30 APRIL 2003
Norway welcomed its first royal heir in 30 years on Tuesday night, when King Harald's only daughter Princess Martha Louise gave birth to a baby girl.

The Princess and her husband, writer Ari Behn, were said to be thrilled with their new arrival, who is named Maud Angelica Behn, after her maternal great-great-grandmother, Queen Maud.

New mum Martha Louise was admitted to Norway's national hospital, Rikshospitalet, in Oslo after going into labour at about 3pm on Tuesday. Grandparents King Harald and Queen Sonja are expected to visit their 31-year-old daughter and her little bundle of joy on Wednesday.

As the first grandchild of King Harald and Queen Sonja, baby Maud – who will hold no royal title – is third in line to the throne, following her uncle Crown Prince Haakon, and her mother.