Sweden’s royals hold service for Prince Gabriel

Royal baby news may be dominating the UK headlines today, but in Sweden there’s just as much excitement – over another princely arrival. 

This morning new father Prince Carl Philip, 38, headed to church with his parents King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia and other family members for a Te Deum service of thanksgiving to celebrate the arrival of Prince Gabriel last week.

Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia welcomed their second child on Thursday and this morning they announced the name Prince Gabriel Carl Walther, Duke of Dalecarlia for their son. 

The name was announced during a meeting at the Royal Palace in Stockholm between Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, Crown Princess Victoria and King Carl Gustaf.

The baby’s middle name is in honour of his parental grandfather while Walther is the name of Queen Silvia’s late father.  

Prince Carl Philip (left) attends a service of thanksgiving for his newborn son Prince Gabriel at the Royal Chapel with his sister Crown Princess Victoria (centre) and her husband Prince Daniel 

Swedish King Carl Gustaf, Queen Silvia, Prince Carl Philip, Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel attend the Te Deum ceremony at the Royal Chapel for the new born Prince Gabriel

Swedish King Carl Gustaf, Queen Silvia, Prince Carl Philip, Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel attend the Te Deum ceremony at the Royal Chapel for the new born Prince Gabriel

Princess Sofia remained at home with her newborn son, while her husband attended this morning’s thanksgiving service at the Royal Chapel.

He was joined by older sister Crown Princess Victoria who looked glamorous in a head-to-toe rose gold ensemble, and her husband Prince Daniel. 

Prince Carl Philip, 38, and his wife Princess Sofia, 32, have also shared the first image of their adorable baby son, taken at their home Villa Solbacken.

New mother Sofia looked glowing as she held hands with her handsome husband, while the new arrival slept peacefully in his baby seat. 

Prince Carl Philip, 38, and his wife Princess Sofia, 32, have shared the first image of their adorable baby son at their home Villa Solbacken

Prince Carl Philip, 38, and his wife Princess Sofia, 32, have shared the first image of their adorable baby son at their home Villa Solbacken

Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, Crown Princess Victoria and King Carl Gustaf during an announcement of the name of the new prince, Gabriel Carl Walther, Duke of Dalecarlia

Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, Crown Princess Victoria and King Carl Gustaf during an announcement of the name of the new prince, Gabriel Carl Walther, Duke of Dalecarlia

The prince was born last Thursday at 11.24 am at Danderyd Hospital in Stockholm. 

Just hours after his son arrived fresh-faced Carl Philip – who was present throughout the birth – was ready to face the cameras, giving a press conference to reveal that the new arrival was a baby boy.

He revealed that it was a quick birth and that he had cut the umbilical cord of his son who was born weighing 7.4 lbs and measuring 49 cm.

But he initially seemed to give a rather alarming indication of the size of his son stretching one hand to the height of his face and the other to below the waist, while a member of staff giggled in the background.

The baby boy is the second son for Carl Philip and his former model wife Sofia, who welcomed Prince Alexander in April last year. 

The couple are already parents to one-year-old Prince Alexander

The couple are already parents to one-year-old Prince Alexander

The couple with Sofia's sisters (left) and Princess Madeleine and Crown Princess Victoria (right) at Alexander's christening 

The couple with Sofia’s sisters (left) and Princess Madeleine and Crown Princess Victoria (right) at Alexander’s christening 

On that occasion, the Prince also gave a press conference to reporters within hours of his son’s birth.

‘When asked if he had cried during the birth, the prince replied, according to People magazine: ‘Yes, actually. Of course. Couldn’t stop.

‘For me and my wife, this is obviously a great day with a lot of emotion. Words cannot describe.’

Just 11 months after the birth of her first child, it was announced that former model Sofia was pregnant again 

Just 11 months after the birth of her first child, it was announced that former model Sofia was pregnant again 

When Alexander was just 11-months-old, the couple announced that Sofia was already expecting her second child.

In an official statement on the Swedish Royal Court’s website, the couple said: ‘We are happy to announce that we are expecting a child, a sibling to Prince Alexander.

‘We are looking forward to welcoming a new little member to our family.’

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk