Monaco's Princess Charlene gives birth to twins
By LIONEL CIRONNEAU, Associated Press
Dec 10, 2014 12:50 PM CST
In this Nov. 19, 2014 file photo, Prince Albert II of Monaco kisses his wife Princess Charlene on the balcony of the Monaco palace during the Monaco's national day ceremony. Monaco is expecting a double dose of royal babies _ but only one twin will get to be the principality’s future ruler. (AP Photo/Lionel...   (Associated Press)

MONACO (AP) — Palace officials say Monaco's Princess Charlene has given birth to royal twins, a girl and a boy.

The girl was born first, but the boy will be the principality's future ruler.

The royal twins Gabriella Therese Marie and Jacques Honore Rainier — born Wednesday to Charlene, 36, and Prince Albert II, 56 — are heirs to the centuries-old Grimaldi dynasty that rules the wealthy principality.

Cannon fire was programed to mark the babies' birth, the first time twins have been born to Monaco's royal family since its founding in the 13th century.

Monaco is a two-square kilometer (0.8 square mile) enclave of ritzy apartments and luxury shops on the French Riviera with a population of around 30,000.

See 2 more photos