The Swedish Royal Family celebrated the Christening of little Prince Nicolas Paul Gustaf in the Royal Chapel at Drottningholm Palace on Sunday, 11 October, at 12 noon, including a 21-gun salute.
Prince Nicolas’ baptism was televised live by Swedish broadcaster, Sveriges Television (SVT).
Guests included the King and Queen’s relatives, Prince Andreas of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Christopher O’Neill’s family, friends, the Prime Minister and his wife, and other government officials.
Princess Madeleine and Christopher O’Neill carried their adorable children, one-year-old Princess Leonore, and four-month-old Prince Nicolas, who was created Duke of Ångermanland, into the Royal Chapel.
Prince Nicolas wore a Christening gown, made of cotton batiste and bobbin lace with a satin woven silk petticoat, which was first worn by his great-grandfather Prince Gustaf Adolf at his christening in 1906. It has been worn by members of the Swedish Royal Family ever including Prince Nicolas’ mother, Princess Madeleine.
A cape with a cap of cream-coloured silk satin was added in 1935 for Princess Margaretha’s baptism. The cape’s lining has the names and dates of all royal babies who have worn the gown.
The Princess Couple chose six godparents: Prince Carl Philip, Mrs Catherine von Horn, Mr Gustaf Magnuson, Countess Natascha Abensperg und Traun, Mr Henry d’Abo and Mr Marco Wajselfisz.
Archbishop Antje Jackelén, the Bishop Emeritus Lars-Göran Lönnermark, and Court Chaplain and Rector Court Parish, Reverend Michael Bjerkhagen were the officiating clergy.
Prince Nicolas, is sixth in line to the Swedish throne, was awake as his six godparents, including his uncle Prince Carl Philip, laid hands on the baby, for a special blessing.
Prince Carl Philip poured the holy water from Öland into the antique baptismal font, which dates from the late 17th Century.
However, the little fellow certainly made his presence felt during the service when he was baptised with water. He was not happy when his grandfather, King Carl Gustaf, later put on the Order of the Seraphim sash on the little prince.
Like most parents with small children, Princess Madeleine and her husband coped extremely well, with a crying baby and a wriggling toddler. Queen Silvia and Prince Carl Philip who took turns in nursing Princess Leonore during the service.
The Princess Couple, the King and the Queen hosted a reception for the guests in the Ehrenstrahl Hall, followed by a lunch hosted by the King and the Queen in Karl XI’s Gallery.
See the SVT video of Prince Nicolas’ Christening – available until Tuesday, 10 November 2015.
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