In the magnificent, gold-trimmed 17th-century chapel where her ancestors have been baptised for generations, Princess Estelle, Duchess of Ostergotland was christened, surrounded by a dazzling array of European royals. Living up to her name, the daughter of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and her husband Daniel was a little star during the ceremony, which was beamed live to the nation.
She was as good as gold, hardly making a sound as the Archbishop of Uppsala, Anders Wejryd, who presided over her parents' lavish nuptials, officiated. Her eyes misting over with emotion, proud mum Victoria handed her over dressed in the baptismal gown that she and her father, King Carl XVI Gustaf had worn before. The little girl merely opened her eyes curiously as baptismal water was poured over her head, using a font made of Indonesian silver. Dating back to 1746, it was first used for the christening of Prince Gustav III. The king brought the water himself from Solliden, the family's summer palace. Built in 1906 on the Baltic island of Öland by his great-grandmother Victoria, it's one of their favourite retreats.
Afterwards, Carl Gustaf decorated the young princess with the Order of the Seraphim, which is given exclusively to members of the Swedish royal family and foreign heads of state. Estelle is one of a new generation of female future sovereigns. Along with Elisabeth of Belgium, Dutch Princess Catharina-Amalia and Ingrid Alexandra of Norway, she is likely to reign towards the middle of the century. Her status was reflected in the list of godparents. Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, and the future king of the Netherlands, Willem-Alexander – Amalia's dad – were named as godfathers, along with Victoria's brother, Carl Philip. Estelle's godmother is Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, who arrived accompanied by husband Frederik, and mother-in-law, Queen Margrethe.
The Danish contingent came fresh from a beautiful family christening of their own.Daniel's sister Anna Westling Söderström was another godmother. Victoria is particularly close to her in-laws – at their wedding the father of former gym owner Daniel spoke affectionately of her warmth and openness.The family group was completed by the crown princess' sister Madeleine, who was accompanied by her partner US banker Chris O'Neill and Carl Philip's TV personality girlfriend Sofia Hellqvist.
It was the first time that either had attended a royal gathering – and commentators suggested that Victoria's fairytale wedding to Daniel had made it easier for other commoners to be accepted into the family. Certainly, the excited crowds waiting outside the Palace have taken this modern royal couple to their hearts. Asked why they had come, many well-wishers commented on their youth, freshness and vitality. Carl Philip's girlfriend takes her place among stylish royal ladies'I love you Victoria': Sweden takes new prince to their hearts after wedding speechVictoria and Daniel share first dance as man and wife at glittering reception
VIP guest list
- Belgium - Crown Prince Phillipe and Crown Princess Mathilde
- Denmark - Queen Magrethe and Prince Henrik
- Denmark - Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary
- Finland - President Niinisto and First Lady Haukio
- Iceland - First Lady Dorrit Moussaief
- Luxembourg - Prince Guillaume and Countess Stephanie de Lannoy
- Netherlands - Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Maxima
- Norway - Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Martha Louise
