The Queen is "delighted" with the news that she is expecting a new great-grandchild

Queen Elizabeth II

The Queen and members of The Royal Family are "delighted with the news" that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting their third child, Kensington Palace says.

Both The Royal Family and the Middleton Family will now be eagerly awaiting the new arrival, who will be fifth-in-line to the throne when they are due next year.

The Queen will not make any comment publicly about the news today, as she and Prince Philip open the new Queensferry Crossing in Edinburgh.

The announcement of Catherine's pregnancy has been made earlier than was planned due to the Duchess suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum – a form of acute morning sickness.

Only one on 100 women contract the illness. However, the Duchess has suffered from it during each of her pregnancies.

When the royal baby arrives, he or she will become fifth-in-line to the throne, pushing Prince Harry back to sixth-in-line.

Kensington Palace released a statement this morning which read in full: "Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their third child.

"The Queen and members of both families are delighted with the news.
"As with her previous pregnancies, The Duchess is suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

"Her Royal Highness will no longer carry out her planned engagement at the Hornsey Road Children's Centre in London today.

"The Duchess is being cared for at Kensington Palace."