The Duchess of Cornwall revealed yesterday how she and Prince Charles had been "waiting by the telephone" for news on their future grandchild on the first day of a three-day tour of the Westcountry.
Camilla said that she and the Duke were eagerly anticipating the news while receiving a hamper of baby gifts on a visit to the Little Harbour Children's Hospice yesterday lunchtime.
With the Duchess of Cambridge expected to go in to labour at any time, much of the talk on the Royal pair's visit to Cornwall orientated around the subject of their grandchild. However, with a trip to Brixham planned today and one to Lostwithiel tomorrow, their focus was still on the region, if only for a little while longer.
Underneath clear blue skies, Prince Charles, in a cream suit and purple striped tie, and Camilla, in a pale blue dress and beige shoes, began their day in Bude.
After meeting local dignitaries, the Duke and Duchess were taken on a tour of the town, visiting an assortment of local shops to the backdrop of sea shanties sung by local group Bencoolen Wrecklers.
A visit to Bude Castle followed, made in front of throngs of flag-waving school children, before the pair made their way to the town's rennovated wharf, where they met shop owners, Bude RNLI, local surfers and Bude Surf Life Saving Club.
Town mayor Paula Dolphin said: "This is an amazing event for the town, we haven't had one for years. Bude is a hidden gem and the Royals coming here is amazing."
If the visit of the Duke and Duchess lifted spirits in Bude, it certainly did the same for staff, volunteers and patients at Stratton Community Hospital.
Irene Maynard, 85, from Kilkhampton, a patient at the hospital, said meeting Camilla was a "lovely experience".
"She made me feel quite at home," she added.
Giving a speech before unveiling a commemorative plaque, Prince Charles spoke of the "importance" of community hospitals, praising the fundraising efforts of the league of friends, something that chairman Candy Baker said "meant a huge amount".
The fundraiser, who has spearheaded the £1 million fundraising drive, added she was "very fortunate and it was a privilege".
From Bude, the Duke and Duchess parted ways, Prince Charles heading for a number of private meetings and Camilla to the Children's Hospice South West near St Austell.
After a tour, Camilla said that while the public perception was that hospices were "sad places" quite often the opposite was true.
On Kate and William's new arrival she remarked: "We are hopeful that by the end of the week he or she will be here."
Tamsin Lewis, head of care, said: "It's just been amazing for Children's Hospice South West to show to everybody what a children's hospice is all about and that's about having fun. Sharing the memories with the families and being able to show that to Camilla is just brilliant."
The party then visited the Duchy Nursery in Lostwithiel to mark the 40th anniversary of the Cornwall Crafts Association.
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