Crown Princess Victoria and her husband Prince Daniel are expecting their first child in the spring. The Swedish palace has confirmed that the princess, who is heir to the throne, is pregnant.

“Their Royal Highnesses the Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel are happy to announce that the Crown Princess is expecting their first child,” the palace said in a statement. “The birth is expected to take place in March of 2012. No changes in the schedule of the Crown Princess’s public engagements are planned during the fall of 2011.”

Princess Victoria is extremely popular in Sweden, with several recent surveys showing that the majority of the country would prefer to see her take over the throne from her father – King Carl XVI Gustaf – who has been involved in several scandals because of alleged affairs.

The 34-year-old princess married Daniel Westling, her former fitness instructor and longtime partner, in June of last year.

“The whole royal family are thrilled and the Crown Princess is doing well,” said royal spokeswoman Annika Soennerberg.