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European RoyalsSweden

Two-year-old Prince Alexander of Sweden makes first official visit to Duchy

His Royal Highness Prince Alexander, Duke of Södermanland, visited Gijsjön in Nynäs Nature Reserve on Thursday to open a viewpoint which was given to him as a gift on the occasion of his baptism by Södermanland County.

Accompanied by his parents, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia, the young royal was welcomed to Gijsjön by Södermanland’s governor, Liselotte Hagberg. Prince Alexander officially opened ‘Prince Alexander’s Viewpoint’ by pulling a green ribbon, and Prince Carl Philip gave a short speech on behalf of his son, saying:

“It feels great for us to get here to Södermanland, and that Alexander’s very first official visit to his Duchy will become just this beautiful place, in Nynä’s nature reserve. We are very pleased that you have chosen to make this site more accessible to all, both children and adults. We are also pleased that you can now easily visit Gijsjön – whether you have a disability or if you are a motorist who just wants to take a break in Södermanland.”

Following the Prince’s speech, local conservationists gave the visiting royals a tour of the area and explained how the nature reserve was operated and managed.

Södermanland – which means “South man land” – is a province of Sweden which is named for its position in relation to Lake Mälaren. Prince Alexander is the eight Duke of Södermanland and was granted the title on 21 April 2016, two days after his birth, by his grandfather, King Carl XVI Gustaf.

Prince Alexander is fifth in the line of succession to the Swedish throne and the elder son of Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia. Born on 19 April 2016, he was christened 9 September 2016 in the Royal Chapel at Drottningholm Palace and is formally styled as ‘His Royal Highness Prince Alexander of Sweden, Duke of Södermanland.’ He is a Knight of the Royal Order of the Seraphim and a Knight of the Order of Charles XIII (RCXIII).