The Queen’s given the newly reunited Kate and Wills her blessing to start a family.

It’s all systems go for a Diamond Jubilee baby for Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge. The Queen has given the royal lovebirds her blessing to start a family “as soon as possible”, reveals a very close friend of the couple, who has known them since their university days in Scotland. “They are absolutely thrilled.”

With the helicopter-pilot prince now home from six weeks in the Falklands, “Kate and Wills are looking forward to spending a lot of quality time together,” confides the friend. “Kate has missed Wills a lot. It’s been difficult having her husband so far away, but she’s kept busy.” The duchess has thrown herself into her role as a royal with a string of appearances, as well as catching up with old friends.

“But more than anything she’s been bonding with the Queen while Wills has been away,” confides the friend, speaking exclusively to Woman’s Day. “They’ve really become rather close.” Kate has had frequent private meetings with the Queen at Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace, where Her Majesty has been passing on the knowledge she’s gained from her 60 years as monarch.

“The topic of conversation also turned to babies,” reveals the friend. “The Queen let Kate know that her Diamond Jubilee celebrations would be even more memorable if Kate were to fall pregnant. Kate was a little embarrassed at first, but afterwards she couldn’t wait to tell Wills what his granny had said. He thought it was hysterical. They’d been prepared to put off pregnancy plans because they didn’t want to steal the spotlight.”

Read more about Kate's baby plans and how the Queen feels in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale Monday March 26, 2012.