Princess Charlene and Prince Albert
Monaco's Prince Albert and Princess Charlene are expecting their first child.
Monaco's Prince Albert and Princess Charlene are expecting their first child later this year.
The royal couple, who got married in 2011, revealed they were filled with "immense joy" as they announced the news today (30.05.14).
In a short statement, the 36-year-old South African former Olympic swimmer and her husband, 56, said: "Prince Albert and Princess Charlene have the immense joy to announce they are expecting a happy event. The birth is due at the end of the year."
The princess hinted she was ready to start a family in the latest Italian issue of Vanity Fair magazine, saying: "I want motherhood very much, but everything is in God's hands.
"As a couple we have been through many difficult moments and profound changes in our personal lives, but being together has always been a challenge that has brought us together. I have boundless confidence in our love."
She added: "Prince Albert is my husband, but he has also always been my best friend, and has been able to help me overcome obstacles that seemed insurmountable."
The happy news follows reports Prince Albert hasn't seen his 10-year-old son, Alexandre Coste Grimaldi, who was born following a fling with flight attendant Nicole Coste, for more than seven months.
Nicole - who has unsuccessfully fought to have Alexandre recognised as a prince - recently said: "The truth is that, I'm sorry to say, Albert hasn't seen Alexandre since a brief visit last September. It has become impossible since he married that girl."
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