It was a bright and beautiful day in Sweden, and the royal family had something truly special to celebrate — the christening of the newest member of their household, Princess Ines Marie Lilian Silva.
This elegant event marked a heartwarming moment for Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia as they officially welcomed their fourth child with a traditional ceremony surrounded by their loved ones.
Royal Family Gathers at Drottningholm Chapel
Held at the stunning Drottningholm Palace Chapel just outside Stockholm, the ceremony was both regal and intimate.
The proud parents, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia, were joined by their three older children — Prince Alexander (9), Prince Gabriel (7), and Prince Julian (4) — all looking dapper in matching white shirts and cream-colored jackets.
Also in attendance were Carl Philip’s sisters, Crown Princess Victoria and Princess Madeleine, along with his parents, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia.
The ceremony was a full family affair, with several cousins including Crown Princess Victoria’s children, Princess Estelle (13) and Prince Oscar (9), sharing in the joy.
A Burst of Sunshine in Yellow
Princess Sofia, now 40, looked radiant in a sunshine-yellow gown paired with a matching headband as she gently held baby Ines during the christening.
Her husband, Prince Carl Philip, 46, was dressed in full military uniform and stood proudly beside her, embodying the elegance and warmth of the occasion.
Princess Estelle Named as Godmother
In a touching detail revealed the day before the ceremony, Princess Estelle — second in line to the throne — was named as one of little Ines’ godparents.
It was a sweet nod to the family’s close bond and the tradition of keeping royal ties strong across generations.
An Adorable Instagram Debut
Soon after Princess Ines was born on February 7, the royal couple shared precious moments from their growing family on Instagram.
One photo captured the three older brothers lovingly gazing at their new sister, who was nestled in a cozy blanket.
Another image melted hearts as young Prince Julian gently kissed his baby sister on the forehead.
The caption read with joy: “It turned out to be a perfect little quartet. Big and warm thanks for all the nice congratulations to our little Ines.”
Among those sending their well wishes was Princess Beatrice’s husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, who commented, “Congratulations.”
First Portrait Released by Mum
In a tender gesture, the Swedish Palace released the first official photo of Princess Ines — a portrait taken by her mother, Sofia.
The image showed the tiny princess wrapped in a blanket, wearing a white shirt adorned with delicate heart prints.
It perfectly captured her calm innocence and Sofia’s personal touch as a loving mother and skilled photographer.
Birth Announcement and Hospital Exit
Princess Ines arrived healthy and strong on February 7 at 1:10 p.m., with Prince Carl Philip by his wife’s side during the delivery.
When Princess Sofia later left the hospital, she was glowing and radiant, smiling at the photographers who had gathered to catch a glimpse of the royal newborn.
A Growing Royal Family
Back in September, the couple had shared their exciting pregnancy news with the world through an official palace statement.
Alongside a stunning photo of the couple with a scenic lake and mountains in the background, they wrote, “Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia have the great pleasure to announce that the Princess is expecting the couple’s fourth child.”
The statement confirmed that Sofia was feeling well and that no changes would be made to her royal duties for the remainder of the autumn.
Why Princess Ines Has No HRH Title
Despite her royal lineage, Princess Ines does not hold the title of “Her Royal Highness.”
This is due to a decision made in 2019 by her grandfather, King Carl XVI Gustaf, who restructured royal titles for some of his grandchildren.
He explained in his Christmas address that the move was aimed at clarifying who would represent Sweden in official capacities in the future.
He said, “This decision helps outline expectations and allows my grandchildren to shape their own paths in life.”
What Comes Next?
As Princess Ines grows up, she’ll do so in a loving, closely-knit royal family that honors tradition but also embraces modern values.
Though she won’t carry an HRH title, she’s still very much a part of one of Europe’s most beloved royal households — and no doubt, we’ll be seeing more charming moments from this ‘perfect quartet’ in the years to come.