Monday, October 3, 2011

Belgium prepares for royal birth

October 2, 1927


Crown Princess Astrid, the wife of Crown Prince Leopold of Belgium, is expected to give birth to her first child "within the next few days," reports the New York Times by special cable.

If Princess Astrid gives birth to a daughter, the "news will be announced by the firing of 21 cannon shots."  If she gives birth to a son, "101 shots will be fired."   Residents of Brussels are likely to "listen with bated breath for a twenty-second shot."

If the child is a boy. he "will be named after King Albert," and will have the title Count of Hainault. 

Crown Prince Leopold, the eldest son of King Albert and Queen Elisabeth, married Princess Astrid of Sweden last October.

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