It’s going to be a happy summer for Kate Middleton and Prince William.  The Duchess of Cambridge is due to give birth to the couple’s first child in July.

The simple announcement was made on their official website today.  It also revealed that the Duchess’ severe morning sickness is improving after her hospital stay last month.

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Whether male or female, the newest Royal will enjoy a suitably royal honorific.  Queen Elizabeth recently declared that all of William’s children, regardless of gender, will have a similar title.  A son will be called His Royal Highness, Prince [name]; a daughter Her Royal Highness, Princess [name].

The London Gazette recently published the following formal announcement.

“The Queen has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 31 December 2012 to declare that all the children of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales should have and enjoy the style, title and attribute of Royal Highness with the titular dignity of Prince or Princess prefixed to their Christian names or with such other titles of honour.”

This decree supersedes the last declaration on the matter, which was made by King George V.  He said that only the eldest son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales could hold the title Prince; younger sons would be called Sir, while daughters would have the title Lady.

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Jacintha Saldanha had a recent history of depression, and attempted suicide twice last winter, say sources.

The King Edward VII Hospital nurse committed suicide on Dec. 7th after handling a prank call regarding Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, who was hospitalized with acute morning sickness.   Local reports from her native Mangalore, India claim that Saldanha was hospitalized after attempting to kill herself last year during a family visit to her native country over the holidays.  She survived, only to make another attempt at ending her life nine days later, by throwing herself off a building. Following the second suicide attempt, Saldanha received psychiatric care at Father Muller Medical College in Mangalore.  Doctors prescribed antidepressants.

Kate Middleton Hospital Prank Call:  Jacintha Saldanha’s Family “Devastated” By Her Death

The nurse was found dead a few days after handling a prank call from Aussie radio DJs Mel Grieg and Michael Christian, who were (badly) impersonating Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles.  Saldanha put the call through to Middleton’s nurse, who unwittingly revealed sensitive medical information about the Duchess’ condition.   The three suicide notes left by Saldanha suggest that she was under pressure by hospital staff for her role in the incident, and may have been “reprimanded by colleagues” via email.

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Grieg and Christian have apologized for their hoax.  They are currently in hiding after their radio station, 2DayFM, received death threats against them.

Meanwhile, Scotland Yard has submitted a file of information to the Crown Prosecution Service.  CPS, analagous to the District Attorney in the United States, will determine whether any criminal offenses were committed in relation to the call.

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Jacintha Saldanha was laid to rest today after a funeral service in her native India.  Her husband, Benedict Barboza and her two children, Junal and Lisha, accompanied her body from London for a service at the Our Lady Of Health Church in Shirva.

The King Edward VII Hospital nurse is believed to have committed suicide after a prank call to the hospital where the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, was being treated for acute morning sickness.  Saldanha transferred the call from two Australian DJs posing as members of the Royal Family to the ward nurse who was caring for the Duchess.

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Three days later, she was found dead in hospital staff living quarters.  She had hanged herself with a scarf, and also had injuries to her wrists.  Three notes were found with her body; a family member speculated that she may have tried to kill herself multiple times before succeeding.  According to IBN Live, one of the notes was particularly critical of her colleagues, seemingly refuting hospital administrators who claimed they had supported and reassured Saldanha after the incident, and placed no blame on her.  A spokeswoman said they had been “clear that there were no disciplinary issues in this matter.”

Royal Radio Hoax:  Jacintha Saldanha Left A Suicide Note

As Scotland Yard continues its investigation into Saldanha’s death, her family has presented the hospital with a list of questions they want answered.    Her husband and children are expected to stay in Shirva for the holidays.

The two prankster DJs, Mel Grieg and Michael Christian of Sydney’s 2DayFM, are in hiding after the station received death threats against them.   Their show has been cancelled “until further notice.”

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An inquest held yesterday in London revealed that Jacintha Saldanha was found hanged at King Edward VII hospital staff quarters.

Investigators also revealed that Saldanha had injuries to her wrists, and had left behind three suicide notes.   Detective James Harman further elaborated:

“At this time there are no suspicious circumstances apparent to me in relation to this death.

“There are a number of emails that are of relevance in helping us establish what may have led to this death and we are also looking at the deceased’s telephone contacts.  Detectives spoke to a number of witnesses, family, friends, colleagues in order to establish anything that led or may have contributed to this tragic death.”

The body of the nurse, who transferred the prank phone call to the hospital where the Duchess of Cambridge was being treated for severe morning sickness, was discovered last week by colleagues.

Two memorial services are planned, one in the family’s hometown of Bristol, and another at Westminster Cathedral in London.

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King Edward VII Hospital nurse Jacintha Saldanha wrote a suicide note before taking her own life, reports the London Evening Standard.

Saldanha, who worked at the hospital where the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, received care for severe morning sickness, unwittingly transferred a prank call by two Australian radio DJs impersonating members of the Royal Family.   The nurse on the Duchess’ ward then provided sensitive medical information, which was broadcast over the air.  Saldanha was found dead in staff living quarters a few days later.

Member of Parliament Keith Vaz is helping Saldanha’s family – husband Ben Barboza and two teenage children – discover more details about what led to Saldanha’s death.   Vaz met with hospital officials today to demand an in-depth investigation.  He said:

“The family want to know everything. All the facts, fully and clearly.  The hospital needs to be more proactive, a full inquiry is needed and the family need to be included in that.

“They were in the dark about the hoax call. They hadn’t watched the news or seen anything about it. They didn’t know they were involved until after Jacintha’s death.”

Although the contents of the suicide note have not been released, Scotland Yard says the results of Saldanha’s autopsy will be revealed tomorrow.

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How generously is Life & Style lining the pockets of royal insider Jessica Hay?  The former schoolmate of the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, has spilled more information about the royal bun in the oven to the gossip rag.   She says she Duchess and her husband, Prince William, will welcome the future king or queen of England in July 2013.   She told L&S:

“[Kate]’s due in July, which is a month full of significance for William.  His mother, Diana, was born on July 1, and his parents got married on July 29.”

This estimate coincides with the widespread speculation  that Middleton is about seven to eight weeks pregnant.

 Kate Middleton Hospital Prank Call: Jacintha Saldanha’s Family “Devastated” By Her Death

The Duchess’ battle with hyperemesis gravidarum – aka severe morning sickness – isn’t over yet.  Over the weekend, she reportedly became ill again, enough that William cancelled a scheduled appearance to stay with her.   Although regular, run of the mill morning sickness is worst during the first trimester, Middleton’s condition sometimes stays with women through their entire pregnancy.    For her sake, let’s hope that isn’t the case!

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The death of Jacintha Saldanha, a nurse at the hospital where Kate Middleton was treated for severe morning sickness, remains a mystery.  As the story continues to unfold, Benedict Barboza has voiced his grief over the loss of his wife.   Saldana was found dead on Friday in hospital staff lodgings, in a suspected suicide.   Barboza posted this Facebook message:

“I am devastated with the tragic loss of my beloved wife Jacintha in tragic circumstances, She will be laid to rest in Shirva, India.”

A few days before her death, Saldanha answered a call to King James VII Hospital from two Australian radio hosts who were jokingly trying to speak with Middleton. The nurse transferred the call to the Duchess’ ward, where another nurse provided detailed information about her health status.

 King James VII Hospital Receptionist Who Connected Kate Middleton’s Prank Caller Found Dead

Saldanha had two children, a daughter Lisha (14) and a son Junal (16).   A native of India, she had lived in England for more than a decade.

Kate Middleton’s Nurse Tricked By Radio Hosts Into Revealing Details On Duchess’ Condition

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 A receptionist who connected two Australian radio DJ prank callers with Kate Middleton‘s personal nurse two days ago has been found dead in London.  The body of nurse Jacintha Saldanha was found at her residence near King James VII Hospital, where she had worked for four years.

Saldanha was working the switchboard when Mel Grieg and Michael Christian of Australian radio station 2Day FM called the hospital where the Duchess of Cambridge was receiving treatment for severe morning sickness.   Using fake accents and identifying themselves as Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles, the radio hosts asked to speak to Middleton.  They were transferred to her ward, where the nurse on duty provided sensitive, detailed information about her patient’s condition.

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The Daily Mail reports that the nurse, who lived in Bristol with her partner and two children but stayed in London while working, was found at her London flat.  Emergency personnel were called, but were unable to revive her.   Saldanha is suspected to have committed suicide.

2Day FM’s parent company said that Grieg and Christian have been suspended “until further notice out of respect for what can only be described as a tragedy.”

For their part, the hospital issued a statement asserting that she was a “first class nurse” and expressing their sadness at her death.

‘It is with very deep sadness that we confirm the tragic death of a member of our nursing staff, Jacintha Saldanha.  Jacintha has worked at the King Edward VII’s Hospital for more than four years. She was an excellent nurse and well-respected and popular with all of her colleagues.  We can confirm that Jacintha was recently the victim of a hoax call to the hospital. The hospital had been supporting her throughout this difficult time.’

St. James Palace said that the Duke and Duchess were “deeply saddened” about Saldanha’s death.  The spokesman said that the couple had expressed no concern or made a complaint about her, and instead offered “full and heartfelt support to the nurses involved and hospital staff at all times.”  The Duchess left the hospital yesterday after four days of treatment for hyperemesis gravidarum.

An investigation into the cause of Saldanha’s death will be ongoing.

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The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, was discharged from the hospital on Thursday morning after four days of treatment for severe morning sickness.

Middleton’s husband, Prince William, posed with his smiling wife, who carried a bouquet of yellow roses and said she was “feeling much better.”   William escorted her to their car and left.

St. James Palace issued the following statement on her status:

‘The Duchess of Cambridge has been discharged from the King Edward VII Hospital and will now head to Kensington Palace for a period of rest.  Their Royal Highnesses would like to thank the staff at the hospital for the care and treatment the Duchess has received.’

Duchess Kate’s father in law, Prince Charles, told reporters that he was “very glad” she was getting better, adding, “It’s a very nice thought to become a grandfather in my old age.”

Middleton was hospitalized on Monday after a weekend of severe nausea and vomiting.  She was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum, an uncommon condition of pregnancy that can result in dehydration and malnutrition.  She’s made a steady recovery over the last few days, as confirmed by a nurse who was tricked by an Australian radio station into revealing details about Her Royal Highness’ condition.

More photos of Kate and Wills leaving the hospital after the jump.

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A nurse at King Edward VII Hospital is bound to lose her job after revealing details on pregnant Kate Middleton‘s condition to two radio DJs pretending to be members of the Royal Family.  The Duchess has been hospitalized with severe morning sickness since Monday.

Mel Greig and Michael Christian of the Australian radio show Summer 30 prank called the hospital using fake accents and pretending to be Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles.  “Surprised” when they were connected to the Duchess’ ward, the DJs went on with the joke.

“I’m just after my granddaughter, Kate. I want to see how her little tummy bug is going,” said one of them.

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Shockingly, Middledon’s personal nurse provided plenty of information.  She said:

“She’s sleeping at the moment, and she has had an uneventful night and sleep is good for her.  She’s been getting some fluids to rehydrate her because she was quite dehydrated when she came in, but she’s stable at the moment…She hasn’t had any retching … since I’ve been on duty.”

As soon as the news came out, the hospital went into damage control mode.  Chief Executive John Lofthouse issued this statement:

“King Edward VII’s Hospital deeply regrets this incident.  This was a foolish prank call that we all deplore.  We take patient confidentiality extremely seriously, and we are now reviewing our telephone protocols.”

Greig and Christian also issued an apology, saying,

“We thought we’d be hung up on as soon as they heard our terrible accents.  We’re very sorry if we’ve caused any issues, and we’re glad to hear that Kate is doing well. We wish Kate and her family all the best.”

Middleton will remain in the hospital for a third night.  Prince William was back at the hospital to visit with his wife today; her mother, Carole Middleton, and siblings, James and Pippa Middleton also stopped by.

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A full transcript of the Summer 30 call is available here.

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