Her Royal Highness Princess Estelle Silvia Ewa Mary was born on 23 February 2012 at Karolinska University Hospital in Solna, Sweden, to Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden. Her birth was celebrated with 21-gun salutes in Stockholm.
Her name and title of Duchess of Östergötland were announced the next day by her grandfather, King Carl XVI Gustaf during a cabinet meeting. After which, a Te Deum service was held in the Royal Chapel of Stockholm Palace with King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia, Prince Daniel, Prince Carl Philip, and Daniel’s parents and sister in attendance.
One of the official photos released for her first birthday. Photo: Kate Gabor, The Royal Court, Sweden
Estelle, who is second-in-line to the Swedish throne after her mother, was christened on 22 May 2012 in the Royal Chapel of Stockholm Palace. Royals from all over Europe were in attendance with some serving as godparents. The young royal’s godparents were her maternal uncle, Prince Carl Philip; her paternal aunt, Anna Westling-Söderström; one of her namesakes, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark; then Prince of Orange and current King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands; and Crown Prince Haakon of Norway. Like her mother, uncle, and aunt before her, she was christened in the antique family christening gown first worn by Prince Gustaf Adolph in 1906. Her name was embroidered on the gown after the ceremony.
Official photo from Princess Estelle’s christening with her parents and godparents. Photo: Bruno Ehrs / The Royal Court Sweden.
She served as a bridesmaid in her uncle and godfather’s June 2015 wedding to Sofia Hellqvist. In a sweet moment after the bride and groom had arrived at Drottningholm Palace for their reception, Estelle made sure to hug her new Aunt Sofia as soon as she saw her on the balcony.
From an early age, Estelle has been brought on official engagements alongside her parents. Often, her facial expressions and outgoing personality have her parents and the crowd laughing at these events. She’s featured in the Crown Princess Family’s annual Christmas video, as well.
On 4 September 2015, the Swedish Royal Court announced that Victoria was expecting her and Daniel’s second child. Victoria remarked at an event a few months later that Estelle would rather have a hamster than a younger sibling. Prince Oscar, Duke of Skåne was born on 2 March 2016 at the same hospital as his big sister.
Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar. Photo: Anna-Lena Ahlström/Royal Court, Sweden
Estelle went to the hospital the next day to see little Oscar. It was said that she was sad that Oscar had his eyes closed because he couldn’t see the drawings she had made him. She happily attended Oscar’s Te Deum ceremony later that day with her father, grandparents, aunts Madeleine and Sofia and uncles Carl Philip and Chris.
Their mother explained in an interview for Året Med Kungafamiljen 2016 that Estelle was a wonderful and caring big sister. She is also known to be very close with her first cousin, Princess Leonore. Madeleine once posted on Facebook about their bond, “My sister and I are blessed as mothers of these two sweet little girls who adore each other!”
Photo Anna-Lena Ahlström, The Royal Court
Victoria and Daniel regularly release photos of Estelle and her baby brother to the public. Each year on National Day, at least one, or more, pictures are released of the Princess wearing Sweden’s national dress.
Princess Estelle. Photo: Kate Gabor/Kungahuset.se
Estelle lives in Haga Palace with her parents and brother just north of Stockholm. Until November of 2016, she had a nanny from Australia to help her learn the English language. In August 2014, she began pre-school at Äventyret in Danderyd. In October of 2016, it was announced that the Princess had begun attending the school, Lilla Kvikkjokk on the island of Djurgården. Next autumn, it is believed, like most Swedish children, she will begin the one-year förskoleklass or pre-school year in English before starting her compulsory schooling at age seven.
One of the images released for Estelle’s 5th birthday. Photo: Anna-Lena Ahlström, The Royal Court, Sweden
Princess Estelle is the eldest grandchild for King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia. Besides her brother Prince Oscar who will turn one in March, she has three younger cousins: three-year-old Princess Leonore, one-year-old Prince Nicolas, and ten-month-old Prince Alexander.
One of two images released for her 5th birthday. Photo: Anna-Lena Ahlström, The Royal Court, Sweden
As expected, the Royal Court released two new photos of the now five-year-old Estelle for her birthday. Anna-Lena Ahlström took the adorable black and white pictures. Those wanting to wish her a happy birthday can do so on the Swedish Royal Family’s Facebook.