Experience Prince Carl Philip’s Royal Wedding with his Fiancée Sofia Hellqvist

Experience Prince Carl Philip’s Royal Wedding with his Fiancée Sofia Hellqvist

By E. Stanley Ukeni

When I read about, and then watched a video footage, the Royal nuptial of H.R.H Prince Carl Philip and his fiancée Sofia Hellqvist, I felt a compelling urge to blog about the royal affair. It’s not just because it is a warm and fussy story to blog about, but because it’s an opportunity to join in a celebration of love with King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia—and indeed all Swedes, who has given so much to the world, and more than a fair share to Africa. In fact, the gorgeous Princess Sofia worked as a volunteer in several African countries. She is truly a heart of gold. The generosity of the Swedish people, and their leaders, makes this story even worth tell the more.   

The lavish wedding ceremony of the Prince Carl Philip—the only son of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia took place inside the Royal Palace chapel in Stockholm. The seemingly fairytale affair on Saturday, June 13^th 2015 was witnessed by about five hundred and fifty guests—which included other royals like Britain’s Prince Edward, Belgium’s Queen Mathilde and Princess Takamado of Japan, to name a few. In all, dozens of other blue-blood guests witness the bride and groom tie the knot, in the elegant ceremony.

In a video footage of the wedding ceremony, the playfully affectionate couple giggled lightheartedly, as Prince Carl Philip briefly struggles with sliding the wedding ring into the finger of his bride. It was such an endearing scene to watch.

After taking the wedding vows, the smiling groom and his visibly emotional bride walked down the aisle of the chapel, before their 550 guests, to the enchanting rhythm of the music of Enya’s ‘Father in Heaven’, to meet a cheering crowd outside. The moment is blissfully divine.

The newlyweds greeted the thousands of flag-waving swedes who gathered outside the royal palace—in the blazing summer sun to celebrate with their prince. A twenty-one gun salute was fired, at five-second intervals, in honor of the Duke and Duchess of Varmland.

The crowd outside the royal palace erupted in wild cheers as Prince Carl Philip affectionately kissed his beautiful wife.

The Prince and his bride then rode in a horse and open carriage procession through the heart of the capital, Stockholm. Thousands of eager and exuberant well-wishers lined either side of the streets as the royal couple rode through in their carriage.

Prince Carl Philips possesses the strength of character that is the substance of true nobility. He stands as a testament that the Swedish Royal House remains an indispensible force for good in European, and indeed our world.

Story by E. Stanley Ukeni, © 2015. All Rights Reserved.

The Biography of the Prince, on the Swedish Royal website tells of an accomplished leader;

Carl Philip, Prince of Sweden, Duke of Värmland, was born on 13 May 1979 at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. He was baptised in the Royal Chapel on 31 August 1979 and was given the names Carl Philip Edmund Bertil.

H.R.H. Prince Bertil, H.M. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, H.R.H. Princess Birgitta and H.R.H. Prince Leopold of Bayern were appointed godparents at the christening.

Prince Carl Philip is the second child of His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf and Her Majesty Queen Silvia.

In accordance with the 1979 Act of Succession, which entered into force on 1 January 1980, Prince Carl Philip is third in line of succession, after Crown Princess Victoria and Princess Estelle.

Education

Prince Carl Philip attended pre-school in Västerled's parish in 1984. In 1986 he started school at Smedslättsskolan in Bromma, where he completed his junior level education.

He completed the intermediate level at Ålstensskolan, also in Bromma, and proceeded from there to senior level education at Enskilda Gymnasiet in Stockholm.

Studies in the USA

In autumn 1994, Prince Carl Philip moved to the USA to study at Kent School, a private school in Connecticut, where he spent two years. The Prince then followed a science programme at Lundbergs Upper Secondary School in Värmland, graduating from this course in 1999.

Prince Carl Philip was confirmed in the summer of 1994 at Vadstena Church, after confirmation studies in Medevi.

Naval Reserve Officer

Prince Carl Philip completed his military service with the Amphibious Battalion of Vaxholm's Coast Artillery Regiment and is trained as a combat boat commander (combat boat 90). In 2001-2002 the Prince completed a Naval Officer training course.

During this time he participated in a long voyage with the mine-laying vessel HMS Carlskrona. Prince Carl Philip became a Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Swedish Navy in December 2002. The Prince achieved the rank of Lieutenant in December 2007 in Stockholm. On October 1, 2014, Prince Carl Philip achieved the rank of Major.

Graphic designer

In May 2006, Prince Carl Philip completed a two-year full-time course in Graphic Design at Forsbergs School of Graphic Design in Stockholm.

Forsbergs organised a four-day final exhibition 18-21 May 2006 at the manège at the Royal Mews.

For his final project, the Prince chose to do a study of the social work of St. Clara's Parish Church in Stockholm.

Prince Carl Philip documented their work over a period of three weeks and photographed people in Stockholm city, who came in for help and who received support from the employees and volunteers of St. Clara's Church.

Internship at National Geographic

Prince Carl Philip continued his photographic studies with an internship at the National Geographic Society in Washington D.C., USA, during the autumn of 2006.

He studied graphic design in the United States during spring 2006.

Exhibition during Linnaeus anniversary year

"A Glimpse of Paradise - Prince Carl Philip interprets the Botanical Gardens in Uppsala" is an exhibition featuring the Prince's photographs, which opened at Museum Gustavianum in May 2007. The exhibition was the result of the Prince's collaborative project with photographer Mattias Klum. The Prince participated in some of the journeys that were conducted for the documentary film Expedition Linné. In February 2008, the exhibition was shown at the Biennial of Photography and Visual Arts in Liège, Belgium, and at Waldemarsudde in Stockholm.

Swedish National Defence College

During the autumn of 2007, Prince Carl Philip studied at the Swedish National Defence College. In spring 2008, the Prince read business economics and continued with his military education.

Design award

In spring 2007, Prince Carl Philip studied design at the famous Rhode Island School of Design in the United States. The school announced a competition to create the best graphic look for Martha's Vineyard Museum in Rhode Island. The Prince won the competition in spring 2008 with a proposal that he submitted under a pseudonym.

Forestry and agriculture

Prince Carl Philip studied agriculture and forestry during autumn 2008 and carried out work experience at Stenhammars gods, among other places. From 2009, the Prince studies at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Alnarp. In January 2012 Prince Carl Philip graduated with a diploma in Agricultural and Rural Management from Alnarp.

Engagement

The engagement between Prince Carl Philip and Miss Sofia Hellqvist was announced Friday June 27, 2014.

The wedding took place on 13 June 2015 in the Royal Chapel at the Royal Palace of Stockholm.

Prince Carl Philip and Prinsess Sofia lives on Djurgården in Stockholm.