Princess Madeleine of Sweden and husband Christopher O’Neill welcomed a baby girl Thursday night in New York. The Swedish Royal Court wrote in an official announcement: “The Office of the Marshal of the Realm is delighted to announce that H.R.H. Princess Madeleine gave birth to a daughter on February 20 2014 at 10.41 pm local time New York. Both mother and child are in good health.”
Madeleine, 31, is the daughter of Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia. She married American banker O’Neill in June of last year; by September, the couple announced they were expecting.
Says the King and Queen of the new royal addition: “Today is a day of great happiness and thankfulness. We are filled with great joy. We now hope that Princess Madeleine and Christopher will be able to enjoy this unique time with their young daughter in peace and quiet.” O’Neill’s mother, Eva-Maria, adds: “I am thrilled and very excited to have a new granddaughter and I can’t wait to meet her! I wish her all that is good and wonderful in this life. I send my son Christopher and Princess Madeleine all my love and my heartfelt congratulations to their first child.”
Others are also sharing their congratulations over Twitter:
Congratulations to Swedish Princess Madeleine and Mr. Christopher O'Neill on the birth of their daughter in New York! http://t.co/ekRRVDue1g
— US Embassy in Sweden (@usembassysweden) February 21, 2014
Princess Madeleine also holds the title of Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland. Sweden has a constitutional monarchy, meaning the Royal Family serves only as figureheads. The King is considered the Head of State, but his powers are limited to ceremonial duties, not administrative. The popularity of the Swedish monarchy has dropped considerably in the last few years, due to several scandals surrounding King Carl, but the Swedish majority is still in favor of honoring the institution.
The new royal baby, whose name is still yet to be revealed, is fourth in line to the throne. First is Madeline’s sister, Princess Victoria; second is Victoria’s daughter Estelle. Madeleine and Victoria’s brother, Prince Carl Phillip, is third.
Image via Wikimedia Commons
