Prince Carl Philip of Sweden beamed from ear to ear as he attended a special Te Deum Thanksgiving service with his family on Friday. Naturally, the royal had a lot to smile about. He has just become a dad for the first time following the birth of his son three days ago.
While his wife Princess Sofia was notably absent from the service, Carl Philip, 36, was joined by other family members. His parents King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia sat to his right in the church, while his older sister and future queen Crown Princess Victoria and Victoria's husband Prince Daniel were to his left.
The new father showed no signs of sleepless night – yet. Instead, Carl Philip was his handsome, dapper self in a smart suit and silver tie.
Prince Carl Philip welcomed his first child on Tuesday
Members of Sofia's family, the Hellqvists, as well as representatives of the royal court were also in attendance.
Sofia and her new son Prince Alexander will have been resting at home at Drottningholm Palace while the rest of the family celebrated the prince's birth at the royal palace's chapel in Stockholm.
Alexander was born at 6:25 pm on Tuesday at the Danderyd hospital in Stockholm, a statement from the palace revealed. He weighed about 7.9 pounds and mother and baby are doing well.
The Swedish royals attend the Te Deum Thanksgiving service
The following day Sofia, Carl Philip and baby Alexander left the hospital. A picture of the new family was shared by the palace showing the newborn, who is now fifth-in-line to the throne, fast asleep in his car seat.
The honour of revealing the baby's name was left to proud grandfather King Carl, who has four other grandchildren. In keeping with tradition, the king announced the name at a cabinet meeting two days after Alexander's birth.
The couple named their newborn son Prince Alexander
Royal fans are now waiting to see the first official solo portrait of the newborn, which will probably be released in the next few days, as is customary.
The Swedish royals have experienced somewhat of a baby boom in the past year. Princess Victoria welcomed her second child, Prince Oscar, in March. Victoria and Carl Philip's younger sister Princess Madeleine also gave birth to a baby boy Prince Nicolas last June.
