Prince Charles opened up on the upcoming arrival of his second grandchild on Thursday, revealing that he and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, were "hoping for a granddaughter". Charles was joking with Eric Jones, the oldest surviving member of the Welsh Guard, about the difficulties of raising a daughter when he made the admission.
Charles and Camilla dote on Prince George and Camilla's five grandchildren
Lynda Bateman, who was attending the reception at Windsor Castle with her father Eric said: "My father introduced me as his daughter and Prince Charles asked how many daughters he had.
"My father said 'One – and that’s enough', and Charles laughed and said 'And we’re hoping for a granddaughter!'"
The 66-year-old Prince has made no secret of his love for his first grandchild, young Prince George, who is the first child of his son Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge.
Charles also revealed that he was hoping for a granddaughter when it was announced that the couple were expecting their second child together in September: "I’m happy I’m going to be a grandfather again. I’m looking forward to it – but I hope it will be a girl this time."
Charles was joined by Camilla, the Queen, and the Duke of Edinburgh at the event on Thursday, which presented new Colours to the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, which is celebrating its centenary year.
Prince Charles offered a glimpse of a new photo of him with Prince George in a video from March
Maureen Morris, whose husband Bill served with the Welsh Guards between 1952 and 1955, also revealed that she had asked Camilla if there had been any further news about whether the Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton, had gone into labour yet. "She said 'No'," said Maureen, "I said 'It will be great when it happens.'
Unless William and Kate's second child arrives on 30 April, the couple now look set to have a May-born baby. While Kate had previously said that her due date was around "mid-to-end of April" during a London-based engagement in March, it would appear that the little royal isn't ready to make his or her way into the world just yet.
On Wednesday Westminster Council extended parking restrictions outside St Mary's Hospital in Paddington where the Duchess, née Kate Middleton, is due to give birth.