Monaco royal twins make their debut appearance
THE world was given its first glimpse of new royal twins today when the Palace of Monaco released pictures of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene with their babies.
The royal twins in public for first time
Dozing oblivious to the fuss their birth has created, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella made their debut at the start of a lifetime of public and media interest in their every move.
Albert, 56, the son of the late Prince Rainier and Hollywood actress-turned Princess Grace Kelly, was seen gazing adoringly at his heirs, who were held by his 36-year-old wife, a former South African Olympic swimmer, at the Princess Grace Hospital in the principality.
Gabriella arrived at 5.04 pm, two minutes ahead of her brother, on December 10 but under Monegasque law, it is Jacques who will be the future head of state in the principality, which gives priority to male inheritance.
The happy royal family
We thank God for this great happiness
Jacques, as his father’s heir, bears the titles Hereditary Prince of Monaco and Marquis of Baux, while Albert has granted Gabriella the title of Countess of Carladès.
After their birth, Albert, who has two acknowledged illegitimate children, a son and a daughter, abroad, thanked people in the principality and around the world for their good wishes. In a video message, he said: “We thank God for this great happiness.”
The two-week-old babies are the first twins born to the royal Grimaldi family since the 13th century.