Prince Albert and Princess Charlene's twin babies will be baptised on Sunday 10 May – when they will be exactly five months old. Monaco's royal palace confirmed the private event with a few details on their Facebook page.
According to a statement released online, the christening of baby Jacques, Hereditary Prince of Monaco and his older sister Princess Gabriella will take place in the Cathedral of Monaco.
Following the ceremony, wellwishers will be able to line the streets and cheer the family on as they make their way back to the palace. The baptism will also be televised on Monaco Info for all to see.
© Photo: FacebookRoughly two months later on 11 July, another high-profile event involving the twins will take place. The mayor of Monaco will present the babies with gifts on behalf of the Monegasque population.
The ceremony, which will take place in the Palace Square, is particularly poignant for Prince Albert, as it will fall around the tenth anniversary of his rule. The reigning monarch took the throne on 12 July 2005 after the end of the three-month mourning period for his late father Prince Rainier III, who suffered poor health in his later years.
© Photo: Getty ImagesAlbert, 56, and Charlene, 37, welcomed their twin babies in December of last year. Gabriella arrived first at 5.04pm, with her brother following two minutes later at 5.06pm.
Because of inheritance laws favouring males, Jacques will one day become the ruler of Monaco and will be known as His Serene Highness The Hereditary Prince of Monaco, Marquis of Baux. Gabriella holds the title Her Serene Highness The Countess of Carladès.
Monaco will no doubt be excited to catch another glimpse of the royal darlings at their upcoming baptism. The last time the twins held the spotlight was at their formal presentation to the people of Monaco in January.
At just four weeks old, the babies were proudly shown off to more than 3,000 locals from the balcony of the royal palace, with new parents Albert and Charlene cradling one child each.
© Photo: Getty ImagesA week after giving birth, Charlene opened up about the little arrivals. "Every second with them is magical," she told Paris Match. "Watching them grow is wonderful. It changes lives forever."
The former Olympian swimmer added: "What I can tell you is that they are both very active and very expressive. They are beautiful, adorable, I'm crazy in love with them."
