Who do you think Crown Princess Victoria will pick as Godparents to her first child?

Crown Princess Victoria with her husband, Prince Daniel.

Sometimes, I use my twitter account to ask my fellow royal watchers and enthusiasts a few questions that could be more of guessing games (as Marcia Tracy would suggest).

My question tonight was related to Crown Princess Victoria: she is best known as Godmother of Europe as she has this role with Ingrid Alexandra of Norway, Amalia of the Netherlands, Eléonore of Belgium and Christian of Denmark. So, who will she and Daniel pick as Godparents to her child?

As Royalty in the News cited, and I quote: it's "amazing how Crown Princess Victoria and Queen Victoria have motherly links to Europe. Victoria of UK was Mother of Europe, Crown Princess Victoria the godmother". That is so true. The biggest highlight on how Crown Princess Victoria takes her role as godmother very personally, she picked them (except very wee Princess Eleonore) as her bridesmaids and pageboys at her wedding, on June 19th, 2010.

As Order of Splendor reminded me, in Sweden, you cannot have more than 4 godparents - fine for me, as I do have 4 godparents, but this numbers usually burst for other royal and princely houses. Was is interesting though is that her father, King Carl XVI Gustaf's godparents were Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark, Crown Princess Ingrid of Denmark, Crown Prince Olav of Norway, Crown Princess Juliana of the Netherlands, King Gustaf V of Sweden, Prince Friedrich Josias of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf of Sweden, Crown Princess Louise of Sweden, Count Folke Bernadotte af Wisborg, and the Countess Maria Bernadotte af Wisborg. If my count is right, he had 10! Would be interesting to know why this changed. I asked myself if it was because Victoria was not Crown Princess at birth (her brother was), but even Prince Carl Philip only had 4 godparents.

Victoria's godparents are King Harald V of Norway, her maternal uncle, Ralf Sommerlath, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, and her aunt Princess Désirée, Baroness Silfverschiöld. 

In light of all this, my first choice would go to: Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, Crown Prince Haakon, Princess Madeleine and Princess Maxima of the Netherlands.

But, I tend to forget: that baby also has a father, so maybe it will be half royal, half Westling.

Why would I choose those two Crown Princes? Both of them, with Victoria, were raised together. The Scandinavian Royal Houses (Norway, Sweden, Denmark) have a close bond, mostly due to geographical proximity, language (I know that there are differences, but the 3 languages are close, could not say the same if we put Finnish in the mix) and family ties. A few years ago, the 3 heirs travelled together, you can watch the video here.

Here are a few answers that popped up on twitter: many confirmed my first intuition by including Frederik and Haakon, like Malaya. Gert-Jan de Wit vouches for Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje. Marcia Tracy has her bet on, as well as Fred and Haakon, on Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco. Why not?

Order of Splendor goes for both of Victoria's siblings (Carl Philip and Madeleine) and Haakon and Mette-Marit. This combination could happen, living Crown Princess Victoria to choose Frederik and Mary for her second child. Or vice-versa. 

Cheryl Anderson Brown suggested that "probably no catholic godparents" and maybe that would discard Monaco.

The two most sensible and close-to-mine answers I received were from Spanish Royals & Sasha Ackler: Fred, Haakon, Madeleine and Anna Westling, Daniel's sister. This seems like a good fit.

Marie Elizabeth was spot on when she replied "no one from the British Royal Family" which I completely agree with, as there does not seem to be a close relationship between the Swedish House and the British one.

When Janet Webb & The Countess of Grantham answered they would see the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge being invited to be the Godparents, I did not picture that happening. Of course, it could, but if there is any bond to be created between Prince William and Princess Victoria, it would be when they are both heirs or both regents. Not before.

Let's come back to this post in 4/5 months, once the baby (a girl? a boy?) is born and being actually christened so that we reveal who was right or wrong!

All links are towards twitter accounts. If you want me to take them out of this post, just... tweet me and I will do it straight away!

[Denmark] Princess Marie will not attend New Year Courts Gala

Princess Marie of Denmark will not attend the New Year Courts Gala in Amalienborg that we are used to seeing in Denmark each year. As she is due to give birth in January, as was CP Mary last year - and that didn't attend last year either - she will be on bed rest. Hope the entirely family will be together for next year's.

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My royal news preview for 2012

This post is deeply inspired by the one I wrote for what 2011 would look like.

Belgium

What I said about 2011: Well, as much as I really like the Brabants, I do not see nothing new happening in this family. Everybody is more or less well married, full of kids and they have enough political problems to deal with already. Might be a quiet year for Belgian monarchy. 

What really happened: well, nothing special happened this year. Except a very rebel Prince Laurent but we are getting used to it. 

What about 2012: nothing special again yet... I have to confess I am a bit afraid for Queen Fabiola and King Albert II's healths.

Denmark

What I said about 2011: Oh yeahhhhhhhhhh! babies, two babies on the way! maybe three (if princess Marie is pregnant sometime during the year?). How excited are we about those twins? will it be a boy and a girl? two boys? two girls? what will be the names? I am very excited. It can happen anytime soon. It can be happening now, as you read this!

What really happened: and we got babies! Two! In January! Josephine and Vincent joined Christian and Isabella for the CP couple tribe. And YES, Princess Marie is very pregnant, so we will have more babies next year. 

What about 2012: I think it will be a boy for Prince Joachim and Princess Marie (a second for her and a fourth for her husband) + big celebration (tiara-like) for Queen Margrethe II's 40th year of reign.

Liechtenstein

What I said about 2011: Well, they are like that side to each family that never call or give news. Therefore, we do not know much about them and they do not know much about us. But we hope they are still alive and well and if we get to get any news, we hope they will be full of joy.

What really happened: Tatjana had a 7th kid. God BLESS HER! Seven children in twelve years of marriage!

What about 2012: Nothing.

Luxembourg

What I said about 2011: What could possibly happen in Luxembourg in the future?

What really happened: Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume turned 30.

What about 2012: An engagement announcement for Guillaume, perhaps?

Monaco

What I said about 2011: This will be a big year for Monaco. The eternal-bachelor Prince Albert II is finally getting married to his beautiful South African goddess, Charlene Wittstock. She already looks like a princess, making us, royal watchers, damn proud.

This might also be the year we see Princess Caroline finally getting a divorce after so many public appearances without her husband, Prince Ernst of Hannover. Hope they do not keep that quiet so that is does not cause a turmoil: it already is a turmoil!

I do not see any engagements for now. Caroline's three older kids, the Casiraghi gang, are all dating seriously for years but still young and enjoying life and its bliss.

What really happened: The marriage went on (unfortunately, under a turmoil of rumours...) but we all think Charlene - sorry, Princess Charlene! - already has a bunny in the oven. It would not surprise me.

Oh, and Caroline did not get a divorce (I may think now that she never will), but her husband was seen holidaying in beaches with a 23 yo. Creepy. And the Casiraghi trio is faithful to itself: dating seriously with their 3 long termn partners but not engaged.

What about 2012: a babyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

The Netherlands

What I said about 2011: Well, I think the same as of the Brabants for the Oranje. They are all set, married and working a lot to make the world a better place. I do not think any new pregnancies will be announced this year. It will be a year of growth, but not in quantity but as of quality for the Dutch.

What really happened: nothing new. Only highlight for me was Maxima's 40th birthday!

What about 2012: nothing.

Norway

What I said about 2011: I do not see either Mette-Marit or Martha-Louise being pregnant this year. The first is working hard alongside her husband to promote their country, their family (their youtube channel is a success) and Martha-Louise is too busy talking to angels (and defending herself on the matter).

What really happened: nothing special for the royal family. Maybe with the exception of CP Haakon & Mette-Marit 10 year anniversary celebration that was beautiful, specially after a period of deep mourning for Norway this year.

What about 2012: nothing.

Spain

What I said about 2011: There has been much speculation on whether King Juan Carlos resigns or not and makes his son - Crown Prince Felipe - King. I really don't know about this. I know his health is failing on him but I do not know how ready Felipe (or Spain) is ready to be made King this promptly. Time will tell. As for kids, I don't think Letizia will be pregnant again this year. Or ever again.

And I think it would be nice to see Infanta Elena move on with her love life. But thing is that she is one of the most discreet women in the world. Even if something was going on, she would preserve herself from the hassle of spotlight.

What really happened: King Juan Carlos I did not abdicate - but his (poor) health has been in the spotlight for a long time now. Nothing new for the Prince & Princess of Asturias nor Elena. But Infanta Cristina's husband Iñaki has been in the turmoil of scandal regarding his business activities. A pity, let me tell you.

What about 2012: nothing (hoping Iñaki does not go to jail...).

Sweden

What I said about 2011: Could Victoria get pregnant this year, pretty please? Oh well, I would understand if she did not, as she seems to be enjoying her marriage like a young teen. And I am happy for her. But I hope a pregnancy comes along in 2011 or early 2012. Wouldn't we be ecstatic?

As for Madeleine, I hope she finds a new true love and can feel better and free to be back to Sweden on a normal basis, as she now "ran away" to New York to overcome her terrible break. I wish nothing but the best to her. Becoming more like her sister (physically) is also happening. Did you notice that?

As for Carl Orlando Bloom Philip, will he try to make his girlfriend, Sofia Hellqvist into a more... royal material? let's see what happens. I am excited!

What really happened: SHE. IS. PREGNANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What about 2012: as for Princess Marie of Denmark, I also think CP Victoria and Prince Daniel will have a baby boy. Madeleine will continue in NY and, who knows, Carl Philip might introduce us officially to Sofia...

United-Kingdom

What I said about 2011: Dear oh dear, this might be better than 1981. 30 years after, we finally have a wedding we are really looking VERY forward to. It will be massive, lavish but not too much and just a festival of happy tears, I feel it already. Let's not "overtalk" about it (at least, I know I won't on RO), just a constant stream of news without overdoing it. We want to be happy about the news and not vomit about William and Kate, do we agree?

I think this year can be Harry's. I mean, he is just THE bachelor, the free spirit, the grounded boy, the humanitarian, the man. The best man. His brother's best man, per se. He can grow a few years older this year. And I am pretty much looking forward to that.

And we also have the queen's Jubilee. But who could really only focus on it while we are longing for such a big wedding?

What really happened: okay, I made a mistake last year, the Jubilee is taking place in 2012. But the wedding went pretty well, watched by 2 billion people - I cried - and so did Zara's wedding to Mike Tindall. Now Prince William is The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry, as predicted, is THE man. Plus, Autumn and Peter Phillips are expecting a baby.

What about 2012: loads of trips for all the royal members for the Queen's Jubilee, a hopeful recovery for Prince Philip's health (he spent Christmas at the hospital) and MAYBE a pregnancy for Zara (but not for Catherine. Not yet). And Peter and Autumn Phillips might have a baby girl, a little sister to their Savannah. And Prince Harry still since and happy just like that!

Cute couple alert! #royallove

[Sweden] Crown Princess Victoria was the guest of honor at the Royal Academy of Music

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[Denmark] Prince Joachim and Princess Marie expecting a baby due in January 2012 #royalbabyboom

I know, I know, these are not recent news, but I did not find the time to publish them before. Prince Joachim will have a fourth child and it will be baby number 2 for our lovely Princess Marie. Cannot believe little Prince Henrik will be a big brother already! And yes, we are in royal baby boom! Joy joy joy!

Which other babies are on the way? Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden's first baby, Prince Nikolaos and Princess Tatiana of Greece's first baby, Peter and Autumn Phillips (son and daughter in law of Princess Royal) are expecting their second one.

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[Greece] Prince and Princess Nikolaos expecting first child due in 2012 #tatianablatnik

Congratulations to the expectant couple!

[United Kingdom] Peter and Autumn Phillips announce they are to have a second child! #royalbabyboom

The Princess Royal's son Peter Phillips and his wife are expecting their second child, Buckingham Palace confirmed last night.

Canadian Autumn Phillips is due to have her baby in March. The couple already have a daughter, Savannah, who is 12th in line to the throne.

A spokesman for Buckingham Palace said: 'The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, as well as Autumn's family, have been informed and are delighted with the news.'

Their first child, and the Queen's first great-grandchild, a daughter named Savannah, was born on 29 December 2010 at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

Mr and Mrs Phillips attracted media attention when they sold their wedding photos to Hello! magazine in May 2008 for a reported £500,000.

The episode provoked claims the couple had exploited their Royal status.

At the time Liberal Democrat MP Norman Lamb called the move 'a serious error of judgment'.

And Labour MP Ian Gibson said that the British public would have been shocked to see their monarch in the magazine, saying: 'She is the Queen, not a footballer's wife'.

Photos of the couple on honeymoon on safari in South Africa were also released to the press, arising suspicion they received the £1,000-a-night accommodation for free - or at least at a knock-down rate - in return for their co-operation.

Although he is 11th in line to the throne, Peter does not have a royal title as his mother declined to give her children the HRH title at birth.

The Phillipses lived in Hong Kong after he moved jobs within the Royal Bank of Scotland to head their sponsorships activities in the region. They now live in London where he continues to work for the bank.

Autumn was born and brought up a Roman Catholic but renounced her faith shortly before their wedding so her husband-to-be did not have to give up his claim to the throne.

Savannah Phillips was baptised on Saturday, 23 April 2011, at Holy Cross Church in Avening, Gloucestershire, near the Princess Royal's home, Gatcombe Park, with the Queen present at the happy event.

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[Sweden] Crown Princess Victoria expecting first child!

Just over a year after tying the knot in a fairytale wedding, Princess Victoria of Sweden and her husband Prince Daniel have some happy news to share. They're expecting a baby.

A statement from the palace said: "Their Royal Highnesses The Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel are happy to announce that The Crown Princess is expecting their first child.

"The birth is expected to take place in March of 2012. No changes in the schedule of the Crown Princess' public engagements are planned during the fall of 2011."

Anyone witnessing their joy on their engagement and the day of their nuptials could have guessed that it wouldn't be long before the couple started trying for a child.

And the heiress to the throne said as much, telling her people: "With Daniel by my side I feel secure.

"You have probably noticed that in recent years I have seemed stronger and happier.

"And now the time has come for us to begin building something together and starting a family."

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I mean... I am so happy... I said how much I wanted her to have a kid here... now, if the baby is due in March 2012, means he was conceived in June 2011, right? What an amazing first wedding anniversary celebration!

Who will be the next pregnant royal lady?

Well, as almost all royal houses have given us 15 years of lavish and emotional weddings, we have less and less people to get married and more and more couples we are waiting to see grow a family. Because this is what we expect from the royal peeps: find the amazing girl, give her the amazing ring, showcase it during an amazing engagement interview, tease us for months with an amazing wait and weight loss until the ceremony, throw an amazing wedding, go on an amazing honeymoon (not all of them, but most of them) and then... in a few months, get us in a frenetic and less amazing baby watching mood.

So here are the young (and not so young) couples we want to see get pregnant and have lovely babies with royal genes before 2015.

Non European Houses

Japan

I do not think "pregnancy" and "Japan" meshes well together. Let's leave Masako alone.

Jordan

With four kids, I have nothing to ask Queen Rania in this field. And I am not that familiar with all the other members of the Hashemite house.

Qatar

Sheikha Mozah has 7 kids (kids... cof cof... they are older than me) and - at least - 11 grandchildren. I think we are good there.

Saudi Arabia

Does that lovely princess I just discovered yesterday have children? Would love to know.

Non-reigning European Houses

Greece

Princess Marie-Chantal gave Crown Prince Pavlos five kids in 12 years and Princess Alexia has had four with Carlos Morales from 2002 to 2007. I think we are done here and God bless their souls. Now, you, Princess Tatiana, welcome to the family, hope you are enjoying it very much, solo with handsome Prince Nikolaos. But clock is ticking and you have at least four or five kids to deliver in the next ten years to keep up with the pace of the Greek Royal family. Do not fail on us. Little suggestion: start soon and you will be done by 2021.

Reigning European Houses

Belgium

Mathilde and Philippe have four children, amazing Astrid and Lorenz have five and younger prince Laurent did a 2 in 1 catch with his twin boys and has three children. I think that with 12 fresh and young grandchildren, King Albert II and Queen Paola can rest assured that their name will continue for several generation, Belgium existing as a united country or not.

Denmark

I do not know why, but I feel Mary and Frederik will have a fifth child. But not now. Maybe in six or seven years.

I am sure Prince Joachim is happy enjoying his three boys but Marie and him just got married three years ago, have a lot to live together and am sure they would love to have more children. So I guess, sooner than later, maybe in two or three years, Marie will make such an announcement and we'll have a fourth boy or a first girl for our beloved Joachim. Beckham style.

Liechtenstein

Hans-Adam is the head of the state but his son Alois is taking care of the house. The Liechtensteiners are a bit like the Greek: they go for the big numbers when we count the children. Hans-Adam himself, has four children. Alois, his first, has four. Maximilian has a 10-year-old boy, Constantin has three kids and Tatjana - let's breathe - has had 6 kids since year 2000. Oh Tatjana, God bless YOU! So... I do not see anyone expecting a new one anytime soon. But you know what they say, 7 is a very good and lucky and biblical number...

Luxembourg

To be pretty honest, the Luxembourgers are serious contenders for the "let's get them married" awards (need to write a POST) more than this post right here. Of course, we have precocious Prince Louis and wife, Princess Tessy who already started having children in their youth, but they are all pretty young and unmarried. Therefore, let's get Guillaume and Felix married quickly and come back to update this thread somewhere before 2015.

Monaco

Well, Charlene, I know you didn't even get married yet, but from July on, you have 15 months to get pregnant before PAII is forced to adopt Andrea as his successor. Ahhh... kidding, no pressure. But please, have babies. So that Albert can prove us he can introduce us to babies once they are born and not when they already walk or are on their way to college.

The Netherlands

Pfffffffffff.... I do not see anyone getting knocked up in here. Maxima, Laurentien and Mabel seem to be FINE just the way they are with their 3-3-2 strategy.

Norway

Mette-Marit and Märtha-Louise are busy. But I would see the first have a fourth one in less than five years. But I am less confident in this bet than on the one that Mary and Fred will go for a fifth.

Spain

Cristina already said no way Jose, she is fine with her quartet. Elena is divorced and Letizia... I do not see Letizia having more children. She lost the race with Mary - as they seemed to be in tremendous synchro in the first five years of their married life - but things changed now and we will have Leonor and Sofia FTW.

Sweden

VICTORIA VICTORIA VICTORIA.

United Kingdom

CATHERINE CATHERINE CATHERINE.

And Zara.

And Autumn. Bis.

Dear Victoria, do not think Wills and Kate made us forget about you!

Your parents got married in June 1976 and you were born 13 months after. We are off schedule now - no pressure - but please delight us with a little Sybilla* or Alice* or a little Gustaf* or Walther* soon, will you?

THANKS!

*just her grandparents names.

[The Netherlands] If you always asked yourself in which language Princess Maxima talks to her daughters...

source of the photo

... ask no more. She speaks three different languages: mainly Dutch, and also English and Spanish. I really admire women able to raise their children in a language different then their own (thinking about Princesses Mary and Marie of Denmark, for instance).

In this video, we spend a few months - in seven minutes! - with Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Maxima, with their two daughters, Princesses Amalia and Alexia. At the end of the documentary, one can perceive Maxima is pregnant with her latest one, princess Ariane. Also, we notice Maxima singing in Spanish, English and Dutch. These little girls are totally future bilinguals (if they aren't already!).

(for English subtitles, push the CC button on the video)

The Danish Crown Prince Family photoshoot for Vogue Germany - January 2011

This photoshoot is (three-month) old but stunning. It clearly addresses the fact the couple was just moving in in Amalienborg.  But is it just me or is it odd that the couple did not take a picture just to two of them? I was really hopeful of having a stunning shot of them both together for Vogue.

photos found through Google Images.

[Sweden] Crown Princess Victoria not pregnant, says royal palace

Photos of Crown Princess Victoria wearing a loose-fitting top on a visit to the United Arab Emirates sent the pregnancy rumour mill into overdrive in Sweden.

But the royal palace has emphatically denied that the future queen is expecting. And, they've added, she will not respond to any questions on the subject for the duration of her foreign trip – which wraps up on Friday.

Reports that Victoria is expecting have been circulating for some time.

It was claimed she declined to drink any alcohol at the recent Nobel gala.

Swedish royal expert Daniel Nyhlen added to the speculation by claiming to have heard from "reliable sources" that the princess was pregnant.

from Hellomagazine.com

Danish royals on last outing before Princess Mary gives birth - she looks really pregnant now. That's a relief!

It was possibly their final outing as a family of four when Crown Prince Frederik and his wife Princess Mary took their children to the ballet.

Little Princess Isabella and Prince Christian watched intently as the production - The Tivoli Dream - got underway in Copenhagen.

The work bears special significance for the family as Queen Margrethe did the costume and set design for the colourful show.

The talented monarch was on hand and joined the performers on stage at the end to take a bow. And she couldn't resist venturing down into the audience to give a kiss to her grandchildren.

Mary looked elegant as always in a long-sleeved black dress and knee-high boots. And you couldn't miss her baby bump. She's due to welcome twins in mid January, though many commentators are saying the new arrivals could easily come way before that.

The Danish royal house has already confirmed that she will not be taking part in the traditional New Year's reception held at Christiansborg Palace.

from Hellomagazine.com

She looks really pregnant now. That's a relief!

[Denmark] Princess Mary steps out to help students learn Danish

Having mastered Danish herself in record speed and without a noticeable accent, Crown Princess Mary must've been full of advice for students of the Learn Danish project in Odense, Denmark. Stepping out in an elegant violet maternity top with black trousers and turtleneck which showed off her growing baby bump, the pregnant mum drew crowds who came to see the popular princess as she supported those studying the Scandinavian language.

from Hellomagazine.com