Prince Daniel of Sweden, set to become his country’s first male consort, has chosen to make a bold statement as his royal family celebrates him.
Daniel, husband of Crown Princess Victoria, is celebrating his birthday and for the official photo marking the day, he chose to dress down in clothes with a message.
The prince, who is turning 52, wore a statement T-shirt for his birthday photo. It features the logo of Generation Pep, the organisation he set up with his wife to support children and young people to have active and healthy lifestyles.
The photo was taken just hours before Daniel marked his birthday. The prince was snapped at the annual Pep Day event in Haga Park where young people take part in sports and activities.
Daniel, who was born Olof Westling in 1973, is lined up to make royal history in Sweden. His wife, Crown Princess Victoria, is in line to become queen and, when she does, Daniel will become her consort – the first time a man has held that position in Swedish history.
(Sara Friberg/The Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts The Royal Court)
Victoria will be only the third queen regnant of her country. Queen Christina, who reigned between 1632 and 1654, was never married. Queen Ulrika Eleonora, who held the throne briefly between 1718 and 1720, was married but she stood aside in favour of her husband who became King Frederick I and so isn’t counted as an official consort.
The Crown Princess of Sweden married Daniel Westling, as he was then known, on June 19 2010 in Stockholm. They have two children – Princess Estelle, 13, and Prince Oscar, 7.
Daniel was made a prince ahead of his marriage to the future queen but he’s unlikely to take the title of king consort as that has, so far, never been used in any monarchy.
He was born Olof Daniel Westling on September 15 1973, the day that Victoria’s father took the throne of Sweden as King Carl XVI Gustaf.
Since his marriage into the Swedish royal family, Daniel has carved a role for himself as a supporter of business, art and organisations focused on healthy lifestyles and supporting young people.
