hellomagazine.com

YOUNG EUROPEAN ROYALS MARK FAMILY CELEBRATIONS

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24 APRIL 2006

Two royal families were celebrating special occasions in Europe this weekend as Prince Louis of Luxembourg christened his baby son and Princess Astrid of Belgium's daughter Laetitia celebrated her third birthday.

Family and friends turned out in force to support new dad Louis, who at 19 is Europe's youngest royal parent. Standing alongside his 20-year-old girlfriend Tessy Anthony Hansen - whom he met while both were serving with a peacekeeping mission in Kosovo - the young prince watched proudly as the couple's new bundle of joy was baptised Gabriel Michael Louis Ronny at a church ceremony in the picturesque village of Gilsdorf.

Swathed in a white lace gown, the little one dozed happily in his mum's arms during the service. He is the first grandchild for Louis' parents, Grand Duke Henri and his wife Maria Teresa.

The couple apparently have no plans to marry, and little Gabriel, who is not an official member of the royal family, does not feature in the line of succession. Louis is third in line to the throne behind his brothers, Guillaume, 23, and 21-year-old Felix. He also has two youngers siblings, 14-year-old Alexandra and Sebastien, 13.

Meanwhile, Belgium's Princess Laetitia, who was togged out warmly in a candyfloss pink ensemble, was on the receiving end of a big birthday hug from mum Princess Astrid. The toddler, who was helping her mum carry out a charity visit, turned three on Sunday.