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Princess gives birth
31/10/2005 08:42 - (SA)
Madrid, Spain - Spain's Crown Princess Letizia early on Monday gave birth to her first child, a girl who becomes second in line to the throne after her father Crown Prince Felipe and may some day become the future queen of Spain.
"The Prince and Princess of Asturias are delighted to announce that today their first child has been born in Madrid," the Royal Palace said in a statement. It added that name of the girl would be Leonor.
"Their Majesties the King and Queen wish to express their great happiness at this joyful announcement," it added. The baby is the seventh grandchild of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia.
Letizia gave birth at 02:09 on Monday about seven hours after she entered the Ruber International Clinic in northern Madrid, accompanied by her husband, where she went on advice from her gynaecologist after having contractions. Spanish news reports said Letizia had given birth two weeks before her due date.
Both mother and child were doing fine, a Royal Palace spokesperson said. He added that Felipe would appear before the press at the clinic's parking lot around 05:00 to give more details about the birth.
The new princess is second in line to the throne after Prince Felipe, who is the third and only son of King Juan Carlos.
Her place in the royal succession could drop if Felipe and Letizia have any sons. The Spanish constitution now allows a female heir to the throne only if she has no brothers.
However, the girl could become the first Spanish princess to have the same right as a boy to accede to the throne and become queen.
- AP
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South Africa
