Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and his Argentine-born wife Maxima have more reason than ever to celebrate this holiday season. It was announced on Tuesday that the couple are expecting their second child.
The endearing statement, issued in the name of the couple's first child, one-year-old daughter Princess Catharina-Amalia, stated: "I'm really glad I can say to you all that I will expect a baby brother or sister by mid-July 2005."
The new arrival will be third in line behind her sibling and the Crown Prince.
In recent weeks speculation had beem running high in the Dutch media that Maxima was pregnant, providing a happier note in a difficult year. The Dutch royals mourned the deaths of two beloved members of the family in 2004. Queen Juliana passed away in March at the age of 94, while her husband Bernhard passed away later in the year aged 93.
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