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The Queen's cousin, Margaret Rhodes

While the entire world waits breathlessly for the birth of the royal baby, the Queen's own cousin – and Her Majesty herself – are not exactly counting down the minutes.

The Queen's first cousin, Margaret Rhodes, was being interviewed via satellite on CNN when anchor Christiane Amanpour asked if she was excited about the looming new arrival.

"Not terribly," said the feisty 88-year-old, laughing.

When Amanpour expressed surprise at her answer, Rhodes explained her subdued reaction. "Well, you know, everybody has babies. And it's lovely. But I don't get wildly excited about it."

The London-born Amanpour pressed the matter further by asking Rhodes, "Heir to the throne?" she asked. "History?"

Possibly to move the interview along, Rhodes eventually told Amanpour. "Yes, all right. I'm prepared to be excited."

You can watch the interview here.

In the same lively chat, Rhodes, who grew up with the Queen and was present at the Queen Mother's deathbed in 2002, also had encouraging words for mom-to-be Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge.

"She's doing very, very well," said Rhodes. "I think she's got a way with her that's going to be very appealing. And I think that she won't sort of vie for coverage with…which Diana perhaps did a little bit."

Meanwhile, the Queen appears to be getting a tad restless as she waits for the birth of her third great-grandchild.

On Wednesday, the Queen was attending a public event in London when a schoolgirl asked if she was hoping for a boy or a girl.

Replied Her Majesty: "I don't think I mind. I would very much like it to arrive. I'm going on holiday."

The Queen is expected to begin her annual summer holiday in Scotland following the birth of Prince William and Kate's first child, who will be third in line to the throne. The original due date for the royal offspring was mid-July.

And how is the anticipation building for the royal arrival in your part of the Commonwealth? Have people at your workplace started a pool to guess the new baby's gender? Or do you just wish the entire thing was over and done with?

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