Prince Charles is ready to break out the pink balloons! Or, at least he’s hoping to. During a Thursday, April 30 visit to Windsor Castle to celebrate the 1st Batallion Welsh Guards’ centennial, Prince William‘s father made his dreams for a granddaughter public. And sooner rather than later, as the future king’s daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton, is already one week overdue.
Speaking to military veterans in the English countryside of Berkshire, the Duke of Cornwall, 66, joked with a 100-year-old vet about raising daughters. Lynda Bateman, whose father, Eric Jones, is the Welsh Guards’ oldest surviving veteran, was on hand for the chat. “My father introduced me as his daughter and Prince Charles asked how many daughters he had,” Bateman told reporters. “My father said ‘One — and that’s enough’ and Charles laughed and said ‘And we’’e hoping for a granddaughter!'”
Until Middleton, 33, and William, 32, welcome their second child, the couple is taking special care to spoil their firstborn, Prince George, before he becomes a big brother. To the surprise of royal watchers (and Us!) mom-to-be Middleton drove her 21-month-old to swimming lessons on Tuesday, which was five days after her April 23 due date. On Wednesday, Middleton and her husband privately celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary, and were spotted driving to Buckingham Palace.
Meanwhile, the parking restrictions outside of St. Mary’s Hospital’s Lindo Wing, where Middleton will give birth, have been extended to run through May 5. As the world awaits the birth of the new royal baby, the expectant parents are sympathetic to those royalists who are waiting outside the hospital for the impending arrival. Also on Tuesday, the couple sent tea and pastries to well-wishers with a maybe-telling hint about their baby’s gender. On the pastry boxes: Little pink ribbons.
Stay with Us Weekly for all the latest updates on Royal Baby number two, including an exclusive livestream of the scene outside St. Mary’s Hospital once the Duchess goes into labor, frequent updates from royal experts and Us staffers in London, the big baby reveal and much more!