Prince Alexander of Sweden, the newest arrival of the royal family, will be christened on Friday 9 September it has been announced. Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia's son will be baptised at Drottningholm Palace Church in a ceremony filled with tradition.
The little boy will wear the same christening gown that was first worn by Prince Gustaf Adolf in 1906. The cotton and lace gown has been used by generations of royal babies, including Alexander's dad Prince Carl Philip and his aunties Crown Princess Victoria and Princess Madeleine.
His older cousins Princesses Estelle and Leonore, and Princes Nicolas and Oscar, have been the latest youngsters to wear the dress.
New photos of Prince Alexander of Sweden have been released
Guests are expected to arrive from 11 o'clock in the morning, a programme released by the Swedish royal palace has revealed. The service, which will be aired by national broadcaster SVT, will take place at noon, followed by a reception and lunch for select guests at Drottningholm Palace.
Archbishop Antje Jackelén will officiate, assisted by Bishop Johan Dahlman and Chaplain Michael Bjerkhagen. Baby Alexander, who is fifth-in-line, will be baptised using water from a spring on the island of Öland – a long-standing tradition.
The announcement was made as new family portraits of Alexander and his proud parents Carl Philip and Sofia were released. A beautiful shot captures the first-time parents showing off their little bundle of joy, who is four months old. Another is a close-up snap of the bouncing boy.
The four-month-old will be christened next month
Official photos will be taken at the christening and released to the public shortly after, usually showing the royal baby lying in the elaborately decorated, gold Karl XV cradle. Armed forces will also fire a salute of 21 shots for the newborn prince.
Carl Philip and Sofia have asked those wishing to give a present to their son to consider donating to their charities, Project Playground and the Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia Foundation.
Alexander, whose full name is Alexander Erik Hubertus Bertil, was born on 19 April and is styled as the Duke of Södermanland. He is the first child for Carl Philip and Sofia, who married last summer.
