Walking down the aisle of Stockholm’s Royal Chapel on June 13, 2015, wearing a silk gown by Ida Sjöstedt and a diamond and emerald tiara, Sofia Hellqvist looked every inch the perfect princess as she prepared to wed Prince Carl Philip.
Tto their critics, this was no fairytale though and many might be shocked to see them still together and celebrating 10 years of happy marriage this week.
“I was met with an enormous hate storm, from people who had opinions about me as a person, about my relationship,” Sofia admitted to Sweden’s TV4 in 2018 of the reaction after their engagement was announced.
“I was surprised, and it definitely affected me. I didn’t understand that people had such [a] need to express how badly they felt about me.”
How did Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia meet?
The couple started dating in 2010 after meeting in a nightclub. A glamour model who’d posed on the front cover of a men’s magazine with a boa constrictor draped around her torso and little else, as well as a reality TV dating contestant, Sofia hardly seemed a suitable candidate when it came to joining Sweden’s reigning family.
“It’s either her or no-one else,” the prince was reported to have told his royal relatives when asked to find a more appropriate bride.
But true love eventually conquered all, with their wedding going ahead in front of royals from around the world, including the then Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, and Britain’s Prince Edward.
“Today I am the happiest man in the world,” Carl Philip told guests in a speech on their big day.
How many children do Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia have?
Despite her less-than-auspicious start, Sofia has excelled in every aspect of the job since. The couple have started a beautiful family, welcoming sons Prince Alexander, 8, Prince Gabriel, 7, Prince Julian, 3, and 4-month-old daughter Princess Ines.
The princess, who has remained scandal-free since her marriage, has also been applauded for her style and charity work.
Not just one to show up and be presented with a bouquet, Sofia rolled up her sleeves and got to work during the coronavirus pandemic.
No longer able to carry out public engagements due to social distancing restrictions, Sofia undertook a three-day basic medical training course that allowed her to volunteer at Sophiahemmet Hospital in Stockholm, where she had been on the board.
“Together with other newly trained colleagues, I support and relieve the care staff with various tasks, including care of patients and cleaning,” Sofia captioned a post on Instagram that included a photo of her new uniform. “To have the opportunity to help in this difficult time is extremely rewarding.”
Is there a family feud among the Swedish royals?
Just like other monarchies across the world, Sweden is slimming down its working royals. In October 2019, King Carl Gustaf removed the HRH styling of Carl Philip and Sofia’s children, and announced they wouldn’t be receiving any taxpayer funds.
But, unlike other dynasties where it has led to family feuds, Carl Philip and Sofia handled it with class, and have continued to support the King and his heir – the prince’s big sister, Crown Princess Victoria – whenever they are needed.
“We see this as a positive, as Alexander and Gabriel will have freer choices in life,” they said in a statement at the time of the two children they shared.
