Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden celebrates her 37th birthday on Monday 14 July. The Swedish royal, who is first-in-line to the throne, is expected to mark the occasion joined by family and close friends, including her husband Prince Daniel and two-year-old daughter Princess Estelle. To honour Victoria's birthday, HELLO! Online has gathered a list of ten facts you may not have known about the future queen.
© Photo: Getty ImagesCrown Princess Victoria of Sweden is the heir to the Swedish throne
1. Victoria was born on 14 July 1977 at the Karonlinska University Hospital in Solna, Stockholm County, Sweden, the first child of King Carl XVI Gustaf and his wife Queen Silvia. Upon birth, the royal was titled 'Her Royal Highness Princess Victoria of Sweden'. 2. In 1980, Victoria was declared "The Crown Princess" and heir apparent after a change to the Act of Succession law in Sweden stated the oldest child of the king would inherit the throne, regardless of gender. Previously the princess's younger brother Carl Philip had been heir apparent. 3. When Victoria ascends the throne, she will be Sweden's fourth queen regnant since 1720 behind past female monarchs Margaret, Christina and Ulrika Eleonora.
© Photo: Getty ImagesCrown Princess Victoria of Sweden aged two
4. Victoria is godmother to many European royal children including Prince Constantine Alexios of Greece, Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway, Prince Christian of Denmark, Princess Eleonore of Belgium and her own niece, Princess Leonore. 5. In February 2009, it was announced that Victoria was engaged to her former personal trainer Daniel Westling. A year later in June 2010, royals from around the world gathered at Stockholm Cathedral for the wedding, which was described by royal commentators as "Europe's biggest royal wedding" since the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1981. Britain was represented by the Earl and Countess of Wessex.
© Photo: Getty ImagesCrown Princess Victoria of Sweden married her former personal trainer in 2009
6. In 1997, it was confirmed the princess was suffering from anorexia. A statement confirmed the news and explained Victoria was receiving professional help and would continue her studies at Yale University. During this time, the future queen was able to live privately and work on her recovery without the pressures of media attention. 7. Victoria went on to speak frankly about the difficult time in her life. She said in 2002: "I had eating disorders and was aware of it, my anguish was enormous." She added: "I, Victoria, didn't exist. It felt like everything in my life and around me was controlled by others. The one thing I could control was the food I put in me. Now I'm feeling well and with the insights I've acquired through this I can hopefully help someone else."
© Photo: Getty ImagesCrown Princess Victoria of Sweden is mother to two-year-old Princess Estelle
8. In August 2011, Sweden celebrated as it was announced Victoria and Daniel were expecting their first child. In February 2012, the royal gave birth to a baby girl, who the couple named Princess Estelle. 9. As a future queen, Victoria takes her role very seriously supporting causes close to her heart. The princess travels across the world and in recent years has made state visits to Australia, Brazil, Japan and Turkey. She is also a member of the Honorary Board of the International Paralympic Committee. 10. The royal shares her birthday with Glee star Jane Lynch and former Lost actor Matthew Fox.
