A Royal Pregnancy! Duke and Duchess announce that Kate is pregnant

Huzzah! The wait is over. The bump no gossip-rag figment. This afternoon, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sent the nation into paroxysms with the announcement that - after one and a half years of marriage - Kate is expecting her first child.

The Duchess was taken to hospital this morning complaining of acute morning sickness.

And later St James's Palace said in a statement "Their Royal Highnesses the The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting a baby".

The internet promptly erupted with with speculation and polls are already up and running (ahem, here) on what the royal baby should be called.

Then there's the pressing question of when the national holiday should be announced. And what maternity-wear the Duchess will favour. And whether there'll be a spike in joyous civil baby-making to follow Kate's ever fashionable lead.

Frankly it's an awful lot to take in on a Monday afternoon. But once we stop feeling giddy we promise to try.