Sweden royal christening: Little Prince Nicolas is baptised

Prince Nicolas of Sweden was christened at Drottningholm Palace Chapel in Stockholm on Sunday. Around 150 guests including family and friends attended the royal christening ceremony in the church of Drottingholm Palace on the outskirts of Stockholm.

The baby was baptised in the same gown that his cousin Estelle, his elder sister Princess Leonore and other members of the Bernadotte family wore during their christening including King Carl XVI Gustaf, Princess Victoria, the Swedish royal court revealed earlier. Nicolas slept in the arms of his mother Princess Madeleine throughout the major part of the service, Hello reported.

Nicolas’ older sister Leonore sat on her father’s lap during the ceremony. She was dressed in a deep grey frilly frock accessorised with a large blue bow in her hair. Other members of the royal family, Crown Princess Victoria, her husband Prince Daniel and their daughter Princess Estelle were also there. Princess Sofia also sat next to Daniel as they watched the little prince baptised into the Church of Sweden.

Madeleine’s brother Prince Carl Philip was named as the baby’s godfather along with five other friends of the royal couple, People reported. Carl Philip, who married Sofia in a high profile royal wedding in June, gave a speech at the ceremony. Also, he filled up the baptismal font and blessed the child.

After the service, the parents of Prince Nicolas took him outside to greet well-wishers who had braved the sunny weather and were waiting to catch a glimpse of the child, Hello reported. The christening was one of Sweden’s most important events of the year and was broadcast on national television.

After the official ceremony guests attended a reception at the palace, which was followed by a private lunch for the family members. Invited guests included immediate family and representative of the Riksdag and the government.

Baby Nicolas is the second child of Princess Madeleine of Sweden and her businessman husband Chris O’Neill. Prince Nicolas Paul Gustaf, also to be known as the Duke of Angermanland after a province in northern Sweden, is the first grandson of King Carl XVI Gustaf, who has two granddaughters. He is sixth in line to the Swedish throne.

The couple's daughter, Leonore is 19 months old. Prince Nicolas was born on June 15 at Danderyd Hospital.

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.