Queen makes feelings clear on Kate Middleton's baby: 'I'm going on holiday so I want her to hurry up' 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 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. Watch video of the comments below... Thrilled: Fay Batey is the bold schoolgirl who asked the Queen the frank question: 'Would you like the baby to be a boy or a girl?' To which the Queen, pictured smiling in Cumbria today, admitted she would like the royal baby to 'hurry up' before she goes off on holiday to Balmoral Magic moment: Fay Batey, 10, (with her back to the camera) asks the Queen her question - whether she would like the Royal baby to be a boy or a girl 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. Fay Batey, 10, was one of 35 children who travelled from their school in Wigon, Cumbria, to see the Queen. They joined a crowd of 300 people to welcome the Queen as she stepped off her boat. Delighted: Fay said she felt excited but a bit nervous before asking the question. She said she thought the Queen was 'really pretty' 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 By chance, she wandered up to the group during her walkabout, and the pupils saw their chance to talk to her. As the Queen approached, one of Fay's teachers asked her if she minded being asked a question, to which she replied, "no." Fay said: "We were talking about it on the journey down and it was the question everybody wanted to know. So I decided to ask. When I saw the queen approaching, I felt excited but a bit nervous. She was really pretty. I thought the Queen's reply was a good one. After all, she wouldn't want to have a baby while she was on holiday. Her sister Ella, 11, added: "She had a really friendly atmosphere around her. She was very polite and kind. The pair have been learning about the royal family at school, where their mother Lynne Batey is a governor. Teachers told them about the significance of the royal baby, who may be the first female heir to the throne ever. 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 Head teacher Nicola Corfield said: "We saw on a royal website that the Queen was visiting this part of the world so we asked permission to come. The children are so excited. Fay lives in Wigton with her mother, Lynne Batey, 38, her father, Steven, 40, her sister Ella, 11, and brother Jos, 7. Mrs Batey is just about to take over the family post office business while her husband has his own mechanic company. We are all delighted about Fay and Ella meeting the Queen. They have been giddy with excitement all week,' she said. They know a lot about the Royal Family after watching the Jubilee and William and Kate's wedding on television. They understand what an honour it is. We discussed it the night before, and we asked the girls what they would say if they had the chance to meet the Queen. Fay did say that she would like to know if the Queen would prefer the child to be a boy or a girl. 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 But it was very much a jokey conversation, we didn't think for one minute that she would come into such close proximity. It's an amazing experience for her and she'll remember it forever. 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 10.30am 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. 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. Having fun: An animated Queen to local residents as she travels on the Teal cruise boat on a glorious day in Cumbria The royal party also went on a brief walkabout during the 20-minute visit. The Queen was said to be thrilled when presented with a bottle of damson gin saying she would be 'keeping that for herself' 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. 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.