I love to see royals getting involved in charities, groups and conferences that are health-related. They have a lot of influence, and are able to draw attention, just by their presence, to the need to support these initiatives.
Last week, Princess Victoria of Sweden and Princess Letizia of Spain attended two separate events benefiting women and people with autism, respectively.
On September 24, 2009, Princess Victoria inaugurated the new women’s clinic at the University Hospital MAS in Malmo, Sweden. The hospital provides medical services not just for residents of Malmo, but also for those in the southern region of Sweden as well. …read more

The Swedish royals showed two completely different fashion palettes for the events related to the opening of the parliament in Stockholm, Sweden this week.

For the official opening day, September 15, 2009, the outfits were rather somber, with Queen Silvia and Crown Princess Victoria in black. Princess Victoria’s ensemble was given variety only by white with black polka-dot accents, and the Queen’s by pearls and white flowers in her hat. Princess Madeleine went slightly lighter, in charcoal grey; King Carl Gustav and Prince Carl Philip wore coat-and-tie.
Nothing especially noteworthy, but I do like Princess Victoria’s dress and hat!

Princess Madeleine of Sweden attended the inauguration of the fourth Ronald McDonald House in Sweden on August 26, 2009.
 

The house is located in Linkoping and provides accommodation for the families of seriously ill children who are being treated at the University Hospital. As part of the inauguration, Princess Madeleine planted a tree and toured the house. She also met a family who was admitted to the residence ahead of the opening ceremony.

images: Zuma Press; source: nt.se

Princess Victoria of Sweden visited Savar in Vasterbotten on August 19, 2009. Ceremonies marking the last battle on Swedish soil were held in the village.
It had been exactly 200 years since Sweden lost Finland to Russia. As part of the commemorations, a reenactment of the last battle was held in Savar.

The Swedish Crown Princess warmly greeted the crowd who gathered to see her, and they returned the sentiment. It is clear that Princess Victoria enjoys interacting with them. I think she’ll make a great and well-loved queen!

Princess Madeleine of Sweden, 27, and Jonas Bergstrom, 30, announced their engagement yesterday!
 

The youngest daughter of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia has been dating Mr. Bergstrom, a lawyer, since 2002. The couple’s engagement means that there will be two royal weddings in Sweden soon! Princess Madeleine’s older sister, Crown Princess Victoria, announced her own engagement to Daniel Westling in February.
While no date for the wedding of Princess Madeleine and Mr. Bergstrom has been set, it is assumed that they will wait until after Princess Victoria’s wedding in June 2010.
Congratulations to the lovely couple!

images: Zuma Press

Princess Maxima and Queen Silvia enjoy the tulips in Lisse.
On the second day of their state visit to the Netherlands, April 22, 2009, Sweden’s King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia had both joint and separate engagements.
In the morning, King Carl Gustaf had meetings with various people from the business industry and the Dutch government. Among them was Prime Minister J.P. Balkende. Meanwhile, Queen Silvia visited the International Flower Exhibition Keukenhof in Lisse, accompanied by Dutch Crown Princess Maxima. It was a lovely day for a visit to the gardens, as the famous tulips of the Netherlands are in full bloom. …read more

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and King Carl Gustaf of Sweden during the welcome ceremony at the Hague
Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands welcomed Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia yesterday, April 21, 2009.
The official welcome ceremony was conducted at the Hague. Queen Beatrix then hosted a state banquet at Palace Noodeinde in the evening. The banquet was a glittering affair, with tiaras all around for the royal ladies (photo below).

Daniel Westling and Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria at Princess Sibylla´s Apartment at the Royal Palace in Stockholm on February 24, 2009.
After the joy and congratulations over the engagement of Sweden’s Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling have subsided, the serious business of preparing for a royal wedding is now on the agenda for the Swedish people and government.
Since this is the first royal wedding in Sweden for more than 3 decades, and the wedding of the future queen, it won’t be a small affair. And, 2010 is the 200th year of the House of Bernadotte as Sweden’s ruling family. The …read more

After the official announcement today, members of the media were invited to the Royal Palace in Stockholm to meet the newly engaged Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling. Here are some photos of the happy couple (and the ring!) (click images for larger versions):

Daniel Westling and Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria at Princess Sibylla´s Apartment at the Royal Palace in Stockholm on February 24, 2009.

It was announced today by the Swedish Royal Palace that Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling will wed in 2010!
Princess Victoria and Daniel, the owner of a chain of fitness centers, have been a couple for seven years. They met in 2002 when the popular princess was working out at one of the gyms. The wedding is set for early summer next year.
You can watch the video below. It’s in Swedish but that’s fine with us, right? I do believe I heard Queen Silvia said something about Daniel being “full of energy” and “positive”. King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen …read more