SPAIN: Princess Letizia, wife of Spain's Prince Felipe (the prince of Asturias and heir apparent to the Spanish throne), gave birth to a daughter in the early hours of yesterday morning.
The Infanta Leonor de Borbón y Ortiz becomes second in line to the throne, after her father, and replaces Prince Felipe's sisters, the Infantas Elena and Cristina, and their children in the line of succession.
The princess was admitted to the Ruber International Clinic north of Madrid on Sunday evening. Within a short time hundreds of journalists, photographers and curious members of the public were braving the rain and waiting for news.
A small tent was hurriedly erected in the hospital grounds to shelter journalists. It was there at 6.30am that the 37-year-old prince, accompanied by the medical team, spoke to the media. He said he had been present throughout the birth by Caesarean section of his baby daughter and confirmed they had no idea of her sex in advance.
He said: "I was so happy when they put her in my arms that I didn't even look to see whether it was a boy or a girl. It was only when they took her away that I remembered to ask the doctors what it was."
Many people - including the baby's grandmother Queen Sofia - had been expecting a boy. "I lost my bet," she said after visiting the proud parents.
It was a sign the royal palace is abreast of the times that they sent bulletins by text message to the court correspondents confirming the events throughout the night. Finally, at 2.30 am came the brief announcement: "The Princess of Asturias has just given birth to a baby girl."
The royal birth reopens the debate over the need to reform the 1978 constitution, which gives precedence to the male line. Many people, including the prince himself, accept this is not in line with Spain's policy of equality of the sexes and would like to see changes.
Although most politicians are in agreement with the need to make these reforms, it is not a simple process.
It would first require the approval by a majority of two-thirds of both houses of parliament, followed by the dissolution of the two chambers, a general election and then a national referendum on the issue.
At the moment, Infanta Leonor's position as future heir to the throne would be usurped if she had a brother.
There have been several royal Leonors in Spanish history, including Eleanor of Aquitaine. The name means prosperity and happiness, and superstitious Spaniards also believe that rain, which was falling heavily at the time of her birth and when her parents married 18 months ago, is a good omen.
As she left the hospital yesterday afternoon, Queen Sofia reminded people of this superstition, particularly as Spain is suffering a severe drought. "Let's hope Leonor brings us more rain," she laughed.