Princess Maria Laura of Belgium has surprised royal watchers everywhere with the news that she has welcomed her first baby with her British banker husband William Isvy – just days after Princess Beatrice celebrated the birth of her second daughter, Athena, with Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi
The Belgian royal court announced the good news, revealing that Princess Maria Laura, the daughter of Princess Astrid and the niece of King Philippe, gave birth to baby Albert on Sunday 26 January in Brussels. The announcement came as a shock to the public, considering that Maria Laura had not announced her pregnancy.
‘Albert weighs 3.5 kg and is doing well, just like his mother. The families of the young parents share in their happiness,’ read the announcement, which was shared on social media. Alongside the message, the court posted the first photo of the royal baby, who was seen sleeping in an adorable cream jumper with what looked like a cuddly toy lying by his side.
Like many royal parents, Princess Maria Laura, 36, and William chose to bestow a meaningful name upon their baby, with ‘Albert’ perhaps marking a tribute to the Princess’s grandfather, King Albert II of Belgium.
And while the couple have followed in this illustrious tradition, just as Beatrice and Edo chose to honour the late Queen by giving their daughter the middle name ‘Elizabeth’, baby Albert has already made history among the Belgian royal family.