- .Her Majesty also admitted on trip to Lake District today that she didn't mind what sex the baby will be
- .Queen's frank conversation on royal birth was with Cumbria schoolgirl Fay Batey outside her school
- .Brave 10-year-old had asked the Queen: 'Would you like it to be a boy or a girl?'
- .'I don’t really mind but I’m going on holiday soon so I would like the baby to hurry up and arrive soon,’ she replied
Impatient: The Queen, pictured smiling in Cumbria today, admitted she would like the royal baby to 'hurry up' before she goes to Balmoral
The Queen is growing impatient to meet the royal baby, admitting to a schoolgirl today: 'I’m going on holiday soon so I would like the baby to hurry up and arrive.’
Fay Batey, 10, asked Her Majesty: ‘Would you like it to be a boy or a girl?’, and the 87-year-old monarch said she 'didn't really mind' as long as it came before she heads to Balmoral in nine days time.
The Duchess of Cambridge is already believed to be around five days overdue, so the future king or queen's arrival is imminent.
Her majesty made the comment while on a series of engagements in the Lake District.
Yesterday the Duchess of Cornwall gave the strongest hint yet that a new royal baby will be here soon, telling well-wishers to expect a bundle of joy by the ‘end of the week’.
The Palace will make an announcement as soon as the Duchess goes into labour, while the world's media remains camped outside the London hospital where Kate will give birth.
Today hundreds of well-wishers crammed a market square today to catch a glimpse of the Queen on a visit to Cumbria.
Bathed in sunshine, Kendal hung out the bunting as the Queen, accompanied by the Princess Royal, visited the town on the first of a series of engagements in the Lake District.
As the nation awaits the birth of the newest member of the family, the royal visitors were greeted by loud cheers and waving Union flags as they arrived just after 10.30pm from nearby Oxenholme Railway Station.
The Queen, wearing a Stewart Parvin outfit of a green and blue floral dress, a plain green wool crepe coat and a hat by Rachel Trevor-Morgan complete with diamond lily brooch, waved and smiled at the crowds.
They were welcomed to Kendal by Mayor Sylvia Emmott, Westmorland and Lonsdale Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron, and South Lakeland District Council leader Peter Thornton.
The royal visitors then inspected a line of soldiers from the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment at the town’s war memorial.
One of the soldiers appeared overcome by the heat and left the line to sit down briefly on the ground after the Queen had passed.
Mystery: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge do not know if they are having a boy or a girl, which is now believed to be overdue
Visit: Queen Elizabeth II talks to school children from Wiggonby Church of England School, and one of their pupils asked about the future king or queen
Anticipation: Press have been camped outside St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London, for days waiting for the arrival of the royal baby
The royal party also went on a brief walkabout during the 20-minute visit and received two posies from local schoolchildren.
Eight-year-old Harry Coward, from Vicarage Park Primary School, and Amelia Nicholl, nine, from Stramongate Primary School, both in Kendal, gave the Queen yellow, lilac, green and red roses and sweet peas.
Harry said: 'I gave her flowers. She wanted to know how much longer until the summer holidays. I think it was cool.'
Majestic: The Queen walks with businessman Bill Bewley on the bank of Lake Windermere in the sunny Lake District today
On board: Her majesty stood on the deck of the Teal Windermere Lake Cruise ship, at Bowness in Cumbria today
Attire: The Queen was wearing a Stewart Parvin outfit of a green and blue with a hat by Rachel Trevor-Morgan, while her daughter Anne wore bright yellow
Mike Poole, headteacher of Stramongate Primary School, said: 'The Queen was very interested and she mentioned how many local schoolchildren turned out.
'Kendal has done us proud today. It’s been fabulous, the atmosphere.'
The Queen and Anne were presented with a hamper showcasing local produce by Tracey Graham, retail manager of Made In Cumbria.
Having fun: An animated Queen to local residents as she travels on the Teal cruise boat on a glorious day in Cumbria
Ms Graham said: 'She chatted for ages. She was thrilled with the damson gin and said she would be keeping that for herself.'
The royal party were also touring the James Cropper paper mill at Burneside Mill in Kendal, viewing the production process and meeting employees, before the Queen unveiled a plaque to mark the visit.
Later they were due to take a boat trip on Lake Windermere before attending a private luncheon.
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