At noon local time in Sweden, His Royal Highness Prince Gabriel, the second son of Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia, was christened into the Church of Sweden in the Royal Chapel of Drottningholm Palace.
The christening was aired live on SVT and will remain on their website until 31 December for free viewing. It can be viewed here.
Princess Madeleine, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia’s younger sister, Sara Hellqvist all gave readings. Two of the songs performed were done in English, fittingly, including the song “Gabriel.”
When it came time for the water to be sprinkled on Gabriel’s head, he began to cry as he was taken from his mother’s arms by the Archbishop. As soon as he was handed back to his mother, he stopped crying leading to many in the audience to laugh and aw. Meanwhile, older brother, one-year-old Alexander, disappeared behind the godparents and was seen laying on the floor before being picked up. Later, he was walking around greeting different people in the church. He reunited with his parents and baby brother as the christening ended.
His paternal aunt, Princess Madeleine and maternal aunt, Sara Hellqvist, Oscar Kylberg, Carolina Pihls and Thomas de Toledo Sommerlath were all selected as godparents and announced yesterday.
Oscar is a business partner of Prince Carl Philip through their graphic design company Bernadotte & Kylberg, and Carolina Pihls was a business partner of Princess Sofia prior to her marriage to Carl Philip and is still a close friend. Thomas de Toledo Sommerlath is a maternal cousin of Prince Carl Philip.
Prince Gabriel wore the traditional Swedish christening gown that his four older cousins and older brother wore at their christenings. Princess Sofia, who was raised in Darlana, wore the traditional Darlana dress to the christening in honour of where she grew up and her son’s duchy.
The water used in the baptism was from a spring in Öland, and Princess Estelle was given the honour of pouring it into the baptism font. His Majesty also presented his youngest grandson with the Royal Order of the Seraphim during the service.
When the family left the church to appear outside before the crowd, Gabriel had been wrapped up against the cold. The wrap and bonnet matched the christening gown, and as the family was walking to the reception inside Drottningholm Palace, it began to snow.
Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia will greet their guests as Prince Gabriel lays in Karl XV’s cradle. A lunch will be served afterwards. Official photos will be taken during this time and are expected to be released in the coming days.
All of the Swedish Royal Family were in attendance with the exception of the two children of Princess Madeleine and husband, Christopher O’Neill. Royal Central has contacted the Royal Court for comment but has not heard back.
Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia have asked that people donate to the Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia Foundation or Project Playground instead of gifts for the baptism. People can send greetings and congratulations to the Prince Family on the Royal Family’s website, here.
Gabriel was not the first royal grandchild of the King and Queen christened at Drottningholm’s chapel. Big brother, one-year-old Prince Alexander, and cousins, three-year-old Princess Leonore and two-year-old Prince Nicolas, were also baptised in the Royal Chapel.
Prince Gabriel Carl Walther was born on 31 August 2017 at Danderyd Hospital at 11:24 am. The new prince weighed 3400 g and was 49cm long.
Proud grandfather King Carl XVI Gustaf announced that the second child of Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia would be named Gabriel Carl Walther and hold the Duchy of Darlana. His full title is His Royal Highness Prince Gabriel Carl Walther of Sweden, Duke of Darlana. He announced this at a cabinet meeting on 4 September alongside Crown Princess Victoria.
The Prince’s names come from his paternal grandfather, the King and paternal great-grandfather, Walther (the father of Queen Silvia). Darlana is the area where Princess Sofia grew up.
