In the countdown to her wedding Princess Madeleine isn't, like some brides frazzled and stressed, reports the Swedish media. That's despite the fact that the international guest list features royals from across Europe and the family of bridegroom Chris O'Neill who are travelling from America and Britain. "It feels really good. I thought I'd be more nervous and stressed out but I'm not," the royal told Metro newspaper. "I am just very much looking forward to our big day."
Madeleine is also hoping for a "beautiful day with good weather". "I'd be very happy if we could show Stockholm off at its best," she added.The Swedish royal household has not revealed details of the guests. But international visitors are thought to include Danish royals, Crown Prince Frederik and his wife Princess Mary, as well as his brother Joachim, accompanied by his wife Marie. Madeleine's godmother Princess Benedikte will also make up the party.Frederik's mother Queen Margrethe and Princess Benedikte are cousins of the bride's father King Carl Gustaf.Their sister Anne-Marie of Greece is sending her son Prince Nikolaos and his wife Tatiana, who will make the journey from their home in London.
Madeleine will have warm memories of their wedding three years ago on the beautiful island of Spetses.Britain is represented by Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex, who were last in Sweden for the nuptials of her sister Crown Princess Victoria and husband Prince Daniel.Also expected are Prince Haakon and Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, who will be joined by Haakon's sister Martha Louise and her husband Ari Behn.There will be places in the pews for some of the couple's inner circle. Among them are Madeleine's close confidante Louise Gottlieb, Emma Pernald, the former girlfriend of her brother Prince Carl Philip, Luisa de Geer, Katarina and Robert von Horn and Charlotte Kreuger.The 30-year-old bride has been busy planning ever since Chris' proposal last October. So the day they become man and wife should be truly unforgettable.
Following the 4pm ceremony in Stockholm's magnificent Royal Chapel, a 21-gun salute will be fired at five second intervals from the nearby island of Skeppsholmen. The newlyweds will parade through the old town in a horse-drawn carriage.
Guests can then dance the night away at an evening reception held in Drottningholm Palace, the official residence of the King and his wife Queen Silvia.