Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia of Sweden have thanked fans for their well-wishes on their youngest son, Prince Julian’s christening on Saturday.
In an Instagram post, the couple said: “Yesterday, our beloved Julian was baptized. Thank you for all the best wishes!”
They also shared a new behind the scenes photo from the christening at Drottningholm Palace.
On Friday, the Royal Court announced Julian’s godparents. They are close friends of Sofia, Johan and Stina Andersson; schoolmate of Carl Philip, Jacob Högfeldt; maternal cousin of Carl Philip, Patrick Sommerlath; and Sofia’s co-founder of Project Playground, Frida Vesterberg; they all participated in the service.
Prince Julian was christened in the Royal Chapel of Drottningholm Palace at noon yesterday. Bishop Johan Dalman and the Royal Court’s pastor, Michael Bjerkhagen, conducted the service.
The little royal sat happily in his mother’s arms throughout the christening but fell asleep as the ceremony was coming to an end. His older brothers, Princes Alexander and Gabriel, helped pour the water in the baptism font and kept greeting family members throughout the ceremony, much to those in the church’s amusement. The young royals also did not want to walk out of the church with their parents and kept trying to stay back with their aunt, Princess Madeleine.
Those in attendance included King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel, Princess Estelle, Prince Oscar, Princess Madeleine. Chris O’Neill, Princess Leonore, Prince Nicolas and Princess Adrienne. Government officials also attended; however, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven did not attend. Minister of Justice, Morgan Johansson, attended in his place. The county of Halland’s governor Brittis Benzler also attended. The family of Queen Silvia and Princess Sofia were also in attendance, as were personal friends of Carl Philip and Sofia.
After the religious service, the royals and their guests posed before the press outside the Royal Chapel. They then went to Drottningholm Palace for a reception and lunch.
The baptism did not air live on television like that of his brothers and cousins, but a one-hour summary aired on Sunday evening on SVT that showed the highlights of the event. It can be viewed here.
Official photos from the ceremony should be released in the coming days.
