Kate was reportedly too sick with hyperemesis gravidarum to attend an art opening for one of her charities, The Art Room, in London overnight where transvestite artist Grayson Perry opened a new education initiative which hopes to use art to enrich the lives of disadvantaged children.
While she hoped to be there to open the new Ladbroke Grove centre, the ninth centre The Art Room has established, she had to cancel her appearance due to her poor condition.
“Duchess Catherine continues to suffer from the effects of hyperemesis gravidarum and was unable to attend this event today in person,” a Kensington Palace spokeswoman said.
“The decision to undertake engagements is being kept under review on a case by case basis.”
Since announcing her second pregnancy on September 8 the Duchess, formerly known as Kate Middleton, has been undergoing treatment at Kensington Palace for HG, an illness which also blighted her first pregnancy with Prince George.
As a patron of the Art Room Organisation since 2012 Kate, who is thought to be around 10 weeks pregnant, did offer a statement expressing how sorry she was to have missed the event.
“I wanted to share my congratulations with you all for the launch of the new Clore Art Room. I was looking forward to joining you all for this particularly special day as part of The Clore Duffield Foundation’s 50th Anniversary year,” she said.
“I am truly sorry that I cannot be with you all today as you celebrate this milestone. As patron of The Art Room I feel great pride to see the work that the charity is doing. Vulnerable children flourish in the safe havens that The Art Room provides; this highlights just how important it is to support children at a time when they most need help and support.
“This partnership with The Clore Duffield Foundation is a significant moment for The Art Room. As I cannot thank the foundation in person today, I would like to extend my thanks to Dame Vivien and her Foundation for supporting a cause so close to my heart, and making such a transformational facility available to the children of Barlby Primary School.
“It really is hugely exciting to look to a future with even more Art Rooms, where the lives of many more challenging and vulnerable children will be transformed. I hope that you have a wonderful afternoon. My sincere apologies for not being able to join you but I hope that I will have an opportunity to visit Barlby and see the Clore Art Room soon.”
While palace officials confirmed earlier this week that some engagements for the Duchess had been pencilled in the diary for October it seems officials are doing the wise thing and letting the pregnant mother-of-one take her time to rest and recover.
The 32-year-old has missed several engagements over the last month including Prince Harry’s Invictus Games and his 30th birthday celebrations.
The Duchess was also expected to mark her first official solo engagement to Malta in mid-September, a landmark affair in the career of any British royal, but was too sick to make the trip and Prince William chivalrously went in her place.
While visiting the tiny European island William described his wife’s condition as “so-so” and added: “She’s up and down at the moment.”
The Duchess made her last public appearance in August with Princes William and Harry.
Kate last appeared in public in August when she opened the ceramic poppy installation at the tower of London with Prince William and Prince Harry.
