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Sweden’s Princess Madeleine gives birth to girl


Princess Madeleine of Sweden has given birth to a girl.

The 31-year-old royal and her husband Christopher O’Neill – whom she married last year – welcomed their first child into the world yesterday evening (20.02.14) in New York City.

Madeleine – who is fifth-in-line to the throne of Sweden – and her baby are said to be "in good health" following the birth.

Royal spokesman Svante Lindqvist announced the news last night: "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."

The couple reside in New York – where Madeleine works for the World Childhood Foundation, a non-profit group founded by her mother, Queen Silvia – but it is expected they will return to Sweden.

Madeleine fell pregnant unexpectedly but she admitted at the time she was glad it happened that way.

She said: "It’s better that way, rather than to plan everything in advance and find that nothing happens."

The princess previously admitted she and Christopher were "excited" for the birth and had been reading the famous baby book ‘What To Expect When You Are Expecting’ in preparation for their new arrival.