The news took everyone by surprise. Unlike other royal pregnancies, where rumors usually precede the official announcement, the Swedish Royal Family revealed last Monday, without warning, that Princess Sofia and Prince Carl Philip are expecting their fourth child.
This baby, due to be born in February, will be the newest member of the princes’ already large family.
Princess Sofia of Sweden’s maternity style
Less than two days after the announcement, the couple reappeared at an official event in Värmland, the province of which they are dukes, after having attended this weekend the wedding of Marta Luisa of Norway and Durek Verrett.
On this visit, Princess Sofia wore a maternity look that showed off her almost four-month belly.
With a big smile, Sofia Hellqvist posed for the cameras without the need to hide her pregnancy, wearing a white striped T-shirt that accentuated the curve of her abdomen, accompanied by simple black pants, low-heeled ankle boots and a blue and white printed scarf that gave her a touch of color and protected her from the cold at times.
The outfit, comfortable and elegant, was perfect for a day full of activities in Värmland.
The princes inaugurated a new building at Volvo Construction Equipment in Arvika, had lunch at the Rackstad Museum, walked to the Morokulien Peace Monument on the Swedish-Norwegian border and ended with a dinner hosted by the governor of the province.
A spokesman for the Swedish Crown said that “Sofia is doing very well and wants to continue with her schedule as normal.”
This fourth baby will join her three older brothers: Prince Alexander, born in April 2016; Prince Gabriel, who arrived in August 2017; and Prince Julian, born in 2021.
He will also be the ninth grandchild for the kings of Sweden and will be eighth in the line of succession to the throne, behind Crown Princess Victoria; her children Estelle and Oscar; his father, Prince Carl Philip; and his three older brothers.
This new member of the royal family will be born in a unique context following the decision taken in 2019 by King Carl XVI Gustaf that only the children of the heir to the throne, Estelle and Oscar, would be considered Royal Highnesses and would be an active part of the royal family.
Therefore, although the baby will receive the title of prince or princess and will be a duke or duchess of some Swedish province, he or she will not carry the treatment of Royal Highness.