Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

Britain's Duchess of Cambridge received a crystal-encrusted clutch bag from Malta's First Lady.

The 32-year-old royal pulled out of her first official solo tour to Malta last weekend due to severe morning sickness but her husband Prince William stepped in for her and was bombarded with gifts for his pregnant wife.

Michelle Muscat wanted the brunette beauty to have something extra special, so she splashed out on a midnight minaudière by designer Sunita Mukhi.

The delicate handbag was covered in Swarovski crystals and featured the white Maltese cross, according to Us Weekly magazine.

William appeared to enjoy his time on the Southern European island and passed on a message from Catherine, who remained at Kensington Palace in London with their 14-month-old son Prince George.

He said: "Catherine has asked me to say how very sorry she is that she couldn't be the one to pass on The Queen's greetings to you all. She was looking forward to coming here, and I know she hopes very much that she will be able to visit in the future."

Catherine, who was known as Kate Middleton before she married William in 2011, was forced to announce her pregnancy earlier this month after she pulled out of a visit to Oxford University due to the sickness.

However, the pregnancy symptom didn't come as a shock to the Duchess as she suffered the same complication when she was expecting Prince George.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's second child is expected to be welcomed into the world next year.