While the rest of the world was learning the news that Kate Middleton was pregnant and suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, she was spending the day being taken care of by her mom, Carole Middleton. The Duchess of Cambridge’s pregnancy was announced on Monday, Sept. 4 and the announcement came earlier than expected because Kensington Palace officials wanted to be truthful about the reason why Kate had to cancel a royal engagement that morning.

Carole, 62, was seen leaving Kensington Palace later in the evening on Monday in a black Land Rover after she spent the day caring for her pregnant daughter, the Daily Mail reported. Kate suffered from the acute form of morning sickness throughout her two previous pregnancies with four-year-old son Prince George and two-year-old daughter Princess Charlotte, and she even had to be hospitalized back in 2012 during her first pregnancy.

kate middleton and carole middleton
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(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum include dehydration, vitamin and mineral deficit, and weight loss through frequent nausea and vomiting. While morning sickness is a normal symptom of pregnancy, it eventually subsides after 12 weeks while hyperemesis gravidarum persists until about 20 weeks. It is unclear how severe Kate’s symptoms are during this pregnancy, but she was hospitalized for an unknown illness last month and now fans are speculating that it was because of hyperemesis gravidarum.

While Kensington Palace has yet to provide an update on Kate’s condition, royal insiders revealed that Kate is hoping that she will feel better before Thursday, Sept. 7 — which is Prince George’s first day of school at Thomas’ Battersea primary school.

“It’s an important day in a child’s life and like any mother she will do her utmost to be there,” an aide explained. “Unfortunately the Duchess won’t be able to make a decision until nearer the time, when she sees how she is feeling. If she can be there, she will.”

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