Some months are awash with royal birthdays and while October can't quite match the cake baking, card sending regal frenzy of September it doesn't do too badly on the celebrations front. Some royal houses seem to be particularly fond of October babies (not looking at anywhere in particular here, Belgium) but there's a good spread of royal birthdays going on this month. So get the cake ready and the cards written, here are eight royal birthdays for October.
Prince Emmanuel of Belgium is 12 on October 4th
Emmanuel Leopold Guillaume Marie, second son and third child of Phillipe and Mathilde of Belgium, was born on October 4th 2005 at the Erasmus Hospital in Anderlecht. Fourth in line to the throne at the time of his birth he moved up to third behind his sister, Elisabeth, and his brother, Gabriel, on the accession of their father as King of the Belgians on July 21st 2013. He attends school in Kessel-Lo and accompanies his parents on an increasing number of engagements.
The Duke of Kent is 82 on October 9th
Edward George Nicholas Paul Patrick of Kent was born on October 9th 1935 at Number 3 Belgrave Square, London,the first child of George, Duke of Kent and his wife, Marina. He succeeded to his father's title in 1942 when the Duke of Kent was killed in a plane crash. He performed royal engagements from an early age and still maintains a busy schedule of events on behalf of the Queen. He married Katherine Worsley in 1961 and the couple now has three children and ten grandchildren.
Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands is 48 on October 11th
Constantijn Christof Frederik Ashwin is the third son of former Dutch queen, Beatrix, and her late husband, Claus. He was born on October 11th 1969 in Utrecht when his mother was still heir to the throne. Prince Constantijn trained in law and business and married Laurentien Brinkhorst in 2001 - the couple has three children. Constantijn, brother of King Willem-Alexander, is currently fourth in line to the throne of the Netherlands.
Prince Christian of Denmark is 12 on October 15th
Christian Valdemar Henri John, first child of Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, was born on October 15th 2005 at Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen. Second in line to his country's throne from birth, his name was first revealed - as is traditional for Denmark's royals - at his christening in January 2006. Christian lives with his parents and three siblings in Copenhagen where he attends school.
Prince Laurent of Belgium is 54 on October 19th
Laurent Baudouin Benoit Marie was born on October 19th 1963 at the Chateau de Belvedere, near Laeken. The second son and third child of the then Prince and Princess of Liege, Albert and Paola, he was born third in line to his country's throne and has since seen his father and older brother succeed as monarchs. Prince Laurent married Claire Coombs in 2003 and the couple has a daughter and twin sons.
Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, Duchess of Brabant, is 16 on October 25th
Elisabeth Therese Marie Helene was born on October 25th 2001 at the Erasmus Hospital in Anderlecht. She was the first child of Philippe, then heir to the throne of Belgium, and his wife, Mathilde. On her father's accession as King of the Belgians on July 21st 2013 she became the first female heir to the throne in her country's history and on her accession she will be its first queen regnant. Elisabeth, as first in line, takes the title of Duchess of Brabant. She attends school in Brussels where she lives with her parents and three siblings.
Princess Margaretha of Sweden is 83 on October 31st
Margaretha Desiree Victoria of Sweden was born on October 31st 1934 at the Haga Palace near Stockholm, the first child of Prince Gustaf Adolf and his wife, Princess Sybilla. Her father was then second in line to his country's throne but was killed in a plane crash in 1947 leaving Margaretha's nine month old brother, Carl Gustaf, as future heir. Margaretha married John Ambler in 1964 and the couple had three children. Princess Margaretha, eldest sister of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, now lives in England.
Princess Leonor of Spain, Princess of Asturias is 12 on October 31st Leonor de Todos los Santos, Princess of Asturias, was born on October 31st 2005 at the Ruber Clinic in Madrid, the first child of the then heir to the throne of Spain, Felipe, and his wife, Letizia, On her father's accession as King of Spin on June 19th 2014, Leonor became heir to the throne and took the title Princess of Asturias. She lives in Madrid with her parents and sister, Sofia, and attends school there.
