As Kate Middleton and Prince William are inquisitively awaiting the birth of their first child, the monarch drew much British media coverage by saying she plans to go on holidays soon. Queen Elizabeth II joked Wednesday that she hopes it is born soon, so that she can go on vacation.

Whether the royal couple's new baby is a boy or a girl, he or she will ascend the throne as monarch one day; come what may -- short of a republican revolution. The Commonwealth changed the law this year, meaning sex discrimination will end and males will not be favoured over females, as they have been for the past thousand years.

Asked during a public engagement by a schoolgirl whether she would prefer the addition to the royal family to be female or male, the monarch said she mostly hoped the baby would arrive soon.

A video showed the monarch replying: "I don't think I mind. I would very much like it to arrive. I'm going on holidays." The 87-year-old queen is scheduled to leave London for her annual summer break at the end of next week.

The comment drew much coverage late Wednesday in the British media, as TV networks, newspapers and others continue to wait for the arrival of Middleton and Prince William's first child.

Meanwhile, Twitter has seen its share of false alarms about Middleton, known here as the Duchess of Cambridge, going into labour -- or labour in the British spelling -- in recent days.

The false alarms and the wait for the birth also have led to a slew of jokes on social media platforms. Here is a look at some of them:

§ "Kate Middleton is currently in labour for the 2067th time this week. Poor girl must be shattered."

§ "Poor Kate Middleton appears to have been in labour so many times she must be having a full litter."

§ "Can Kate Middleton just have the baby already so I can stop checking CNN?"

§ "If Kate Middleton doesn't go into labour today, I'm off to Kensington Palace to feed her curry til she pops. ‪#Impatient"

§ "I feel like Kate Middleton has been pregnant for years...come on royal baby, don't be shy."

§ "I hope Kate Middleton doesn't give birth anytime soon so I can eat this kebab."

Hope to hear the great and good news ASAP.