An heir

Wonderful if slightly disappointing news out of Japan. Princess Kiko had a boy. I still hope that country changes the rules of succession for the Chrysanthemum throne. A female Empress one day would be a good thing in TFM's opinion.

Linked to- Jo's Cafe, Third World County, Basil's Blog,

TOKYO -- Japan's Princess Kiko gave birth to a boy early Wednesday, the royal family's first male heir to the throne in more than 40 years, the palace announced.

The birth came about an hour after Kiko, 39, was reported to have undergone a Caesarean section. The boy is the third in line to the throne, after Crown Prince Naruhito and Kiko's husband, Prince Akishino.

The boy, the first male heir born in Japan since Akishino in 1965, was born at 8:27 a.m. and weighed about 7 1/2 pounds, the palace said.