Duchess attends first public event since sickness

Duchess of Cambridge Catherine Middleton made her first public appearance on Sunday night after being hospitalised for morning sickness.

Catherine is pregnant with her first child with Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and cancelled several appearances following her recent illness.

She was released from King Edward VII Hospital in London on December 6 after being treated for Hyperemesis gravidarum.

The condition causes severe nausea and vomiting and can lead to dehydration and weight loss and typically does not ease until 17 to 18 weeks into term.

Palace officials say Catherine is in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Braving cameras, she looked stunning as she presented awards at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony.

She wore an emerald green skirt suit and appeared “healthy and strong”, according to the Associated Press.

Catherine presented two awards at the London event: the Lifetime Achievement Award to Chairman of the British Olympic Association Sebastian Coe, and the Sports Personality of the Year award to Olympic cyclist Bradley Wiggins.

The appearance marked the first time she has been seen publicly since the apparent suicide of a nurse at King Edward VII Hospital.

Jacintha Saldanha was found dead days after she reportedly put through a call from two Australian radio jockeys impersonating Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles.