Sofia Hellqvist officially became a member the Swedish royal family late in the afternoon on Saturday 13 June when she married Prince Carl Philip in a stunning wedding ceremony at the royal chapel in Stockholm. Looking elated, and unable to hide their broad smiles, the newlyweds said "I do" in front of close friends, family and a host of European royalty including the Earl and Countess of Wessex, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Mette-Marit of Norway.The bride was radiant in a gown by Swedish designer Ida Sjöstedt. Taking inspiration from her sister-in-law Crown Princess Victoria, Sofia opted for a fashion house from her native country to create her fairytale wedding dress.
© Photo: RexSofia's father Erik Hellqvist proudly walked his 30-year-old daughter down the aisle, where she was met by her 36-year-old husband-to-be. Both Carl Philip and his sister Victoria were seen wiping away a few tears of joy upon seeing the radiant bride.Carl Philip's parents King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silva, sister Princess Victoria, and brother-in-law Prince Daniel proudly watched from the front row, while their daughter Princess Estelle sat separately due to her starring role as the couple's ring bearer.
© Photo: RexDespite being heavily pregnant, and due to give birth to her second child any day now, Princess Madeleine and her husband Chris O'Neill were in attendance with their one-year-old daughter Princess Leonore.Representing Täby-born Sofia's family were her mother and father Marie and Erik and her sisters Sara and Lina Hellqvist, who were joined by their respective boyfriends Oskar Bergman and Jonas Frejd.The moving ceremony featured readings by Princess Victoria and Lina Hellqvist and songs including Coldplay's Fix You and a Swedish version of Rihanna's hit Umbrella.
© Photo: RexOnce the service was over, Carl Philip and Sofia left chapel to singing and applause from the congregation and proceeded to greet the awaiting well-wishers – delighting them by sharing their first kiss as husband and wife.The duo then stepped into their horse-drawn carriage for a procession through the streets of the Swedish capital.
© Photo: RexThe barouche, which was the same one that Madeleine and Chris had for their big day and King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia used at their 1976 nuptials, took the couple through Slottsbacken, Skeppsbron, Slottskajen, Norrbro, Regeringsgatan, Hamngatan, Nybroplan, Nybrokajen and Hovslagargatan, among other places.
The couple then arrived back at the royal palace where a lavish dinner took place in the opulent White Sea Hall, followed by dancing in Karl XI's Gallery.
