Prince Charles "thrilled" to become a grandfather

Prince Charles says he is "thrilled" to become a grandfather.

The Duke of Cornwall gave his first public reaction to the news of his daughter-in-law Kate's pregnancy at the launch of Sir Ranulph Fiennes' Antarctic expedition.

"I'm thrilled, marvelous," he said to the media before boarding HMS Belfast in London, reports BBC. "It's a very nice thought to become a grandfather in my old age, if I can say so."

The news of Duchess Kate's pregnancy emerged after she was admitted to the hospital for severe morning sickness or hyperemesis gravidarum on Monday.

Kate was released from the hospital Thursday and she was seen leaving with her husband Prince William.

Officials from St. James's Palace have said the duchess is not yet 12 weeks pregnant with the couple's first child.