Christening of Prince Oscar of Sweden

Photo: Hans Garlöw/Kungahuset.se. In the middle Crown Princess Victoria with Prince Oscar in her arms, Prince Daniel and Princess Estelle. To the left the sponsors Hans Åström, Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark. To the right Princess Madeleine carrying Princess Leonore and beside her the last of the five sponsors, Oscar Magnuson. 

The christening of Prince Oscar of Sweden, who was born on 2 March this year, took place at the Palace Church in Stockholm today. Sponsors of the little prince were Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, Princess Madeleine of Sweden, Oscar Magnuson (first cousin of Crown Princess Victoria) and Hans Åström (first cousin of Prince Daniel).

Archbishop Antje Jackelén, assisted by Bishop and Chief Court Chaplain Johan Dalman and Court Chaplain and Rector of the Royal Court Parish Michael Bjerkhagen officiated the ceremony.

The program of the christening ceremony can be viewed here.

Among the guests at the church ceremony and reception were:

The Swedish Royal Family

• King Carl Gustaf
• Queen Silvia
• Crown Princess Victoria
• Prince Daniel
• Princess Estelle
• Prince Carl Philip
• Princess Sofia
• Princess Madeleine
• Christopher O'Neill
• Princess Leonore
• Prince Nicolas

HM The King's family

• Princess Margaretha, Mrs. Ambler
• Baroness Christina Louise De Geer and Baron Hans De Geer
• Princess Christina Mrs. Magnuson and Tord Magnuson
• Gustaf Magnuson and Vicky Magnuson
• Oscar Magnuson and Emma Magnuson
• Victor Magnuson and Frida Bergström
• Countess Marianne Bernadotte af Wisborg
• Count Bertil Bernadotte af Wisborg amd Countess Jill Bernadotte af Wisborg
• Dagmar von Arbin

HM The Queen's family

• Ralf de Toledo Sommerlath and Charlotte de Toledo Sommerlath
• Thomas de Toledo Sommerlath and Bettina Aussems
• Walther L. Sommerlath
• Patrick Sommerlath and Maline Sommerlath
• Leopold Lundén Sommerlath
• Chloé Sommerlath
• Anaïs Sommerlath

Other foreign royal guests

• Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark
• Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway

In addition Prince Daniel's parents Olle and Ewa Westling, his siblings and their families and other family members, as well as representatives of Riksdagen (the Parliament), the leaders of the polical parties, the Government and the church, other authorities, including the governors of Stockholm, Skåne and Västra Götaland and finally representatives of the corps diplomatique. For a full guest list, go here.

The arms of Prince Oscar of Sweden. (The image is taken from the Swedish National Archives' press photo section, where the photos and images are free of use.)

The arms and monogram of Prince Oscar were also published in connection with the christening. The four quarters of the arms show the lesser coat of arms of Sweden (field 1 and 4), the arms of Folkunga (field 2) and in field 3 the arms of Skåne (Scania) (Prince Oscar is also Duke of Skåne), while the inescutcheon shows the arms of the House of Bernadotte. The arms are crowned by the princes crown. The arms are drawn by the heraldic artist Henrik Dahlström, the Swedish National Archives. The monogram consists of the initial O and a prince crown above.

HRH Prince Oscar Carl Olof of Sweden, Duke of Skåne

Following the birth of Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden's son yesterday, the King announced in the special Council of State at the Royal Palace in Stockholm today that the newborn prince has received the names Oscar Carl Olof and the dukedom of Skåne. The first of the three names, Oscar, will be the boy's call name.

I must say I am both surprised and delighted that the prince has received such a traditional Swedish royal name. After the surprise the Crown Princess couple made when their firstborn was named Estelle and when Princess Madeleine's children were named Leonore and Nicolas, it was almost impossible to guess on the newborn's name.

The last duke of Skåne was Prince Oscar's great-great-grandfather King Gustaf VI Adolf (1882–1973). He also had Olaf (with an a) as one of his given names. The newborn's third name is spelt Olof with an o, though, but close enough! The prince's father Prince Daniel also has the name Olof.

I don't feel it is necessary to list all the people in the Bernadotte dynasty or family who had or have the names Oscar or Carl. Just check out An Online Gotha!

The updated line of succession to the throne of Sweden is as follows:

1. Crown Princess Victoria (1977)
2. Princess Estelle (2012)
3. Prince Oscar (2016)
4. Prince Carl Philip (1979)
5. Princess Madeleine (1982)
6. Princess Leonore (2014)
7. Prince Nicolas (2015)