Charles, 65, told of his delight that son William and his wife Kate, both 32, are expecting a second child, who will be fourth in line to the throne.

 

The Prince of Wales told well-wishers: “It’s wonderful. 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.”

 

Kate was still being treated for her severe morning sickness at home in Kensington Palace today, where William was at her side.

 

She is in the very early stages of pregnancy¹ and Charles had not been expected to comment on it today– but the proud grandad could not resist during a visit to a Prince’s Trust project in Bermondsey, South London.

 

He told Corey Johnson, 36, he hopes for the arrival of a little princess – and laughed when Mr Johnson told him: “That’s a bit biased²!” Charles said: “We are very happy. It’s splendid, very exciting.”

 

Kate Middleton and Prince William depart The Lindo Wing with their newborn son at St Mary's Hospital

 

He had reportedly expressed the same hope for a girl when Princess Diana was pregnant³ with second son Harry⁴.

 

In his 1992 book Diana: Her True Story, author Andrew Morton claimed Diana said: “Charles always wanted a girl... I knew Harry was a boy and I didn’t tell him.”

 

During her first pregnancy Kate also let slip that William wanted a daughter, telling Guardsman Lee Wheeler, 29: “I’d like to have a boy and William would like a girl. That’s always the way.”

 

The Duchess of Cambridge cancelled a public engagement⁵ on Monday due to her condition, hyperemesis gravidarum, which she also suffered while pregnant with 13-month-old son George.

 

William attended the engagement alone then said: “I’m going to go and look after her now.”

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