Japan's Princess gives birth to baby boy

Five pounds and six ounces. That's how much Japan's Princess Kiko's third child weighed when she gave birth by Caesarean section on Wednesday morning. The healthy baby boy is now the third in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne after Crown Prince Naruhito, the Emperor's oldest son, and the baby's father, Prince Akishino. This was the first boy born into the Imperial Family in nearly 41 years, ending years of public debate on whether or not there would be another heir to the throne. According to current Imperial laws, only males who have emperors on their father's side can ascend to the throne.

If royal succession laws remain unchanged, this as-of-yet unnamed baby boy will one day grow up to be the Emperor of Japan.

The newborn baby will soon undergo a series of imperial rituals. A messenger of the emperor will deliver a protective sword to the baby and place it by its pillow. The baby will be named directly by the father during a naming ceremony, usually held on the seventh day following his birth. His mother will decide on a symbol to be used to mark all his belongings.