Monaco`s Princess consort Charlene gives birth to twins

USPA News - Princess consort Charlene of Monaco has given birth to a boy and a girl at a hospital in the city-state, the royal palace announced on late Wednesday, more than three years after the former Olympic swimmer married reigning monarch Prince Albert II. Princess Gabriella was born at the Princess Grace Hospital in Monaco at 5:04 p.m. local time, followed by the birth of Prince Jacques at 5:06 p.m., the royal palace said in a brief statement. The couple had announced in late May that they were expecting their first child, but they revealed in October that Charlene was pregnant with twins.

Because the state`s throne favors male offspring over females, Prince Jacques was declared Crown Prince and given the title Marquis of Baux after Wednesday`s birth. His sister Princess Gabriella is now second in the line of succession and will receive the title of Countess of Carladès, the palace said. Princess Caroline, who is now third in line, had been heir presumptive since 2005. "The Princess and the Children are doing well," the palace added in the brief statement. Prince Albert II, 56, married Charlene Wittstock, 36, at the Prince`s Palace in July 2011. The prince first met Charlene, a former South African Olympic swimmer who was born in present-day Zimbabwe, at a swimming competition in Monaco in 2000. They announced their engagement in June 2010. The announcement in late May ended speculation in the city-state as to why Charlene had still not provided a heir to the Monegasque throne after about three years of marriage. The Principality of Monaco is the world`s second smallest state with a population of just under 36,500. Prince Albert II has served as the country`s head of state since April 2005.