The Duchess of Cambridge, or Kate Middleton as she is more usually known, was released from hospital today after a three night stay.
Admitted on Monday for treatment for Hyperemesis Gravidarum — an acute form of morning sickness — Kate left the Edward VII hospital in central London at 10:45 am carrying a bouquet of yellow flowers and accompanied by Prince William.
In response to inquiries about her health from the waiting press, Kate smiled and simply nodded before the couple was driven away.
A St. James’ Palace spokesman said :
“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.”
Incidentally Kensington Palace, which contains a number of luxurious apartments, was also the London residence of Prince William’s late mother, Princess Diana Spencer.
Kate’s discharge from the hospital comes amid security concerns after two Australian DJ’s from “2Day FM” — Mel Grieg and Michael Christian — managed to obtain confidential updates on Kate’s condition by hoax calling the hospital.
On Tuesday, the DJ’s impersonated Queen Elizabeth II and the Prince of Wales using laughably bad English accents and the sound of fake corgis barking in the background yet were still put through to a nurse.
Although the pair apologized, as did a spokesperson for the radio station, reportedly the DJs are still promoting the audio on a website and Twitter as the “Biggest Royal Prank Ever” and the “Prank That The World is Talking About.”
In the wake of the security breach, the UK newspaper The Telegraph reports that Australia’s Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has received widespread complaints.
It was also reported that almost two-thirds of Australians considered the hoax “childish and embarrassing” in an online poll conducted by Fairfax Media. Some online comments called for the DJ’s to be fired, while a minority found it funny.
One commenter wrote :
“I’m a republican, but do you yahoos really have nothing better to do with your show than harass a sick pregnant woman and her family whilst she’s in hospital? Dregs of your profession, the pair of you.”
Back in London, John Lofthouse, chief executive at the Edward VII hospital, blasted the hoax, saying :
“I think this whole thing is pretty deplorable. Our nurses are caring, professional people trained to look after patients, not to cope with journalistic trickery of this sort.”
As for the Royal couple, St James’s Palace said in a statement :
“Their Royal Highnesses would like to thank the staff at the hospital for the care and treatment the Duchess has received.”