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Monaco

Twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella presented to crowds in Monaco

Monaco’s Royal twins made their first public appearance on Wednesday 7th January as their parents, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene, appeared on the Royal palace balcony each carrying a baby swaddled in white blankets. The twins and their parents were greeted by a cheering crowd.

The twins were born on December 10th 2014 at the Princess Grace Hospital in Monaco. Princess Gabriella was born two minutes ahead of her brother Prince Jacques, though in line with Monaco’s rules of succession Jacques was made Crown Prince with his sister next in line the throne after him.

Surprisingly the infant Royals appeared to have slept through their first meeting with Monaco which, considering the mass crowds that had gathered, is quite a feat. When the family appeared on the balcony, church bells began to ring and a military band began to play on a day which was quite rightly made a public holiday.

The twins are the first-born to Princess Charlene, who is a former South African Olympic swimmer, though Prince Albert has two children who were born out-of-wedlock in 1992 and 2003 respectively, these children are not in line for the throne of Monaco.

Monaco is the second smallest state in the world after The Vatican and is about half the size of New York’s Central Park. The Principality of Monaco is located on the French Riviera and is bordered by France on three sides and the Mediterranean Sea on another.

In 2005 Prince Albert succeeded his father, Prince Rainier III, as Sovereign Prince of Monaco.

Featured Photo Credit: Nebunel1