Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene are expecting their first child.

Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene are expecting their first child.

The couple, who were married in July 2011, released a short statement which said that the news has filled them with “immense joy” and that the bub is due towards the end of the year.

Prince Albert (the son of Prince Rainier III of Monaco and American film star Grace Kelly) met Charlene when she was a professional swimmer, representing her native South Africa at the 2001 Mare Nostrum in Monte Carlo. The pair first made their relationship public in 2006, and announced their engagement in June 2010.

Prince Albert already has two children from previous relationships, 22-year-old daughter Jazmin and 10-year-old son Alexandre.

The new baby will become heir to the throne, taking over from Prince Albert’s older sister, Princess Caroline.

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