Queen Wants Royal Baby to Hurry Up Before Vacation

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As the world's press and royal watchers anxiously await the birth of Kate Middleton's baby, Queen Elizabeth II revealed on Wednesday that she's also a bit impatient about the much-anticipated royal arrival.

Britain's ruling monarch was asked by a schoolgirl at a public event whether she was hoping for a boy or a girl. "I don't think I mind," she replied. But she then added, "I would very much like it to arrive. I'm going on holiday."

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It is traditional for the Queen to vacation at her Balmoral estate in Scotland every summer at around this time of year.

Prince William and Kate have not revealed the gender of their first child, who will be third in line to the throne.

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The baby's due date is mid-July and William's stepmother, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, dropped a hint Monday about when the royal baby could arrive. "We are all just waiting by the telephone," she said. "We are hopeful that by the end of the week he or she will be here."