Kate Middleton gushes about Meghan Markle's pregnancy amid rumors of 'tension' between them

Kate Middleton could not be more excited for sister-in-law Meghan Markle's baby to be born.

The Duchess of Cambridge visited Leicester University with her husband, Prince William, on Wednesday, where she struck up a conversation upon arrival with some adoring fans.

"They're doing well, thank you," the duchess said of her three children, George, Charlotte and Louis. "They're getting excited for Christmas time, because they've started all their Christmas songs and the Christmas trees are going up."

"And Louis' getting bigger," she added of her 7-month-old. "I can't believe he's like seven months. He's getting to be a big boy."

SEE ALSO: 'Tension' brewing in the royal family: What's going on with Harry, Meghan, William and Kate?

The group of young women then asked Middleton whether or not she was excited about the Duchess of Sussex's forthcoming child with husband Prince Harry.

"Absolutely!" she responded. "It's such a special time to have little kiddies. And a cousin for George and Charlotte, as well, and Louis. It'll be really special."

The brief comment is Kate's first on Meghan's pregnancy news other than a joint statement that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge released following her initial pregnancy announcement, which said that they were "delighted" for Meghan and Harry.

Kate breaking her silence on her sister-in-law's pregnancy comes amid speculation of bad blood between the pair.

"Meghan and Kate have different interests and lead different lives," a source told ET of the pair, whose only joint outing together came back in July at the Ladies Final at Wimbledon, where the pair watched Meghan's friend, Serena Williams.

SEE ALSO: How Kate Middleton avoids 'overshadowing' Prince William

A Daily Mail source backed that up, saying that "they don't really get on."

Regardless of whether or not there is truly "tension" between the pair as Meghan and Harry prepare to move out of Kensington Palace, Kate is clearly over the moon for her three children to be getting another cousin. Her sister, Pippa Middleton, welcomed her first child with husband James Matthews back in October.