When Princess Charlene of Monaco gave birth to twins on December 10 last year the tiny principality which her husband Prince Albert reigns over was overjoyed.
Now the 37-year-old mother reveals that at 7 months old her children, Jacques and Gabriella are starting to show their personalities.
“Jacques is a real boss,” Charlene told Paris Match of her eldest child. “He’s grown a lot and seems to have taken after his father. He only needs a little sleep, and he’s looking around all the time.”
“He’s very observant and has developed a real protective side, which he directs towards his sister Gabriella. They interact in their own little world. It’s amazing to watch them,” she added.
Charlene says her daughter is already aware she has royal bloodlines.
“We’ve noticed, funnily enough, that she’s developing a real princess attitude. I can tell you that her favourite colour is pink and that ‘no’ is a word she doesn’t like.”
Charlene, who was a former Olympic swimmer for her native South Africa says her children are water babies.
“Our children share the same passion as us for the water,” said Charlene. “I’m sure they’ll be swimming before they can walk.”
Princess Charlene met Prince Albert of Monaco at a swimming event in 2007 and the couple’s marvellous wedding – held in July 2011 – was a highlight of the royal calendar.
Since welcoming their children Charlene says Albert, 57, is an “excellent father.”
“He loves his children and is very affectionate with them. Family life is very important to him. It’s always touching to see him talking to our children. Sometimes I catch him speaking to Jacques or Gabriella mid-conversation, and he’s holding them in his arms with such tenderness.”
Baptism Of The Princely Children At The Monaco Cathedral
Prince Albert II of Monaco, Princess Gabriella of Monaco, Prince Jacques of Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco during the baptism of the Princely Children at the Monaco cathedralon on May 10, 2015 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Didier Baverel/WireImage)
Prince Albert of Monaco and Princess Charlene Of Monaco Walk On The Palace Square after the Baptism Of Their Twins
Prince Albert of Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco walk on the Palace Square after the Baptism of their twins Prince Jacques of Monaco and Princess Gabriella of Monaco at the Cathedral of Monaco on May 10, 2015 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Charly Gallo/Monaco Press Center via Getty Image)
Baptism Of The Princely Children at The Monaco Cathedral
Prince Albert of Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco walk on the Palace Square after the Baptism of their twins Prince Jacques of Monaco and Princess Gabriella of Monaco at the Cathedral of Monaco on May 10, 2015 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Charly Gallo/Monaco Press Center via Getty Image)
Baptism Of The Princely Children At The Monaco Cathedral
Mr Gareth Wittstock et Mrs Nerine Pienaar, Princess Caroline of Hanover, Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco, and Princess Gabriella of Monaco, Diane de Polignac Nigra and M. Christopher Le Vine Jr show Prince Jacques of Monaco to the people during the baptism of the Princely Children at Monaco Cathedral on on May 10, 2015 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Didier Baverel/WireImage)
Baptism Of The Princely Children At The Monaco Cathedral
Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Gabriella of Monaco attend The Baptism Of The Princely Children at The Monaco Cathedral on May 10, 2015 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Baptism Of The Princely Children At The Monaco Cathedral
Princess Caroline of Hanover, Prince Albert II of Monaco, Princess Charlene of Monaco and Diane de Polignac Nigra attend The Baptism Of The Princely Children at The Monaco Cathedral on May 10, 2015 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Baptism Of The Princely Children At The Monaco Cathedral
Mr Gareth Wittstock et Mrs Nerine Pienaar, Princess Caroline of Hanover, Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco, and Princess Gabriella of Monaco, Diane de Polignac Nigra and M. Christopher Le Vine Jr attend the baptism of the Princely Children at Monaco Cathedral on on May 10, 2015 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Didier Baverel/WireImage)
Baptism Of The Princely Children At The Monaco Cathedral
Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco show Prince Jacques of Monaco and Princess Gabriella of Monaco with Princess Caroline of Hanover (L) and Diane de Polignac Nigra (R) to the people during the baptism of the Princely Children at the Monaco cathedralon on May 10, 2015 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Didier Baverel/WireImage)
Baptism Of The Princely Children At The Monaco Cathedral
Mr Gareth Wittstock et Mrs Nerine Pienaar, Princess Caroline of Hanover, Prince Albert II of Monaco, Princess Charlene of Monaco, Diane de Polignac Nigra and M. Christopher Le Vine Jr show Princess Gabriella of Monaco and Prince Jacques of Monaco to the people during the baptism of the Princely Children at the Monaco cathedralon on May 10, 2015 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Didier Baverel/WireImage)
Prince Albert of Monaco and Princess Charlene Of Monaco Walk On The Palace Square after the Baptism Of Their Twins
Prince Albert of Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco walk on the Palace square after the Baptism of their twins at Monaco Cathedral on May 10, 2015 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Didier Baverel/WireImage)
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