Princess Madeleine of Sweden moves in with her boyfriend in New York

Princess Madeleine of Sweden is ready to take her relationship with boyfriend Chris O’Neill to the next level. According to Swedish newspaper Expressen, Madeleine and Chris will move into a four-bedroom luxury apartment in Manhattan together.

The Princess moved to New York almost two years ago to start over after splitting from her fiancé and boyfriend of eight years, Jonas Bergström.

Her ex was last seen with his new girlfriend, Stephanie af Klerker, an old friend of Madeleine’s, at the wedding of Robin af Byren and Tin-Tin Rosén: Emma Pernald, Prince Carl Philip's ex, and her new boyfriend Tomas Jonson also attended the nuptials.

Although financial adviser Chris has been properly introduced to the royal family, the news of Madeleine moving in with him apparently hasn't gone down too well with her parents.

With eldest daughter Crown Princess Victoria now on maternity leave, King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia were hoping Madeleine would take over some of her duties, but her permanent residency in the US means this will prove difficult.

According to Expressen, Madeleine has told her parents she does not want to take over any of her sister’s duties and has no intention of leaving New York where she has forged a new life for herself.

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[Sweden] Crown Princess Victoria gives birth to future heiress

Almost two years ago at her lavish wedding, Victoria of Sweden thanked fellow countrymen for giving her her prince, former gym owner, Daniel Westling.

Now, the most modern fairytale in royal history has been marked by another happy chapter as the couple welcome a little princess – the first child to be born into the highest family in the land for three decades.

Beaming at Stockholm's Karolinska Hospital, the former businessman, now Prince Daniel, excitedly shared the news the whole country had been waiting to hear.

He revealed that their baby girl made her entrance at 4.26am, and tipped the scales at 7lb 3oz, holding up his hands to demonstrate the size of his tiny daughter.

"There is a radiant, happy new mother with a baby in her arms. There is something special about becoming parents," Daniel said emotionally.

He added that mother and daughter were "doing very well" but admitted to being overwhelmed, saying: "My feelings are all over the place right now."

The new dad cut his daughter's umbilical cord after she was delivered by Doctor Lennart Nordström.

"They came in just before 1am, so it all went fairly quickly," the medic told the press, adding that he'd been on standby since the New Year and had not left Stockholm.

Sweden’s new princess shares a unique royal destiny with her mother Victoria, who is next in line to the throne currently held by her father, King Carl XVI Gustaf.

Daniel said that his father and mother-in-law, Queen Silvia, had been informed of the birth and "are very happy".

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Young royal (and almost) princely couples we like

Beatrice Borromeo & Pierre Casiraghi, dating since 2008. They met in Italy.

Dave Clark & Princess Beatrice.

Charlotte Casiraghi and Alex Dellal, a London art dealer.

Chris O'Neill & Princess Madeleine of Sweden

Tatiana Santo Domingo & Andrea Casiraghi. They met at school, in Paris.

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!

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

Check out what my favorite Royal Watchers have been talking about!

Swedish RF meets Nobel Prize committee

Take a look at what my favorite Royal Watchers have been writing and talking about this week!

• Book review: Dearest Missy (Royal Romania)
• Book review: The Royal W.E. (Princess Palace)
• Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden throughout the years in Nobel Prize Ceremonies (Order of Splendor)
• Death of Crown Prince Leka, King Leka of the Albanians (Current Royal News)
• Death of the Dowager Duchess of Hohenberg (Current Royal News)
• The Duchess of Cambridge wears Green Mulberry dress at Buckingham reception (What Kate Wore)
• Extracts from a new biography of the Queen: 'I can see you are sublimely happy with Philip... but don’t forget Papa’ (The Telegraph)
• Grand Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg to attend Nobel Prize ceremony in Sweden (Lux-Arazzi)
• King Albert II, King of the Belgians, ready to swear in new Prime Minister (The Royal Examiner)
• Prince Richard of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg gives an interview (Royal Correspondent)
• Prince Sverre Magnus of Norway's 6th birthday (The Royal Forums)
• Prince William, it's time to pass the gold sticky stars around (Marilyn's Royal Blog)
• Princess Charlene wearing Akris & Louis Vuitton (Royal Fashionistas)
• Princess Christina of Sweden talks about breast cancer and life in general (Sofia's Blog)
• Princess Laurentien presents Toolkits for the Illiterate (Royalty in the News)
• Princess Mabel of Orange controversial gown and wedding (Order of Splendor)
• Queen Margrethe II of Denmark to celebrate 40 years on the throne in January 2012 (The Royal Forums)
• Queen Rania awards Teachers & Principals (Royalty in the News)
• Swedish Royal Family attends a meeting with Nobel Prize committee (Royal Correspondent)
• Thai King leaves hospital to give birthday speech (World of Royalty)

Scandinavian Royals visit Ground Zero (October 2011)

Spotted in Red #3 - Princess Madeleine of Sweden in New York

Princess Madeleine at the American Scandinavian Society Christmas Ball at The Metropolitan Club in New York.

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

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[Sweden] Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel surrounded by children

Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel were in Järfälla, just outside Stockholm, this weekend.

Despite the biting cold that welcomed Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel, it was with great warmth that they were welcomed to the town as they arrived shortly after 10 o'clock. The couple was greeted with a wedding gift (after a year?) given by the municipality.

The first stop of the day was the playground of Kalhällsparken which is praised for its accessibility. Around the fence all the present children greeted the CP with a "Hello princess!" and Victoria took the time to talk to everybody, even to stop by six-month-old baby Cecilia Rozmeijer. With her twinkling eyes, she gave the princess a gift and the expectant CP could not have been happier.

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Crown Princess Mary and husband, CP Frederik dancing in event in New York

Crown Princess Mary and her husband Prince Frederik showed off their fancy footwork at a ball in New York recently.

Mary's face shone with delight as her husband twirled her round at the chic function in the Hilton Hotel. The mum-of-four was elegant in a floor length nude-hued gown.

The fun-loving couple were letting their hair down at a gala to celebrate 100 years of the American-Scandinavian Foundation, which promotes good relations between the US and the region. Joining the popular Danish royals at the event were blue bloods from their neighbouring countries. Princess Madeleine of Sweden – who also donned a nude gown – was joined by her parents King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia. King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway were also in attendance.

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This is some PROUD dad-to-be! #princedaniel #sweden

[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!

Check out what my favorite Royal Watchers have been talking about!

Is it Maxima? Is it Mathilde? No! It's Letizia in orange!

Take a look at what my favorite Royal Watchers have been writing and talking about this week!

• All the details about Kate's outfit at the Epsom Derby this weekend (What Kate Wore)
• As Princess Eugenie visits hospital, she talks about past surgery (Royal Examiner)
• Catherine's wedding dress on display from July on (World of Royalty)
• Diana, the life of a royal icon (Marilyn's Royal Blog)
• First communion of Don Miguel, Infanta Cristina of Spain's son (Current Royal News)
• First communion of Princess Louise, Prince Laurent of Belgium's daughter (Royalty in the News)
• Grand Duchess Maria Teresa's brother wakes up from coma (Lux-Arazzi)
• Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg and daughter Princess Margaretha of Liechtenstein attend Skoda Tour de Luxembourg (Lux-Arazzi)
• The Human side of the British royal family (Marilyn's Royal Blog)
• Isabella of Parma: the Princess obsessed with death (Mad Monarchs)
• It's the Duke and Duchess of Kent's 50th wedding anniversary: the event! (Royal Musings)
• It's the Duke and Duchess of Kent's 50th wedding anniversary: the gown! (Order of Splendor)
• Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge: a sales sensation? (What Kate Wore)
• King Carl XVI Gustaf's Frank Interview after new scandal (The Royal Correspondent)
• King Juan Carlos leaves hospital after knee surgery (Royalty in the News)
• No, it's not Princess Maxima nor Princess Mathilde. It's Princess Letizia in orange! (Royal Fashionistas)
• President Obama meets with Bahrain Crown Prince at White House (World of Royalty)
• Prince Ali of Jordan sworn in as FIFA's Vice President for Asia (The Royal Forums)
• Prince Henrik of Denmark named "European of the Year" (The Royal Correspondent)
• Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie at the Derby (Mad Hattery)
• Princess Birgitta of Sweden & Prince Johann Georg von Hohenzollern's 50th wedding anniversary [a must read!] (Sofia's Blog)
• Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip visit Isles of Scilly (Royal Insight)
• The Royal Wedding Giveaway (The Royal Representitive)
• The Spanish wedding gift tiara to Belgium (TiaraPedia)
• When in doubt, wear grey - Charlene Wittstock (alleged) fashion motto (A Right Royal Blog) 

[Sweden] And the scandals do not stop for this Scandinavian royal family...

King Carl XVI Gustaf's attempt to quash a scandal by rejecting reports he had visited strip clubs and had indirect contact with organised crime was met with skepticism by Swedish media Tuesday.

In a rare, long interview with Swedish news agency TT published late Monday, the 65-year-old king denied a flurry of allegations published in two books and by the media in recent weeks and months, but media reports Tuesday chided him for being too vague and defensive.

"The interview with TT does not make the royal crisis any clearer," insisted an editorial in Sweden's paper of reference Dagens Nyheter.

"If the whole story is simply a case of libel, then why didn't the king come out and say that last autumn? Why did he instead talk about wanting to 'move on'?" it asked, referring to the monarch's reaction after the publication late last year of a tell-all biography about him.

The book, "Carl XVI Gustaf, the Reluctant Monarch," caused an uproar with its descriptions of his participation in wild parties and an affair with a young woman -- allegations he finally denied in Monday's interview, saying "no" no less than 36 times, according to a count by free daily Metro.

The main author of the book, Thomas Sjoeberg, on Tuesday accused the Sweden's head of state, who has sat on the throne for 37 years, of lying to his subjects.

"It is uncomfortable for me to see how he so obviously stands there lying to the Swedish people in the face... It's embarrassing," Sjoeberg told Dagens Nyheter.

Sven-Erik Oesterberg, a spokesman for the main opposition Social Democrats, meanwhile called for an official probe into the veracity of the king's comments, insisting that "the problem has not been resolved."

"A more in-depth investigation is necessary into the information and these rumours because it of course affects the state," of which the king is the top representative, he said in a statement.

Sweden's two main tabloids also slammed Carl XVI Gustaf's interview Tuesday, with Expressen plastering "The king's terrible defence speech" across its front page, and Aftonbladet handing space to a former mafia member to reiterate his claim he has in his possession pictures of the monarch at a sex club in the same shot as two naked women.

The scandal is the latest blow to Sweden's royal family which has recently been hit by new revelations of the Nazi past of German-born Queen Silvia's father and Princess Madeleine's messy break-off last year of a long engagement.

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Happy Birthday, Princess Désirée of Sweden, Baroness Silfverschiöld!

Celebrating these birthdays here at RO are also a way to take a look into royals I would never talk about if it wasn't their birthday. On June 2nd, Princess Désirée celebrated her 73rd birthday. Who is she, you might ask? Well, the Baroness Silfverschiöld is King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden's sister!

Here is what I found on Wikipedia Our Savior about her:  Désirée Elisabeth Sibylla (born 2 June 1938), was born at Haga Palace outside Stockholm. She is the third child of Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten, and Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, and granddaughter of King Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden. Her brother is King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. Princess Désirée's engagement to Baron Nils-August Otto Carl Niclas Silfverschiöld, born at Koberg Castle, Sweden on 31 May 1934, son of Baron Carl Silfverschiöld and wife Madeleine Bennich, was announced on 18 December 1963, and the couple married the next year on 5 June 1964 in Storkyrkan in Stockholm. As a result of her unequal marriage, she lost her style of Royal Highness and became Princess Désirée, Baroness Silfverschiöld. They have had 3 children together.

Princess Désirée, Baroness Silfverschiöld lives on the Silfvershiöld family's castle Koberg. She tries to stay out of the public eye, but when she is asked she often accepts official engagements on behalf of the Swedish Royal Family (which occur one or a few times a year). She and her husband are every now and then invited to the official dinners that The King and Queen host, and sometimes also to the dinners connected to state visits to Sweden. She is also Crown Princess Victoria's godmother.