The Swedish royal court released four official photos from Prince Alexander’s Christening this morning.
The first photo features the Prince Family: Prince Carl Philip, Princess Sofia, and Prince Alexander.
I really love the green and pink background in these photos – much better than the white in Oscar’s photos and the bright green in Nicolas’ photos – though I wish we could have gotten a photo of Carl Philip holding Alexander to mix things up a bit.
The second photo features the Prince Family with both sets of grandparents: Sofia’s parents, Erik Hellqvist and Marie Rotman, and Carl Philip’s parents, Queen Silvia and King Carl XVI Gustaf.
For all the talk that Carl Gustaf favors Carl Philip, you would think Carl Gustaf would smile more in this photo.
Speaking of favoritism. There was a comment on the Alexander Christening thread which mentioned the seating arrangements of Sofia’s versus Daniel’s parents at their respective children’s Christenings: Sofia’s parents sat in the front row next to the King and Queen while Daniel’s sat in the second row behind the King and Queen. I want to point out that Chris O’Neill’s mother sat in the front row at both Nicolas’ and Leonore’s Christenings – the same seating arrangement as Sofia’s parents. I also want to point out that Estelle and Oscar were Christened at a different venue than Leonore, Nicolas, and Alexander. Estelle and Oscar were Christened at the larger Royal Palace Chapel while Leonore, Nicolas, and Alexander were Christened at the smaller Drottningholm Palace Chapel, which means the seating arrangements were different between the two venues. Also, both Estelle’s and Oscar’s Christenings had foreign royals present which took precedence over the other people in attendance (even Carl Philip and Madeleine got bumped). Given that information, I would say that the difference in seating arrangements between Sofia’s and Daniel’s parents had less to do with child favoritism and more to do with venue difference.
The third photo features the Prince Family with all four aunties: Sofia’s sisters, Sara Hellqvist and Lina Frejd, and Carl Philip’s sisters, Princess Madeleine and Crown Princess Victoria.
The final photo is the godparent photo, featuring the Prince Family with all five of Alexander’s godparents: Lina Frejd (Sofia’s oldest sister), Victor Magnuson (Carl Philip’s cousin/Princess Christina’s youngest son), Crown Princess Victoria, Jan-Åke Hansson (Carl Philip’s friend and Best Man), and Cajsa Larsson (Sofia’s friend).
I’m fully expecting we will get a detailed itinerary of the Cambridges tour of Canada this week, possibly today. Until then, be sure to check out my post of the Cambs and Carole Middleton hanging with the Queen in Scotland.
Photos: Mattias Edwall/Kungahuset.se
Is CP not allowed to hold his son lol!
It seems like royal men don’t often hold their babies in photos. I mean, have we ever seen a photo of William holding Charlotte? He certainly seems closer with George. Although, George has been paraded in front of the paparazzi more. Either way, I agree with you! B
Wasn’t he holding him in the picture they released before the christioning? And also after birth – the black and white one of CP and Alexander is one of my favs. But have to agree it seems that in general men don’t hold the babies often in official pictures… or well at least not in once released.
Prince Daniel held Estelle for a good part of her christening.
Yes, Carl Philip held Alex in the pre-baptism photos as well as in the month-old photos.
http://katemiddletonreview.com/2016/08/24/new-photos-of-prince-alexander-ahead-of-his-baptism/
http://katemiddletonreview.com/2016/05/14/new-photos-of-prince-alexander-with-prince-carl-philip-and-princess-sofia/
Yes. There was one photo of William holding Charlotte in the ski vacation photos.
http://katemiddletonreview.com/2016/03/07/prince-william-and-kate-middleton-took-prince-george-and-princess-charlotte-skiing/
I KNOW it is the latest fashion trend and all, but the women in the photos (except for Sofia’s sisters and her friend) look hopelessly dated and old- fashioned…somehow. I was a bit disappointed with the royal fashion this christening…:) Nevertheless, they are a wonderful family.
Maddie especially looks like an office secretary from the 60s.
Agree, agree, agree, specially about Maddie.
People either absolutely loved or hated her dress as far as i have read about…
I think it has to do with everyone’s own taste of fashion…
However her daughter was the best dressed girl i have seen so far in any christining..
I think Erdem designs flatter no one. I do not understand their appeal. The clothing seems matronly and more suited for women over the age of 60.
+1
Woman over 60 probably would not wear what looks like chintz curtain fabric – gone are the days where Granny looked lik an “old dear”
Yep – my observation on your first post of this event – nothing I have seen since has changed my view
Sweet baby 🙂
+ 1
Lovely family! I had a look at the other official pictures and I have to agree that this background is much better. And I also like that they took a picture with all 4 aunts… I just can’t get myself to like Madeleines dress. It seems bit like you either hate or love vut imo it looks bit old fashioned and she coukd have chosen something more young and fresh.
I also found it interesting to read your comments in favoritism here. It’s fun to wonder why some things are like they are or to wonder who is who’s favorite and who interacts in what way woth others but sometimes it can get a bit too far. Instead of overanalysis it one could easily often come up with easy explanation why things are like they are. Like in this case, ofc a different locations and foreign royals present or not make a difference…
Kristen, I agree about the background. This corner of the palace has warm and friendly colors; golden wood floors and the fern-green walls. It makes the photos (and their subjects) seem warm and friendly. Co trust that to the formal Windsor family photos which have lots of bright red, white, and dark woods, which look formal and grand, but don’t give you warm fuzzy feelings.
I agree KMR, this room is much more beautiful. I’m not a fan of the fashion but I love how the pink dresses go with the room. CG has a great poker face. I’d love to see a photo of him smiling and enjoying himself. I wonder what his relationship is like with his son-in-laws and grandkids. Silvia always looks so warm around her family and I love seeing that.
I really like the first photo, how CP and Sofia are angled toward each other imo it shows a great connection between the two of them. My favorite bit about all of these photos, other than the colors in the room, is the fact that no one’s crotch clutching!! My least favorite bit about these photos is the photoshopping, it’s making Sofia look a bit plastic especially in the first photo. I’m so glad that the SRF releases more than just the family photo (ala W&K) but that we get to see the godparents, the aunties and the happy family.
I love official pictures. I often think of what it looks like from the other angle. These rooms are so ornate that I would love to walk through them and look at every detail.That being said, I love how colorful the pictures are.
Thank you for sharing these, KMR!
It’s a wonder that the centre of attention, Prince Alexander, is so well behaved during the ceremony. Is it because it’s his nature or he’s already 5 months & older than the other royal babies? He’s so cute & adorable & I love his chubby fingers!
Sophia’s sisters are both lovely, the oldest quite beautiful actually. I thought that at the wedding as well.
And I will stick to my guns and stay in the minority of loving Madeleine’s outfit, it totally worked for me. Love!!
Adorable baby! He steals the show.
Not too impressed with the others, though. The photos — official, I know, were stilted imo.
I really disliked Vic’s dress. The color, the lace, the overall look. Didn’t do her justice at all.
I want to feel warmer toward Sophia, but there’s something about her that I don’t like. I cannot pinpoint it, but I have a bad response to her. I do think she is trying to embrace her role in the Royal Family and I know she has shown she can work, but I just don’t feel too positively toward her. Maybe, I am picking up her discomfort level She could feel insecure and if she does, I feel badly about tht. Still, I just can’t feel too favorably about her.
Sorry to go off topic, but Princessmonarchy has some nice photos of Daniel, Victoria and Estelle at what looks to be a fun run for kids sponsored by Daniel. I don’t speak French, so I’d love to have KMR tell us about it.
Link please 🙂
http://princessmonarchy.eklablog.com/course-prins-daniels-lopp-suede-a126905026
I hope this works…
These were great! Thanks for sharing
I love how hands on and tactile Victoria is with her kids.
I saw those photos. If I can, I’m going to include them in a royal round up later in the week.
Thanks Fifi! these photos are so sweet, this royal couple seem to be very close!
I love the auntie pic.
It would’ve been nice to get one pic with cp and baby. Especially since I think the christening outfit blends into what Sophia is wearing.
Is it just me, or does Lina look exactly identical in both photos?
She does look quite similar in both photos but is a bit more photoshopped in the godparents one. I wonder if she practiced her smile and pose beforehand, I think I would knowing that the photo would be going out world wide.
Lovely new George and Lupo pics from W&K’s departure for Cornwall last week:
https://mobile.twitter.com/HRHKateBlog/status/775316277678202880
https://mobile.twitter.com/HRHKateBlog/status/775315970080604160
It is so cute to see Kate carry Lupo on her arm and embrace, I just love this dog! And George seems to have inherited Kate’s love for breton striped tops 😉
It’s kinda funny that Lupo is getting a better good bye hug than George is.
I kinda like that she carried Lupo herself even though she was dressed for an appearance.
I was thinking that since my kids are older and have left home, our dog has become our baby and sometimes our kids get a little surly about it LOL.
Fur babies are special and give unconditional love. Paradise.
I actually don’t care much for the background of these photos.It’s better than the the solid green for Nicholas,but I find Oscar’s christening photos 10 times better because of the background.I guess it’s because the background looked more Royal and more open.White painted walls give that open effect.
I thought Sofia looked really nice at the christening.Esp. liked her headband,but she hasn’t photographed well in these photos.Alexander is a cutester and Carl Phillip looks as he always does-handsome.And I nearly always like Ellie Saab clothes so CP Victoria was best dressed for me.
I would have liked the background used for Oscar’s photos had Victoria not been wearing white also. With the white background, Victoria’s white dress, and the white Christening gown, there was just too much white for me.
The Canada tour itinerary is out and George and Charlotte are officially going.
I doubt you would have found anyone who would have bet against them going – gives W&K an excuse to do even fewer appearances
Victoria British Columbia is a 5 hour drive and an hour long ferry ride from where I live. Once upon a time I would have spent my time and $$$ to possibly catch a glimpse of Princess Diana’s grandchildren, but not now. These two parents really are classic white privilege and they waste so many opportunities to truly bless others. They are in a position that holds them to a higher standard. If they don’t want it, then cut your ties and let someone who will do the job sincerely. Rant over
“These two parents really are classic white privilege and they waste so many opportunities to truly bless others.”
That’s not a rant, Mychelle. That’s truth and good old-fashioned common sense talking.
Mychelei agree with you. Prince Alexander is so cute & sweet! Alexander’s I do not care for at all!
I meant to write do not trust Alex’s parents.
Did yall see?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3787790/Princess-Sofia-steals-opening-Swedish-Parliament.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3787164/Heartwarming-photos-capture-moment-Princess-Madeleine-Queen-Silvia-Sweden-make-seriously-ill-girl-s-dream-come-true-taking-tour-Royal-Palace.html
I can’t see Kate giving a tour of KP.
Oh my, thanks for posting. I think Victoria and Sofia look good. Did you notice? No center part on Sofia. I really like Madeleine, so I’m trying to ignore the strange lace collar.
The tour was wonderful, and Madeleine was so great with the little girl. Why can’t the British royals take a page out of the Swedish book?
Yes, I love that Sofia didn’t have a center part. Much better!! I found Madeleine’s lace collar off too.