It is a boy for Alexander and Marie

both images:  Marlene A. Eilers Koenig collection

September 6, 1923

Queen Marie of Yugoslavia gave birth to a son at 3 a.m., this morning, reports the New York Times.

The "joyful event" was marked by a "salute of 101 guns and the pealing of the Cathedral bells."

King Alexander issued a proclamation declaring the infant Prince as "heir to the throne."   The birth will be celebrated with "great joy throughout the country," as it settles the question of "direct succession in the Karageorgevitch dynasty."

This is the first child for King Alexander and Queen Marie, who is the second daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Marie of Romania.  

The couple were married at Belgrade on June 8, 1922.   The queen is 22 years old, and her husband is ten years her senior.

Marie's older sister, Elisabeth, is the wife of King George II of the Hellenes.

This is the second grandchild for the Queen Marie of Romania.   In October 1921, Crown Princess Helen, the wife of Crown Prince Carol, gave birth to a son, Michael.

Queen Marie is said to be in "the best of health," and the unnamed infant prince is also doing well.