Kate Middleton pregnant: First photo!

I know the world is somewhat divided on the beauty of Kate Middleton. But my mom (who, if you haven't noticed, is fast becoming a main character here at Celebrity Candy) and I agree that she is absolutely stunning.

We've been eager to see how the famously uber-thin Duchess of Cambridge will look, and what she'll wear, as she grows. And this first photo of her really showing does not disappoint!

She's photo'd here visiting Hope House, an addiction recovery centre for women, earlier today in London. She chose this pretty grey MaxMara wrap dress with a high belt — almost accentuating the belly — for the occasion.

Though my mom and I love the Duchess, her popularity has been a little on the decline this month, thanks to Booker Prize author Hilary Mantel's recent remarks for the London Review of Books.

Mantel went off on the Duchess for being "plastic" and simply a "shop-window mannequin" for the royal family. She said the Duchess was the perfect choice for Prince William because she's "irreproachable: as painfully thin as anyone could wish, without quirks, without oddities, without the risk of the emergence of character." Yikes! But, even I have to admit Mantel kind of has a point (especially relative to the historic royals that Mantel is famous for portraying) — mainly, that there is nothing overtly flawed about Kate.

It was a scathing commentary on the Duchess, but, unfortunately for Kate fans like me and my mom, it's worth a read (as is everything Hilary Mantel pens) — particularly because it's creating so much buzz all over the world. Check it out here. 

In the meantime, Kate looks amazing, and I still adore her. You?

Read more about the Duchess' pregnancy!

Love!
xo Haley-O