Duchess of Cambridge returns to public duty after health ordeal

Pregnant British royal Catherine, Duchess Of Cambridge returned to public life on Sunday night (16Dec12) after a bout of ill health to hand out several prestigious sports awards in London.

Prince William's wife has been suffering from a crippling bout of morning sickness, and was hospitalised for several days earlier this month (Dec12).

She cancelled all of her public engagements following her release from the King Edward VII Hospital in London last week (begs10Dec12), including the British premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, in a bid to recover.

The Duchess stepped back into the limelight on Sunday when she attended the annual BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony, where she handed out several honours alongside soccer superstar David Beckham.

The sports hero announced Olympic gold medal-winning cyclist Bradley Wiggins as the winner of the revered prize and fellow Olympian Jessica Ennis as the runner-up, while the royal handed the pair their awards.

She also presented Lord Seb Coe, the chairman of the 2012 London Games committee, with a Lifetime Achievement award.