Spain’s crown princess has baby girl

SPAIN’S Crown Princess Letizia gave birth to a girl yesterday morning, who becomes second in line to the throne after her father Crown Prince Felipe, the royal palace said.

The baby, the couple’s first, was born about seven hours after Letizia, accompanied by her husband, entered the Ruber International Clinic in the north of Madrid. Spanish news reports said Letizia had given birth two weeks before her due date.

Her place in the royal succession could drop if Felipe and Letizia have any sons. The Spanish constitution now allows a female heir to the throne only if she has no brothers.

However, the girl could become the first Spanish princess to have the same right as a boy to accede to the throne and become queen.

Letizia and Felipe surprised Spaniards on November 1, 2003, by announcing their engagement. Few knew that the heir to the Spanish throne had been dating a woman who was one of the country’s best-known television personalities, a divorcee without royal or aristocratic links.