Cue the trumpets! Monaco’s royal twins have been born.
Princess Charlene and husband Prince Albert II welcomed a daughter and son on Wednesday. This news means Monaco finally has an heir from the formerly titled “Bachelor Prince.”
“TSH Prince and Princess of Monaco have the immense pleasure to announce the birth of their children,” the Palais said in a statement. “These births occurred on 10 December 2014 in the maternity ward of Princess Grace Hospital in Monaco. The Princess and the children are well.”
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The first baby, Gabriella, Therese, Marie was born at 5:04 PM, followed only two minutes later by fraternal twin brother Jacques Honore, Rainier at 5:06 PM.
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“Prince Jacques Honore, Rainier, has the quality of Hereditary Prince. According to historical use established by the Treaty of Peronne (1641), he received the title of Marquis of Baux (in Provence),” the Palais explained. “Princess Gabriella, Therese, Marie, the second child in the line of succession, received the title of Countess of Carladès (Auvergne).”
In October 2011, prior to Kate Middleton announcing her pregnancy with Prince George, the British monarchy changed their century’s old succession laws, according to the BBC. The firstborn child, regardless of gender, is now first in line for the crown in the U.K.
“Put simply, if the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were to have a little girl, that girl would one day be our queen,” Prime Minister David Cameron announced. “The idea that a younger son should become monarch instead of an elder daughter simply because he is a man…this way of thinking is at odds with the modern countries that we have become.”
Prince Albert II and former Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock wed in a two-day affair in July 2011.
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The twins are grandchildren of the late Grace Kelly. According to the AP, Prince Albert II has acknowledged he’s fathered two illegitimate children out of wedlock, but only legitimate offspring are eligible to inherit the throne.
— Paige Feigenbaum
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