Did Prince William drop a hint that Prince George may soon have a brother or sister?

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met Cynthia Read, who made the fine lace shawl that was New Zealand’s gift to George on his birth, during their visit to the New Zealand town of Cambridge on Saturday.

“You might have to make another one soon,” William told her.

Mrs Read, who emigrated from Newcastle, in north-eastern England, with her Scottish husband Ken, eight years ago, added: “The way William said it was like he was dropping a hint, letting me in on a secret.”

Asked if she thought he meant a brother or sister for eight-month-old George would soon be on the way, she replied: “Maybe. I couldn’t possibly comment. Obviously if I’m asked to do another one I would be honoured, but we’ll wait and see.”

Mrs Read, 61, was commissioned by New Zealand’s government to knit the lace shawl after spinning it from merino wool.

An award-winning member of the Creative Fibre circle, she told William that the Filmy Fern pattern white shawl, with intermingled fern leaves, was designed by Margaret Stove, who also made one for William when he was a baby.

The duchess told Mrs Read they were delighted with the shawl.

“Kate told me they were really happy with it and George wore it a lot,” Mrs Read said.

“She said it was so lovely and soft. They have brought it to New Zealand and he is wearing it, but she apologised for not so far finding an appropriate event outdoors to wrap him in it.

“I shouldn’t think he will wear it much more as he is nearly a little boy.”