Kate Middleton feeling better, leaves hospital
Kate Middleton was discharged from the hospital today after a four-day stay for pregnancy-related treatment – but not before a prank telephone call by two Australian radio personalities succeeded in prying information about the royal from a nurse.
Pregnant Kate Middleton was discharged from King Edward VII hospital today, after four days of treatment for acute morning sickness. Here, Ms. Middleton leaves the hospital with Prince William, right, Dec. 6, 2012.
Paul Hackett/Reuters
LONDON
The Duchess of Cambridge left a London hospital today after being treated for acute morning sickness related to her pregnancy.
Clutching a small bouquet of yellow roses, the former Kate Middleton smiled and posed briefly for a photograph alongside her husband, Prince William, before leaving King Edward VII Hospital. She stepped delicately into a waiting car. The Mirror quoted her as saying: "I'm feeling much better."
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The couple's office said she would head to Kensington Palace in London for rest. She had been in the hospital since Dec. 3. Officials from St. James's Palace have said the duchess is not yet 12 weeks pregnant with the couple's first child.
William visited his wife at the hospital every day, while media from around the world camped outside, seeking any news on the royal pregnancy.
Royal officials announced Dec. 3 the Duchess was pregnant, their hand forced by her admission into the hospital.
But the stay of one of the world's most recognized women was complicated by a breach of her privacy.
Two Australian radio disc jockeys impersonating Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles placed a prank call to the hospital early Dec. 4, and persuaded an unwitting nurse to tell them all about the Duchess' condition.
The duchess is married to the queen's grandson, Prince William.
Australian radio personalities Mel Greig and Michael Christian later apologized for the hoax — sheepishly noting that they were surprised that the call was put through and that their Australian accents were not detected.
The royals have been the target of hoax callers before. Canadian disc jockey Pierre Brassard telephoned the queen in 1995, pretending to be Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien.
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In a conversation that lasted 15 minutes, Brassard managed to elicit a promise from the monarch that that she would try to influence Quebec's referendum on proposals to break away from Canada.