Sweden`s Princess Madeleine expecting first child

USPA News - Swedish Princess Madeleine and her husband, New York banker Christopher O`Neill, are expecting their first child next year, the royal palace announced on Tuesday, less than three months after the couple married in the Swedish capital of Stockholm. The couple announced the news in a brief statement released by the royal palace, saying the birth is expected to take place in early March 2014. "Princess Madeleine and Mr. Christopher O`Neill are delighted to announce that The Princess is expecting their first child," the statement said.

It added that the pregnancy is not expected to affect Madeleine`s engagements this fall. Her work for the World Childhood Foundation, a nonprofit founded by her mother Queen Silvia to reach and support children around the world, is also not expected to be interrupted during the coming months. Madeleine and O`Neill, who met in New York City, announced their engagement in October 2012 and married on June 8 in the Royal Chapel at the Royal Palace of Stockholm. She is currently fourth in line to the Swedish throne after the birth of her niece Princess Estelle in February 2012. Sweden is a constitutional monarchy in which the royals carry out a largely ceremonial and representative role. King Carl XVI Gustaf has served as the country`s head of state since September 1973, and his eldest child, 36-year-old Crown Princess Victoria, is due to succeed him.