The third in line to the Swedish throne swaps wedding vows with the former 'Paradise Hotel' star in the chapel of Stockholm's Royal Palace.
- June 14, 2015
AceShowbiz -
Sweden is celebrating a royal wedding. Prince Carl Philip, the son of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and Queen Silvia, tied the knot with former model Sofia Hellqvist Saturday, June 13 in a lavish ceremony in the chapel of Stockholm's Royal Palace.
The groom donned a black military uniform while his bride walked down the aisle in a white lace dress by Swedish designer Ida Sjostedt. It had an open v-neck, a long train, and a cathedral-length veil. A low bun, an emerald and diamond tiara, and a bouquet of orange roses completed her bridal look.
A cover version of Coldplay's "Fix You" and a Swedish version of Rihanna's "Umbrella" were reportedly played at the wedding. The newlyweds were driven in a horse-drawn carriage through Stockholm before returning to the palace for a reception.
The prince, 36, is the third in line to the Swedish throne after his sister Crown Princess Victoria, 38, and her three-year-old daughter, Princess Estelle. They were among the royal guests at the ceremony along with their sibling Princess Madeleine, 33, as well as the King and Queen.
Europe's royal families in attendance included Queen Sonja of Norway along with her son Crown Prince Haakon and his wife Princess Mette-Marit, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, and Queen Margrethe II of Denmark along with Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary, Prince Joachim and Princess Marie. The House of Windsor was represented by the Earl and Countess of Wessex.
Hellqvist, 30, once posed in various states of undress for men's magazine "Slitz" before competing with other young scantily-clad singles to stay the longest in a luxury hotel as part of Swedish reality show "Paradise Hotel" in 2005. She later left the country for New York, where she studied accounting and worked as a yoga teacher and waitress.
"I can say I have lived my life to the fullest," she said. She additionally told Swedish Television in January, "I don't regret anything. All these experiences have made me the person I am. I wouldn't have made those choices today."
Prince Carl Philip met Sofia Hellqvist at a Stockholm nightclub in 2010. Following their marriage, she is given the official title of Princess Sofia of Sweden, Duchess of Varmland.
