Prince William and his wife Kate are expecting their second child and the Queen is reportedly "delighted" with the news.
Kensington Palace on Monday announced the Duchess of Cambridge was suffering from acute morning sickness as she did with baby Prince George.
Kate was forced to cancel a planned visit to Oxford and is being treated by doctors at home in London.
"The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that the Duchess ... is expecting their second child," the palace said in a brief statement.
"The Queen and members of both families are delighted with the news."
It is believed Kate is not yet 12 weeks pregnant.
Palace officials in 2012 chose to reveal the Duchess was expecting when she was just a few weeks pregnant after she was admitted to hospital with severe morning sickness.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Monday was quick to congratulate the couple.
"People across the country were delighted to welcome the Duke and Duchess and young Prince George to our shores earlier this year," Mr Abbott said in a statement.
"This is an exciting time for the Cambridges and I look forward to welcoming their growing family back to Australia."
The birth of Prince George in July 2013 was seen as a boost to monarchists Down Under.
National director of the Australian Republican Movement, David Morris admitted at the time he was "very depressed" by what he saw as over-the-top media coverage.
Speculation that George might soon have a brother or sister on the way kicked off in mid-April when the Cambridges were touring New Zealand.
Prince William reportedly told a woman who'd made a lace shawl for Prince George "you might have to make another one soon".
The remark sent the British tabloids into a frenzy.
But Kate scotched that rumour almost immediately by drinking wine at a vineyard and taking a white-knuckle jet boat ride.
However, in mid-July a bookmaker suspended betting on a pregnancy announcement amid renewed speculation a second baby was on the way.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's next child will become fourth in line to the throne behind Prince George.
William's brother Prince Harry will be bumped down another rung to fifth in the line of succession.
The news of Kate's pregnancy comes as the United Kingdom faces a potential split with Scotland voting on independence on September 18.
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