Kate Middleton is still having trouble with pregnancy sickness and is receiving crucial support from her mom Carole Middleton, who is taking care not only of her daughter but also Kate’s son Prince George.
The Duchess of Cambridge, 32, has been suffering for weeks from hyperemesis gravidarum, a sickness that some pregnant women get that causes extreme vomiting and nausea, among other symptoms.
A source told the Daily Mail that Kate had been “struggling terribly” with the sickness despite reports that her health had been improving, and that the Duchess “hasn’t been at all well.”
Fortunately, Kate has been getting help from her mother while staying at her parent’s mansion in Bucklebury.
Carole Middleton has helped to take charge of her recovery and has been researching alternative sickness cures, such as herbal tea, on the Internet, according to the sources.
Carole has also been taking care of Prince George despite the presence of Spanish nanny Maria Borallo, with one assistant noting on Twitter that they served both the young prince and Kate Middleton’s mum at work.
“Kate is feeling so lousy that she just wanted to be with her family and out of public view. She is extremely close to Carole, who is very much a hands-on grandmother. Between her and their nanny, Maria, Kate has all the help she needs with George while she is feeling so sick,” one source said.
“And Bucklebury is somewhere she can just relax and be herself.”
Reports in late September indicated that Kate was on the up and up, with royal aides even saying that she was set to resume royal duties soon.
But a family friend soon revealed that Kate had retreated to her parent’s home because she was “not at all well, the poor thing.”
When you’re ill, the place you feel most comfortable is at home with your mum, isn’t it?” the source told People magazine. “When she’s there, Kate can just relax and sit on the sofa and not have to worry about having to deal with all the staff and everything else that comes with a big palace full of rooms.”
Hyperemesis gravidarum, which Kate has been suffering from, has been described as “a horrendous, grueling, protracted condition that leaves the people who suffer from it in a horrid state.”
Still, royal sources say that Kate believes that she might be well enough to undertake a key royal duty soon.
Sources indicated to the Telegraph that Kate “very much hopes” to take part in the traditional ceremonial welcome of the President of Singapore during his state visit on October 21.
If well enough on October 21, the Duchess will join the Duke in welcoming the President and his wife, Mrs. Tony Tan Keng Yam, at the Royal Garden Hotel, which neighbors Kensington Palace, before travelling with them to Horse Guards Parade for the traditional ceremonial welcome.
Depending on her condition, Kate may travel via other means of transportation.
Either way, she and Prince William aren’t expected to attend the State Banquet later that evening.
She hasn’t been seen in an official capacity since early August and hasn’t been seen at all in public since the pregnancy was confirmed on September 8.
Since then, she’s canceled a number of royal engagements, including a solo visit that was planned for Malta. She would have been representing Queen Elizabeth by herself for the first time.
The sources said that the Duchess’s attendance at the royal engagement will be decided soon before it happens.
“Morning sickness can come and go quite frequently and as this event is two weeks away, we will not know how she will be until much nearer the time,” the sources said.
“But fingers crossed.”
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