Royal baby: Kate and William reveal due date

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with first child George in 2013. Picture: AFP

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have confirmed their baby is due in April, Kensington Palace has revealed.

Kate, who is expecting her second child, has been suffering from another bout of the illness hyperemesis gravidarum which she experienced during the early stages of her first pregnancy.

A series of engagements were cancelled after her pregnancy was announced on 8 September but her condition is improving and she will join William in officially welcoming the president of Singapore, Tony Tan, and his wife tomorrow, as they begin a four-day state visit to the UK.

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Kensington Palace said in a short statement: “Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to confirm they are expecting a baby in April 2015.

“The Duchess of Cambridge continues to be affected by hyperemesis gravidarum, but her condition is steadily improving.”

Confirmation of the expected birth month suggests Kate has had her 12-week scan and seen images of the baby for the first time.

With the duchess just over 12 weeks pregnant, it is likely that the baby is due around the end of April and could possibly arrive on William and Kate’s fourth wedding anniversary, on 29 April.

The prince or princess will be born as the nation gears up for the general election in May. If the baby is born late, it could even arrive on election day.

There has already been speculation the baby’s birth could coincide with the 89th birthday of its great-grandmother the Queen on 21 April.

Other notable royal anniversaries in April include the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall’s tenth wedding anniversary on 9 April.

Kate’s second bout of hyperemesis gravidarum appears to be lasting longer then when she was pregnant with Prince George.

The duchess has not been seen at an official public event since it was announced six weeks ago in September that she was pregnant again.

Her last official engagement was in early August when she visited the Tower of London with William and Prince Harry to see a First World War ceramic poppy installation.

Kate did not travel to Malta last month for an official visit which would have been her first solo overseas trip, and she missed Prince Harry successfully hosting the Invictus Games.

The Cambridges will greet the president and his wife Mary at the Royal Garden Hotel in London today, then travel with the couple to Horse Guards Parade, where the Singaporean leader will receive a full ceremonial welcome.

After confirmation of the royal baby’s due month of April, bookmakers William Hill suspended betting on twins being born.

A spokesman for William Hills said: “It would be fitting for the baby to be born on the Queen’s birthday and Elizabeth is the favourite name, too.”

Punters favour Elizabeth at 7/2, followed by James and Victoria, both 12/1, Alexandra and Phillip at 14/1, Catherine and Henry at 16/1.