Any royal wedding fans feeling lost now the Luxembourg wedding is over will be pleased to know there are some new nuptials to look forward to. The Swedish Palace has announced the happy news Princess Madeleine is to marry her banker boyfriend Chris O'Neill.Excitement began to build on Thursday morning when local papers reported the handsome US financier had presented Madeleine with a ring a month ago in New York but the couple had kept their engagement secret.
Sweden's Queen Silvia confirmed the reports shortly after 9am, speaking to news agency TT. "The princess is very happy and so are we. He is every mother-in-law's dream," said the bride-to-be's joyful mother, who celebrated her daughter's news during a trip to the Big Apple with her husband a few weeks ago.At the same time the royal Court published an official confirmation on their website, reading: "The Marshal of the Realm is delighted to announce the engagement between Princess Madeleine and Mr Christopher O'Neill. "After His Majesty The King of Sweden had given his consent to the marriage between Princess Madeleine and Mr Christopher O'Neill, His Majesty requested the approval by the Swedish Government, in accordance with the procedures set out in the Swedish Constitution. "The wedding will be celebrated next summer in Sweden – though no official date has been set yet – revealed Madeleine herself in an interview to celebrate her engagement. It was released with three photos which were taken of the couple on Wednesday at Stockholm's Royal Palace by world-renowned French photographer Patrick Demarchelier.Thirty-year-old Madeleine's joy shines through in the charming pictures, in which she shows off for the first time the delicate diamond ring that sealed the deal.Madeleine, the younger daughter of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, started dating 37-year-old Chris in January 2011, but their relationship wasn't confirmed until a month later. Madeleine fell for Chis after moving to the Big Apple for some time out following the end of her relationship with Swedish lawyer Jonas Bergstrom.
Rumours began to circulate at the start of 2010 that the former couple's relationship was in crisis. After denials from Jonas and the Swedish monarch the Palace finally issued a statement saying that the couple had called off their engagement.Jonas had proposed during a romantic holiday to Capri and they had planned to marry at the end of 2010 – after Madeleine's big sister Crown Princess Victoria's summer wedding with her gym-owner fiancé Daniel Westling. But it was not meant to be.The relationship broke down after the pair had enjoyed eight years together amidst claims Jonas had been unfaithful to Madeleine with a Norwegian student during a skiing holiday.With Madeleine's wedding in the pipeline, and Victoria happily married to Prince Daniel – with whom she has a baby daughter, Princess Estelle – the only member of the family now left to make things official with his other half is the sisters' brother Prince Carl Philip.
The handsome young royal has been dating Swedish model Sofía Hellqvist since January 2010. Their romance was revealed in July that year when the Royal Palace blocked the publication of photos which showed Sofia posing in a state of undress.The couple's romance caused something of a stir at first since the 27-year-old brunette is known in Sweden for having participated in reality TV show Paradise Hotel in 2005.
Interview to mark the couple's engagementDrottningholm Palace, October 24How does it feel to be engaged?Princess Madeleine: We are both extremely happy and delighted. It is a very special day for us.When and how did Christopher propose?Princess Madeleine: Chris proposed to me at the beginning of October. It was a very romantic and intimate proposal, but more details about the proposal we want to keep to ourselves.Christopher, were you nervous? Had you planned this for a long time?I had been thinking about proposing for a while, but I wanted to wait until the right moment. But I have been sure all along that Madeleine was the one I wanted to marry.Where did you meet the first time?Princess Madeleine: We met through mutual friends. For me it started with a great friendship. We share the same humor and we have a lot of fun together. Christopher opened up my heart, he is my soul mate.Christopher, when did you know Princess Madeleine was the one?From the very outset, I immediately felt something special with Madeleine.What was your first impression of Christopher?Princess Madeleine: I appreciate Chris for his warmth and his humour. He has a very big heart and he manages to make everyone in his presence feel good. Christopher is a very thoughtful and generous person.Christopher, did you ask the King's permission for Princess Madeleine's hand?Yes, I met with The King and I asked His Majesty's permission to marry Princess Madeleine.What was the King´s response?Christopher O'Neill: The King and The Queen were both happy, and touched as well, I think.Christopher, do you know any Swedish?I can say some Swedish phrases and am in the process of taking lessons so that I may speak fluently in due course.Princess Madeleine, how do you feel about Christopher's family?I appreciate Christopher's family very much. They have always been very nice to me and welcomed me with open arms. Christopher has a lovely family!Christopher, how do you feel about Princess Madeleine's family?I know the Swedish royal family very well. They have been extremely welcoming to me and I felt part of the family right from the very beginning. Madeleine's family is very warm and we have a very good time when we all see each other.Talking about family, will you start planning for a family right away?Princess Madeleine: Of course we look forward to getting married and someday building our own family.Where will you live?Princess Madeleine: For the time being we will continue to live in New York due to both of our current obligations. However, we will not exclude the possibility of moving to Sweden in due course.Christopher, what do you think about Sweden?Sweden is fantastic. It is such a beautiful country with very friendly people. I have mostly just been to Stockholm and Öland but I hope I will have the opportunity to visit Sweden a little more often now.Lastly and most importantly, when is the big day?Princess Madeleine: We will have to get back to you regarding that. The wedding will take place in Sweden sometime during the summer of 2013.
