OTTAWA — Canada is offering its congratulations to Prince William and his wife, Kate, on the announcement of her pregnancy.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen passed on their best wishes Monday, as did Gov. Gen. David Johnston.
“We recall with great fondness the 2011 royal tour of Canada by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The tremendous outpouring of affection with which Canadians greeted the royal couple is bolstered by today’s happy news,” Harper said in a statement.
“On behalf of all Canadians, Laureen and I convey our warmest congratulations.”
The Governor General, who is travelling in South America, said the news reached him in Peru.
He added that after attending the royal couple’s wedding and later welcoming them to Canada, he and his wife Sharon were overjoyed to hear that the pair were expecting their first child.
“Their love and devotion to each other — not to mention their warmth towards the people they met — were evident. Canadians reciprocated and in great numbers, demonstrating our respect for the Crown in Canada, and how much they mean to Canadians. With this happy news, we have once again a chance to show our admiration,” he said in a statement.
St. James’s Palace announced the pregnancy Monday, saying the Duchess of Cambridge was in hospital being treated for a severe form of morning sickness. It added that she was expected to remain hospitalized for several days and would require a period of rest afterward.
There has been no announcement of when the child is due and the palace has only said that the 30-year-old Kate has not yet reached the 12-week mark in her pregnancy.
The baby will be third in line to the British throne after Prince Charles and Prince William.