The Duke of Cambridge will leave his wife behind at home while he flies to New Zealand next week.

Duke of Cambridge

Duke of Cambridge

The 35-year-old royal will jet across to the other side of the world on behalf of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth to attend the country's Commemoration for the Battle of Passchendaele on October 12, but his spouse Duchess Catherine will remain in the UK as she's still battling with morning sickness.

Kensington Palace announced the news on its official Twitter account on Monday (02.10.17) night, writing: "The Duke of Cambridge, representing HM The Queen, will attend the New Zealand Commemoration for the Battle of Passchendaele on 12th October. (sic)"

It's not known how long the duke will spend in New Zealand but it's believed he won't be gone for long as he'll no doubt want to get back to his four-year-old son George - who has just started school in London - and his two-year-old daughter Charlotte, as well as his pregnant wife.

William and Catherine revealed earlier this month they were expecting their third child and confirmed the royal was suffering from acute morning sickness so had to pull out of some royal engagements.

A Kensington Palace statement read: "Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their third child. The Queen and members of both families are delighted with the news.

"As with her previous two pregnancies, The Duchess is suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum. Her Royal Highness will no longer carry out her planned engagement at the Hornsey Road Children's Centre in London today. The Duchess is being cared for at Kensington Palace."

Shortly after the statement was released, William's brother Prince Harry admitted Catherine was "OK".

He said: "I haven't seen her for a while but I think she's OK."