The confirmation of Kate's pregnancy caps a jam-packed year of highs and lows for the young royals.
They have traveled the world extensively as part of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee celebrations and weathered the embarrassment of a nude photos scandal, after a tabloid published topless images of the duchess.
Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine, said the news ended a year that saw the royal family riding high in popular esteem after celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II's 60 years on the throne.
"People enjoyed the royal romance last year and now there's this. It's just a good news story amid all the doom and gloom," he said.