The experiences of Princess Diana and Catherine, Princess of Wales (Kate Middleton) during pregnancy—though separated by decades—highlight how medical understanding, royal expectations, and public awareness have evolved. Both women, married to future kings, faced significant health challenges during pregnancy, particularly severe morning sickness, medically known as hyperemesis gravidarum.
While the public initially celebrated their pregnancies with enthusiasm, their behind-the-scenes realities reflected the physical and emotional complexities of royal motherhood.
Princess Diana’s Pregnancy Experience
Princess Diana, who married then-Prince Charles in July 1981, announced her first pregnancy in November of the same year. At the time, she was just 20 years old and relatively new to royal life. Though her pregnancy was received with global excitement, Diana experienced what were reported as serious physical and emotional difficulties throughout.
According to Diana’s authorized biographer Andrew Morton, whose book Diana: Her True Story is based on recordings and interviews with the late princess, she endured persistent morning sickness during her first pregnancy. Morton’s accounts describe Diana’s challenges with adjusting to royal expectations while managing her health, including fainting episodes and symptoms associated with severe nausea【BBC Archives】【Morton, 1992】.
In January 1982, Diana was reported to have fallen down a staircase at Sandringham while pregnant with Prince William. According to public reports, she sustained some bruising but did not suffer any serious harm. The Royal Household did not release extensive details at the time, and discussions about Diana’s emotional health and personal challenges only came to light later through authorized biographies and media retrospectives【The Guardian】【BBC Timeline】.
Advancements in Understanding: Kate Middleton and Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Catherine, Princess of Wales, has spoken publicly about her own experiences with hyperemesis gravidarum—a rare but severe form of morning sickness—during all three of her pregnancies. This condition, characterized by excessive nausea and vomiting, can lead to dehydration, weight loss, and hospitalization in serious cases.
According to NHS UK, hyperemesis gravidarum affects about 1-3% of pregnancies and is more intense than typical morning sickness. Symptoms can include persistent vomiting, low blood pressure, and nutritional deficiencies【NHS UK】.
Kate’s condition required hospitalization during her first pregnancy with Prince George in 2012. St. James’s Palace (now Kensington Palace) issued an official statement at the time confirming that the Duchess was receiving treatment at King Edward VII’s Hospital in London. As a result, the pregnancy was announced before the traditional 12-week mark, due to her medical needs and absence from public engagements【BBC News, 2012】.
She continued to experience hyperemesis gravidarum during her subsequent pregnancies with Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, but with additional support and early intervention, she was able to manage her condition while fulfilling many of her public duties.
Raising Awareness and Supporting Early Childhood Development
Princess Catherine’s experiences informed her broader advocacy for maternal health and early childhood development. In 2021, she launched the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, a long-term initiative focused on promoting the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of children from birth to age five.
The campaign, called “Shaping Us,” emphasizes how early childhood experiences impact lifelong outcomes. According to research supported by the foundation, the first five years of a child’s life are critical for brain development, emotional regulation, and future academic performance【Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood】.
In an open letter published in 2023, the Princess described the work as her “life’s mission,” encouraging public engagement with the science of childhood development. Her involvement reflects a growing understanding of the intersection between maternal health and early child outcomes—an area where medical and psychological science has advanced significantly since Princess Diana’s era.
Shifting Attitudes Over Time
Comparing the pregnancy experiences of Princess Diana and Princess Catherine also reveals how attitudes toward maternal health have changed over the past four decades. In the early 1980s, symptoms such as severe nausea were often dismissed or under-acknowledged, especially in public discourse.
By contrast, Kate Middleton’s condition was met with broad public empathy and led to increased media coverage of hyperemesis gravidarum. Health organizations, parenting networks, and the medical community have used her story to raise awareness of the condition, ensuring that affected women receive timely medical care and social support.
A 2018 article in The Lancet cited Kate’s openness as one reason for increased awareness and understanding of pregnancy-related illness, especially among healthcare providers and the general public.
The Royal Family’s Response and Support
Both women were subject to intense media attention during their pregnancies, with public appearances scrutinized closely. However, there is a notable difference in the level of medical transparency and institutional support between Diana’s and Kate’s pregnancies.
Diana’s challenges were not widely acknowledged until years later, while Catherine received public well-wishes and professional medical attention almost immediately following her diagnosis. Kensington Palace kept the public updated during her hospital stays, and Prince William adjusted his royal schedule to support her recovery.
Parenting in the Spotlight
Despite their differing experiences, both Princess Diana and Princess Catherine have been recognized for their dedication to their children and their efforts to protect them from excessive media exposure. Diana was known for breaking royal precedent by being highly hands-on with Prince William and Prince Harry, often taking them on royal tours and participating in school events.
Similarly, Princess Catherine has prioritized normalcy in her children’s lives. She and Prince William have emphasized family routines, education, and limited press access to preserve their children’s privacy. This balance of royal duty and modern parenting has helped shape public perception of the future of the monarchy.
A Lasting Legacy in Maternal and Child Health
Today, the personal health journeys of both Princess Diana and Princess Catherine continue to influence conversations about maternal well-being, emotional resilience, and the importance of early intervention in pregnancy-related conditions.
While Diana’s story has been largely framed through the lens of historical retrospection, Catherine’s experience is actively shaping policy conversations and public health advocacy. Her continued work through the Royal Foundation ensures that the challenges she faced are being translated into tangible solutions for families across the UK and beyond.
Conclusion
The pregnancies of Princess Diana and Princess Catherine underscore the evolving nature of how royal mothers are supported—by the palace, the public, and the broader healthcare system. Diana’s difficulties during her first pregnancy revealed the personal challenges hidden behind royal protocol, while Catherine’s health journey helped bring serious pregnancy conditions like hyperemesis gravidarum into the public spotlight.
As the Royal Family continues to modernize and connect with the public on issues that matter, the personal experiences of its members—when responsibly shared—can foster greater awareness, compassion, and support for women and families everywhere.
Verified Sources:
- BBC News – Kate Middleton Health
- NHS UK – Hyperemesis Gravidarum
- Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood
- Royal.uk – Official Royal Family Website
- The Guardian – Princess Diana Legacy
