‘Broody’ Kate hints at starting family on Canadian walkabout

She appeared to be acting a little broody after being presented with a bouquet by Raffaela, the two-year-old child of British ex-pat David Cheater, 28, during a walkabout in Canada.

And when the proud father wished the Duchess well in her efforts to start a family she thanked him, saying “Yes, I hope to.”

It is the first time the royal has spoken publicly about having children, although her husband William stated when they got engaged that having babies was something they wanted to do.

If she follows royal precedence she could be giving birth to an heir to the throne before April next year.

William was born on June 21, 1982 about 11 months after his parents the Prince and Princess of Wales wed in July 1981.

The Queen gave birth to Charles on November 14, 1948, just short of a year after marrying the Duke of Edinburgh on November 20, 1947.

Mr Cheater queued in the centre of Quebec for four hours with his daughter to see the royal couple when they visited the City Hall to attend a ceremony honouring the Canada’s Royal 22nd Regiment.

The 28-year-old, a landscape gardener who moved to Quebec 18-months-ago with his wife, said: “It’s a real honour to meet any member of the royal family for me as I’m a royalist.

“I was hoping but I didn’t think it would happen.”

The expat, who had left his pregnant wife Florence, at home, added: “Kate said to me ‘what a beautiful daughter you have’.”

The Duchess laid her hand on the youngsters head and smiled at the little girl.

Mr Cheater added: “When I said to her I wished her and William well with starting their own family she said “Yes, I hope to”.

The Duke and Duchess had earlier joined sailors on a Canadian warship for a church service. The royal couple were included in prayers during the inter-denominational event held in their honour on the deck of HMCS Montreal.

They had spent the night on the frigate as it sailed along the St Lawrence river from Montreal to Quebec City – the next stop on their tour of the Commonwealth country.

The couple slept in the quarters of the warship’s head officer Commander Réal Brisson.

When they first boarded after a busy day in Montreal they joined the senior officer on his bridge and also met other members of the ship’s company.

Yesterday morning they sat down to breakfast with officers in the mess.

Their visit was praised by Dennis Drainville, the Anglican Bishop of Quebec, one of a number of senior clergy who were part of the service.

He said: “The significance (of today) for me and for many Anglicans is very simple. We have a long association with the monarchy.

“William will some day by King and because of that his opportunity to come here and be among people – Canadians – and learn about Canada is very important, we are diverse.”

He added: “Her Majesty the Queen is one of the most faithful individuals, every year she gives in her message an indication of the Christian values and virtues that are so important to us. William being her grandson I’m sure will carry on that tradition.”