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Second baby arrives for Royal Family
"Another Daughter" says House Ananto
Luxon, Grand Duchy of Ananto
April 2, 5731


His Imperial Majesty and Princess Consort welcome new Princess to the Family

Defying the odds and disappointing predictions markets in Sulari, the Royal Family welcomed Her Highness, the Minor Princess Bonnie-Margaret Ericka Ananto-Leigh into the world on March 31, 5731. The new baby was reportedly healthy and "not happy" according to Hir Highness Princess Melanie Ananto-McLinn, speaking for the Royal Family. "Baby Ananto was born without any complications, was very vocal and took the poking and prodding of the neo-natal staff in stride and now mom and baby are resting."

The new child adds to the Imperial Family, as expected, but what was not expected was the fact that the Royal Couple would have another girl. "Well, in this case, the bookmakers got it wrong in Sulari," said Lady Ananto-McLinn. "The 'New Child will be female' contract was selling at around 31 cents directly before the baby's birth as most people were convinced that it would be a boy. But, the Princess fooled everyone, and some people got rich." Much of the predictions frenzy around the new birth was driven in recent weeks by tabloid reports that took up the speculation and contributed opinions into the popular conversation. "People were claiming wild things in the tabloid press which were based on guesses rather than actual observations or knowledge. It tricked a lot of people." Some of the people who were swept up in the conversation were the bookmakers themselves, who acknowledged that they themselves were influenced to a little degree by the crop of "baby whisperers" who were being reported as having some inside knowledge.

"The Emperor and Princess Consort knew the sex of the child in late December when it became obvious on the ultrasound," said Lady Ananto-McLinn. "But they wisely shared that information to very few people, and let the markets do their thing. The Emperor and the Consort do not follow the predictions markets: They are not allowed to speculate in them, and House Ananto would not speculate for them, because that would be insider trading. So as far as they were concerned it was a matter of human interest, and they were far too busy preparing for Actual Baby, rather than Speculative Baby."

The new little Princess was born quickly, relative to her older sister, who put her mother through labor for more than a day. "The Princess Consort reported to the hospital at 9:30 am, was admitted, and the baby was born at 1:23 pm. Labor was brief, Her Highness was well rested, well hydrated and ready to go. With no complications in the delivery, Baby was weighed and cleaned up and was in mom's arms by 1:45pm. It really was a much easier experience for her." The birth was attended by His Imperial Majesty, Emperor William II Ananto, and the couple was joined that evening by Their Highnesses, Princesses Jennifer and Victoria Ananto-Rosenfeld, while Her Highness, the Princess of the Empire Carolina Ananto-Connor arrived the next day.

"His Imperial Majesty and Her Highness the Princess Consort decided to name the new Minor Princess Bonnie after the Princess Consort's Fraternal Grandmother, Dame Bonnie Leigh, the famous opera singer, member of Sulari Society, Land Baronette, and Dame of the Order of the Anantonese Empire," said Lady Ananto-McLinn. "Margaret, of course is the sister of Mary, and Ericka comes of course in Honor of Lady Ericka Donahue, the Former Chancellor of the Empire. All women of great renown, a fit name for a new member of the Royal Family."

The new family will remain in the hospital for observation and recovery until next week. Her Highness, the Minor Princess Nicolette-Mary Lindsay Ananto-Leigh visits with her Parents each day in the ward, but remains at home with her aunt, the Princess Victoria in Kaliburg.

@TheRepublic