Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco are Expecting Twins

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene on their wedding in 2011.

Three years after the fairy tale wedding that sealed the union of Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, the royal couple announced that they are expecting not just a baby but twins!

The 36-year-old Princess is set to give birth before 2014 ends. 

On the other hands, the Royal Family will definitely have a hard time afterwards because it is yet unknown which of the two will inherit the principality.

Palace officials confirmed the Princess’ pregnancy last May.

“T.S.H the Prince and the Princess of Monaco are delighted to announce the pregnancy of H.S.H. Princess Charlene.” 

However, Monaco’s inheritance laws states that while the first born child should succeed the throne, preference, however, is given to male heirs.

Albert’s father, Prince Rainier III, upon seeing that his only son might now marry, quietly revised the constitution to gave his two daughters, Caroline and Stephanie, and their heirs the right the sit on throne.

The old inheritance law states that in the absence of a male heir, Monaco will have to seize sovereignty to France.

In an Associated Press interview, the Prince was quoted that he and Charlene were 'overjoyed', 'thrilled' and 'very excited' with the birth of their child. That time, it was still unknown whether the Princess was pregnant with twins or not.

Because of the Princess’ delicate condition, the royal couple were being very cautious to “make sure everything goes well.”

Prince Albert, 56, succeeded as Sovereign Prince of Monaco in 2005 after the death of Prince Rainier. Once notorious as a playboy prince, his immense wealth and position placed him as one of the world’s most eligible bachelor. It was later revealed that the Prince has already fathered two children out of wedlock.

In 1992, he fathered Jazmin Grace Grimaldi to American Tamara Rotolo.

In 2003, he also fathered a son, Alexandre Coste to Togo native Nicole Coste.

The two children are, however, barred from inheriting the throne, although they can claim their share in the Prince’s sizable fortune, which is estimated to be over $1 billion.

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene have been a couple since 2005, when they were first seen together as a couple at the opening of the Torino Olympics. They were also together in official functions, including the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling in Stockholm four days before their engagement was announced, and at the wedding of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine Middleton on April 29, 2011.

Their civil wedding was held on July 1, 2011, followed by a lavish wedding ceremony at the Palais Rainier on July 2 before 850 guests that ranged from royals and dignitaries to celebrities.

ABC News writes of the wedding:

“Residents of the principality on the Riviera swarmed the plaza outside the palace where the ceremony took place, hoping to catch a glimpse of the newlyweds during the first of two days of royal wedding events.”

But the fairy tale wedding doesn’t seem anything fairy tale at all.

The Princess has been rumored to go under depression at her failure to provide the royal family with a legitimate heir, a report by Daily Mail says.

The Daily Beast also writes:

“Sources tell the Royalist that Charlene had been becoming increasingly depressed over the last three years by her failure to provide a son and heir to Albert, and although the pregnancy has not been easy, she is relieved that an end to the ordeal of the last three years is in sight.”

The Princess also does not have friends in Monaco. In an interview with Tatler, she said "Although I have met some wonderful people since I’ve been living in Monaco, I regard them all as acquaintances. I only have two people I consider friends here,”

Then, another source said that she would be free to file for divorce once an heir is provided. “Charlene will provide an heir, then if things don’t go well, she will receive a generous divorce settlement once she’s served a decent amount of time,” Daily Mail’s source can reveal.

Whether these rumors are true or not, Monaco, these days, have been rejoicing on the fact that the Prince and Princess are finally on their way to parenthood. We can never tell. The blessings of two cute babies could strengthen their marriage.