Look who’s three! Prince Gabriel of Sweden celebrates birthday

Sweden’s Prince Gabriel, Duke of Dalarna, is celebrating his third birthday today with his family – parents, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia, and older brother, Prince Alexander.

To mark their son’s special day, Carl Philip and Sofia released a photo on their official Instagram account. They said: “Congratulations to our beloved Gabriel on his 3rd birthday.”

Gabriel Carl Walther was born on 31 August 2017 in Danderyd Hospital in Danderyd, Sweden. His name and duchy were announced by his grandfather, King Carl XVI Gustaf in a cabinet meeting on 4 September. The young royal’s full title is His Royal Highness Prince Gabriel Carl Walther of Sweden, Duke of Dalarna. A Te Deum service was held later that day to celebrate his birth.

Prince Gabriel was christened into the Church of Sweden on 1 December 2017 in the Royal Chapel of Drottningholm Palace. His godparents are his paternal aunt, Princess Madeleine; maternal aunt, Sara Hellqvist; paternal cousin, Thomas de Toledo Sommerlath; friend of his father, Oscar Kylberg; and friend of his mother, Carolina Pihl.

He is sixth in line to the Swedish throne behind his paternal aunt, Crown Princess Victoria; her two children, Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar; his father, Prince Carl Philip; and his older brother, Prince Alexander.

He held the style of His Royal Highness until October of last year when his grandfather revoked the style from his grandchildren through his younger two children, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Madeleine. The five grandchildren (Princes Nicolas, Alexander and Gabriel and Princesses Leonore and Adrienne) were also removed from the Royal House but remain members of the Royal Family.

This was done to streamline the monarchy, as only the children of heir Crown Princess Victoria kept the styles and their positions in the Royal House. The other royal grandchildren will not be expected to undertake royal duties on behalf of the Crown once they are grown.