Duchess of Cambridge steps out in public for first time since announcing third pregnancy

THE Duchess of Cambridge has debuted her baby bump in her first public appearance since announcing her third pregnancy last month.

The 35-year-old, who has not been seen in public since August 30, joined Princes William and Harry at a Buckingham Palace reception on Tuesday, recognising the work of mental health workers.

The mother-of-two, who is reportedly still suffering from extreme morning sickness, wore a powder blue dress by Temperley London.

Kate Middleton cancelled her royal duties in favour of bed rest in Kensington Palace after her pregnancy was announced due to hyperemesis gravidarum.

She is no stranger to the condition, having been hospitalised with it in 2012 while pregnant with Prince George, four, and enduring it throughout her pregnancy with Princess Charlotte, two.

Despite this, Kensington Palace assured royal watchers that the Duchess would make a one-hour appearance at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.
 

Guests at the event included former Dame Esther Rantzen, model Adwoa Aboah and former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

Actor and writer Stephen Fry delivered a speech, as did Prince William who thanked guests for their continued work in the mental health sector.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry, have worked tirelessly in recent years to advocate for mental health awareness and improved national care.

On #WorldMentalHealthDay, The Duke & Duchess and Prince Harry attend a reception to celebrate those working in the mental health sector. pic.twitter.com/jmWcnWafm6

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) October 10, 2017

The three royals launched the Heads Together campaign last year to encourage families to have conversations about mental health.

They have also been vocal about their own past struggles with mental illness.

William and Harry filmed a candid video in which they discussed the impact the death of their mother, Princess Diana, had on their mental health.

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Kate’s third pregnancy has kept her from her charity work over the last month and left her so incapacitated that she was unable to escort son George to his first day at school at Thomas’s at Battersea last month, instead leaving the job to her husband.

“Unfortunately, the Duchess of Cambridge remains unwell, and will not be able to accompany Prince George on his first day of school,’’ a palace spokesman said at the time.

The Duchess is thought to be less than 12 weeks’ pregnant with her bout of hyperemesis gravidarum forcing her to pull out of an event at the beginning of September, which prompted the palace to make the pregnancy announcement early.

Normal morning sickness affects around 70 per cent of pregnant women, and causes some degree of vomiting and discomfort commonly during the first trimester of pregnancy.