that she also experienced during her two previous pregnancies. 

Due to her condition, the Duchess will no longer carry out planned royal engagements.

HG is prolonged and severe nausea and vomiting, which is estimated to affect around one in every 100 pregnant women.

It’s not known what causes HG, but according to the NHS, some experts believe it is linked to changing hormones during pregnancy.

Before You Go

Duchess Of Cambridge Wimbledon Style
10 July 2016(01 of24)
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The Duchess of Cambridge attended the Men's Final of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships between Milos Raonic and Andy Murray. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
(02 of24)
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She wore an Alexander McQueen dress featuring an 'Obsession' print, which includes butterflies, lips, jewels and of course, the signature McQueen skull. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
(03 of24)
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She cheered Andy Murray on to win his second Wimbledon title. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
7 July 2016(04 of24)
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Catherine watched Elena Visnina take on Serena Williams in the semi-finals of the championships. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
(05 of24)
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She wore a yellow Roksanda dress (a custom take on the label's Ryedale dress), pearl earrings by Soru Jewellery, Ballon Bleu watch by Cartier, heels by Rupert Sanderson, a Victoria Beckham bag and her trusty Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses. (credit:WPA Pool via Getty Images)
(06 of24)
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She was clearly impressed by Serena Williams win. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
8 July 2015(07 of24)
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Catherine cheered on Andy Murray in the men’s single quarter-finals. (credit:Julian Finney via Getty Images)
(08 of24)
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She teamed her red L.K. Bennett Cayla dress with a Diane Von Furstenburg animal print clutch, her signature nude court heels, and, of course, her Ray-Bans. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
6 July 2014(09 of24)
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Catherine and Prince William watched Novak Djokovic beat Roger Federer in the men's singles final. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
(10 of24)
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The Duchess wore a teal Evelyn dress by Jonathan Saunders and carried her Avona clutch from LK Bennett. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
(11 of24)
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(credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
2 July 2014(12 of24)
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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the men's singles quarter-final match between Britain's Andy Murray and Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov. (credit:Hoch Zwei via Getty Images)
(13 of24)
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Kate wore a lace 'Roamer' sundress by Australian designer, Zimmerman. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
(14 of24)
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(credit:Jan Kruger via Getty Images)
8 July 2012(15 of24)
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The Duchess of Cambridge was joined by her sister Pippa Middleton as she watched Roger Federer of Switzerland defeating Andy Murray of Great Britain and claiming the men's singles title. (credit:LEON NEAL via Getty Images)
(16 of24)
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Kate wore two pieces from Jigsaw: the sleeveless Vanessa dress and the Nessie Tweed Jacket. (credit:Icon Sports Wire via Getty Images)
4 July 2012(17 of24)
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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the Andy Murray vs. David Ferrer quarter final match. (credit:Visionhaus via Getty Images)
(18 of24)
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She wore an Alexander McQueen cable-knit sailor dress and carried her Jaeger ‘Kate’ bag. (credit:Neil Mockford via Getty Images)
(19 of24)
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(credit:Clive Brunskill via Getty Images)
27 June 2011(20 of24)
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William and Kate watched the round sixteen match between Andy Murray and Richard Gasquet. (credit:ben radford via Getty Images)
(21 of24)
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The Duchess wore Temperley London’s Moraiah dress, with LK Bennett Sledge2 pumps. (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
(22 of24)
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(credit:GLYN KIRK via Getty Images)
28 June 2008(23 of24)
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When the Duchess was still known as "Prince William's girlfriend Kate Middleton" she attended Wimbledon with friends. (credit:Ryan Pierse via Getty Images)
(24 of24)
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She looked beautiful, as per. (credit:Ryan Pierse via Getty Images)