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Clintons "so happy" about granddaughter Charlotte

The former president hopes his absence at a fundraiser is "excused" after his daughter Chelsea gave birth to a baby girl
Bill Clinton: Granddaughter makes family "a bit bigger" 01:40

Bill and Hillary Clinton welcomed the birth of their granddaughter Charlotte in a statement Saturday, saying they're "blessed, grateful and so happy to be the grandparents of a beautiful girl."

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Former President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, hold their new granddaughter Charlotte, who was born Friday to their daughter Chelsea. Jon Davidson, Office of President Clinton

Charlotte Clinton Mezvinsky was born Friday evening to the Clintons' daughter, Chelsea, and her husband Marc Mezvinsky.

Chelsea Clinton, 34, announced the birth on Twitter, writing that she and her husband "are full of love, awe, and gratitude as we celebrate the birth of our daughter."

"At 7:03 PM on September 26th, we finally met Charlotte," she added on Saturday. "We're in love."

Clinton and Mezvinsky were married in 2010. The former first daughter first announced her pregnancy in April.

Former President Clinton and his wife, a former secretary of state and potential 2016 presidential candidate, said Saturday they are "thrilled to be with our daughter and her husband as they welcome their daughter into the world."

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Chelsea Clinton and her husband Marc Mezvinsky are shown in this photo with their daughter Charlotte. Jon Davidson, Office of President Clinton

"Chelsea is well and glowing," they added. "Marc is bursting with pride. Charlotte's life is off to a good start."

The former first couple were shown holding the baby in a picture tweeted by Bill Clinton Saturday. "Charlotte, your grandmother @HillaryClinton and I couldn't be happier," he wrote.

Bill Clinton on Hillary's 2016 hopes: She'd rather be a grandmother than president 03:16

In a tweet of her own, Hillary Clinton added, "@BillClinton and I are over the moon to be grandparents! One of the happiest moments of our life."

The former president was scheduled to attend a fundraiser in Colorado Saturday on behalf of Democratic Sen. Mark Udall and Gov. John Hickenlooper, but he was forced to cancel his appearance due to the birth.

Still, not even a brand new baby could keep Mr. Clinton, a legendary political animal, off the campaign trail entirely. He managed to call into the fundraiser by speakerphone, joking, "I hope I've got an excused absence."

"You all know my family just got a little bigger, and I thought I oughta stay right home where I'm needed," he said.

The new grandparents have both been waiting with bated breath for this moment. After Chelsea announced the pregnancy in April, Hillary Clinton tweeted, "My most exciting title yet: Grandmother-To-Be!"

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