BREAKING NEWS: Crown Princess Victoria Gives Birth To A Daughter

The Swedish Royal Court website announced today the birth of a daughter to Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Prince Daniel.

The baby weighed 3280 grams (7.23 lbs.) and her length was 51 cm (20 in.) Victoria delivered the little princess at Karolinska Hospital in Solna.

Below is the official announcement issued by Svante Lindqvist, Marshal of the Realm.

The Office of the Marshal of the Realm is delighted to announce that H.R.H Crown Princess Victoria gave birth to a daughter on Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 04.26 am.

Both mother and child are in good health.

Svante Lindqvist
Marshal of the Realm

Crown Princess Victoria Announces Pregnancy

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Prince Daniel announced today that they are expecting their first child.

Below is the official announcement from the royal couple.

The Crown Princess Couple is expecting a child

Their Royal Highnesses The Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel are happy to announce that The Crown Princess is expecting their first child.

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.

Sumptuous Wedding Banquet for Crown Princess Victoria

The Hall of State at the Royal Palace of Stockholm was renovated for Crown Princess Victoria’s wedding banquet. The meal began at 8:00 pm.

The Menu
Wedding banquet at the Royal Palace of Stockholm, 19 June 2010

MENU

Norway lobster from the west coast, served with summer truffles and truffle caviar, citrus marinated farmed cod on a bed of flowers with cucumber jelly and chilled green pea soup with Kalix whitefish roe

Landö char with herb coating, poached quail egg, green asparagus and beetroot from Gotland, served with a nettle and ramsons sauce

Sirloin of veal from Stenhammar with roasted shallot crisps, potato gratin with Allerum cheese, tomato terrine, carrots cooked with thyme in a white cabbage and tarragon gravy

Strawberry mousse with rhubarb centre and vanilla ice cream in white chocolate

WINE

Champagne Pommery 2000 Grand Cru

Sancerre Les Pierris 2008 Domaine Roger Champault

Pommard 1:er Cru Epenots 2002 Louis Jadota

Château Simon 2007 Sauternes

Speeches by the king, Victoria’s father-in-law and the bridegroom were interspersed throughout the fabulous feast. Afterwards, Victoria and Daniel cut into a white cake that had eleven tiers (330 cm).

King Carl XVI Gustaf wedding banquet speech can be read here and viewed here.

Prince Daniel’s wedding banquet speech can be read here and viewed here.

For more information about Crown Princess Victoria’s wedding, visit the official website.

Photo: Fredrik Sandberg, Scanpix

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden Weds Daniel Westling

Amidst much pomp and circumstance, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden wedded Daniel Westling at Stockholm Catheral today. The grand affair took place at 3:30 pm (local time). The bride wore a cream-coloured duchess silk satin wedding dress; the design created by Pär Engsheden. Its train was almost five metres long and the shoes were covered with the same fabric of the dress. Victoria had on her head a cameo tiara. According to the Swedish Royal Court website, it was a tradition that started with Princess Birgitta in 1961 upon her marriage to Prince Johann Georg of Hohenzollern. Queen Silvia, Victoria’s mother, donned the tiara for her wedding to King Carl XVI Gustaf on June 19, 1976. The ornate lace veil which was attached to the back of Victoria’s hairstyle originally belong to Queen Sofia, wife of Oskar II of Sweden. The crown princess carried a wedding bouquet of white flowers consisting of lily of the valley, rose, phalaenopsis orchid, peony, clematis, cosmos, wax flower, sweet pea, dicentra formosa, Mårbacka pelargonium, Amazon lily, gardenia, azalea, bleeding heart and the traditional myrtle from Sofiero.

Her bridesmaids wore white silk organza dresses with white ballet slippers and carried lilies of the valley in their bouquets. In keeping with a Bernadotte family tradition, the page boys wore sailor suits.

The groom wore a black tuxedo with white tie.

Archbishop Anders Wejryd officiated over the wedding ceremony.

Upon his marriage to Crown Princess Victoria, Daniel Westling became His Royal Highness Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland. His father-in-law, King Carl XVI Gustaf, bestowed upon him Knight of the Order of the Seraphim after the wedding.

Excerpts from the wedding ceremony of Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling can be read here.

The entire wedding ceremony speech by Archbishop Anders Wejryd can be read here.

A Stv.se video of the wedding ceremony can be viewed here.

Photo: Henrik Montgomery, Scanpix

LIVE: Streaming Video of Crown Princess Victoria’s Wedding

Sveriges Television will be providing the live coverage of Crown Princess Victoria’s marriage to Daniel Westling today. Whilst waiting for the link to start streaming, drop a congratulations note to the bridal couple here.

For the Svt.se live streaming link, click here.

30th Birthday Celebrations for Prince Carl Philip

Prince Carl Philip of Sweden celebrated his 30th birthday yesterday amidst grand fanfare. Hundreds of people gathered in the inner court of the palace to extend their best wishes.Carl Philip Edmund Bertil was born on May 13, 1979. Besides having the title of prince, he is the Duke of Värmland. He is the only son of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden. He is commissioned in the navy as a lieutenant and attended the Forsbergs School of Design to complete a two-year course in Graphic Design.

He has two sisters. His older sister is Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden; she recently announced her engagement to Daniel Westling after a courtship of seven years and his younger sister is Princess Madeleine.

Photos: REUTERS

Victoria Announces Wedding Date

The Swedish Royal Court website announced today the date and venue of the wedding ceremony between Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling. The couple will marry on June 19, 2010 at the Storkyrkan in Stockholm, Sweden. On the same day, the Swedish king and queen will celebrate thirty-three years of marriage. Victoria is following a Bernadotte tradition by choosing June 19th as her wedding day.

Photo: REUTERS

Crown Princess Victoria Displays Engagement Ring at Photo-Op

Yesterday morning, Crown Princess Victoria officially announced her intent to marry Daniel Westling after receiving consent from her father and the Swedish government. The media was then invited to Princess Sibylla’s Apartment at the Royal Palace in Stockholm later in the afternoon for a photo opportunity with the newly engaged couple. Victoria and Daniel fielded some questions from reporters and the princess demurely displayed her diamond solitaire engagement ring. The wedding is planned for the summer of 2010.Part I of the Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling engagement photo opportunity can be viewed here.

Part II of the Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling engagement photo opportunity can be viewed here. Photos: REUTERS

Victoria and Daniel Will Wed in 2010

The Swedish Royal Family officially announced today the engagement of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden to Daniel Westling. The couple will wed in the early summer of 2010. King Carl XVI Gustaf and his wife, Queen Silvia, appeared with their daughter and her fiancé in a video broadcast to convey their happiness over the engagement announcement. The king said it was special day for them and also for Sweden whilst the queen said that Daniel would make a wonderful husband for her daughter.Daniel met Victoria in 2002 and embarked on a seven-year courtship with the princess before asking for her hand in marriage and receiving consent from the king and the Swedish government. Upon his marriage to Princess Victoria, Daniel will be known forthwith as Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland.

For those wishing to extend engagement congratulations to Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling (sorry, it is in Swedish only), visit the Swedish Royal Court website.

Photos: Swedish Royal Court

Princess Margriet Roots for Dutch Athletes

As a honorary board member of the International Paralympic Committee, Princess Margriet of the Netherlands attended the Paralympic Summer Games in Beijing from September 5th to September 10th. The honorary board’s purpose is to “allow leaders of society an opportunity to support the vision of the Paralympic Movement and to strive to maintain the issue of sport for persons with a disability high on the agenda of the global community.” Other royal members of the IPC Honorary Board include Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, Prince Albert of Monaco and Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein.

For more information on the International Paralympic Committee, visit the official website.

Willem and Victoria Participate in 2008 World Water Week

As Chairman of the UNSGAB, the Prince of Orange broke away from the excitement of the Beijing Olympics to support 2008 World Water Week in Stockholm on Monday.

Beginning on August 17th and ending on August 23rd, the theme for this year’s World Water Week is Progress and Prospects on Water: For a Clean and Healthy World with Special Focus on Sanitation. The prince focused his two speeches on IYS – Sanitation and Hygiene for All and Advancing the MDGs: The UN Watercourses Convention in the Hashimoto Action Plan. He attended a couple of seminars before returning to his other obligation as a member of the International Olympic Committee; observing the Beijing Olympics.

Meanwhile, his royal counterpart, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden presented the 2008 Stockholm Junior Water Prize to Joyce Chai of the United States for her project 'Modelling the Toxic Effects of Silver Nanoparticles under Varying Environmental Conditions.'

The entire speech by the Prince of Orange which focused on IYS – Sanitation and Hygiene for All can be read here.

The entire speech by the Prince of Orange which focused on Advancing the MDGs: The UN Watercourses Convention in the Hashimoto Action Plan can be read here.

Photos: Pontus Lundahl, REUTERS

A Glimpse into Svalbard with the Royal Trio

Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark completed their tour of Svalbard yesterday. A short video clip from B.T. TV which features some candid moments with the royal trio in Svalbard can be seen here.

Photo: REUTERS

Christening of Princess Eléonore

On June 14th, Princess Eléonore, nine and a half week old daughter of Princess Mathilde and Prince Philippe, was christened in the chapel at the Castle of Ciergnon in Houyet. Cardinal Godfried Danneels presided over the service. Her godparents are Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, her aunt Princess Claire and Count Sébastien von Westphalen zu Fürstenberg.Photos: REUTERS, Associated Press/Olivier Poulet

Royal Heirs To Visit Svalbard

Crown Prince Haakon of Norway along with Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden will visit the archipelago of Svalbard in two weeks. The royal heirs are patrons of the International Polar Year in their respective countries. The trio will board the Swedish research vessel Oden at Longyearbyen on June 21st. Included on the tour will be a visit to New Ålesund on June 26th.

For more information on the International Polar Year, visit the official website.

Royals Gather for Intimate Danish Wedding

As the commentators dished about the guests at the wedding of Prince Joachim and Marie Cavallier, the fashion experts discussed the evening wear. Whereas the bride was radiant and dewy in lace, the mothers of the bride and groom serenely glowed in their evening gowns of muted tones. Princess Märtha Louise of Norway, known for her bold fashions, decided to softly accentuate her third pregnancy in a smocked beige gown. Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway wore a light pink gown whilst Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece opted for cherry red gowns.The Møgeltønder Church guestlist from the wedding of Prince Joachim and Marie Cavallier can be read here.

The Schackenborg Slot guestlist from the wedding of Prince Joachim and Marie Cavallier can be read here.

Photos: Steen Brogaard, REUTERS

A Daughter Is Born to Princess Mathilde and Prince Philippe

This morning, Belgium's Princess Mathilde gave birth to a daughter at 4:50 am (local time) at the Erasme à Anderlecht. The names bestowed upon the little princess are Eléonore Fabiola Victoria Anne Marie. She weighed 3,210 kg (7.07lbs) and her length 50 cm (19.69in). Her godparents are Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, Princess Claire of Belgium and Count Sébastien von Westphalen zu Fürstenberg.

Photo: REUTERS

Sweden’s Crown Princess Cuts Ribbon at the 2008 ISC World Figure Skating Championships

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden officially opened the 2008 ISC World Figure Skating Championships in Göteborg at the Scandinavium arena yesterday. The Scandinavium has hosted many major concerts and sporting events since opening in 1971.

For more information on the 2008 ISC World Figure Skating Championships in Göteborg, Sweden, visit the official website.

Photo: REUTERS/Bob Strong (SWEDEN)

Who Is The Fairest Of All The Female Royals?

According to the recent edition of the royal magazine, Vorsten Royale, vivacious Princess Máxima of the Netherlands was voted by readers, the most attractive female royal, garnering 24% of the poll. Queen Rania of Jordan followed closely behind with 23% and Princess Madeleine of Sweden gained 15% of the tally whilst 12% went her elder sister, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.

30th Birthday Bash for Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden

What does the crown princess of Sweden receive for her 30th birthday on July 14th? Well, much to her delight, Crown Princess Victoria was the recipient of a lion tamarin and a flat screen television. The endangered animal resides at Skansen zoo and a plaque mentions the royal connection. As for the flat screen tv, it will be used in her office at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. Amongst her many other gifts, she accepted a donation from Täby Racecourse which was deposited into the Crown Princess Victoria fund.

Other events for the birthday milestone included a family service at the royal palace; a salute fired from Skeppsholmen and a demonstration from the military guard of honour. The festivities concluded in Öland.

In a recent interview, the princess stated that she felt "more secure and calm" than she did a few years ago. This is the second time that her birthday has sparked a major celebration. The last time was for her 18th birthday.

Rasmussen's Views of Sweden and The Queen of Denmark

Splendid pageantry was gloriously exhibited when King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden disembarked from the HMS Visborg on May 9th for a three day state visit to Denmark. The king’s last official visit was in 1975.

The state visit enabled Blauw Bloed’s commentator Jeroen Snel the unique opportunity to ask Denmark’s Statsminister Anders Fogh Rasmussen his views on Sweden and Queen Margrethe II.

Snel: "How important is Sweden to you?"

Rasmussen: "It’s our neighbor and is very important. The theme of this state visit is the integration in the Öresund region, cooperation, strength, and cooperation between Sweden and Denmark, so it is very important."

Snel: "How do you look to the Queen in Denmark?"

Rasmussen: "Well, she is more than a symbol, but she is a symbol of the nation, the unity, our society. She is a symbol of continuity, history and the future. So, as head of state, the queen has a very important role to play."