Princess Charlene and Prince Albert
The birth of Monaco's Prince Albert and Princess Charlene's twins will be marked with a 42-cannon salute.
The royal couple are preparing to welcome their first children into the world in the coming weeks and have now shared how the happy news will be officially celebrated.
An official statement said: "On the occasion of the upcoming princely births. The Palace wishes to inform the people of Monaco and residents of the Principality of the following arrangements.
"In celebration of the joyous arrival of these two children, and without distinction, forty-two cannon shots (twenty-one for each child) shall be fired from the Fort Antoine and church bells shall ring for fifteen minutes, followed by boat horns."
An official proclamation signed by Albert will confirm the twins' birth and be displayed at the entrance to the Princely Palace, and at a later date the new arrivals will be presented in public.
The statement continued: "The date of the official introduction will be communicated at a later date/ The people of Monaco, residents and workers of the Principality as well as any individuals who wish to do so, are invited to attend the Princely Couple's presentation of Their children at the Place du Palais, in order to pay tribute to them and that day will be declared public holiday for all individuals working in Monaco in celebration of this time of great joy."
The message appealed for people to "put up bunting and flags, under the same provisions as on National Day" and asked for charitable donations to be made in lieu of gifts for the twins.
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