PARIS, May 30  -- The Principality of Monaco announced in a statement Friday that Prince Albert II and his wife Charlene are expecting a child "by the end of this year."

In a brief statement, the royal palace said "T.S.H the Prince and the Princess of Monaco are delighted to announce the pregnancy of H.S.H. Princess Charlene. The birth is expected at the end of the year."

The couple married on July 2, 2011.