Princess Sofia and Prince Carl Philip’s love story

Today, Sweden’s royal household announced that Princess Sofia, the wife of Prince Carl Philip, is pregnant with her fourth child.
The royals share one of the most controversial, heartwarming, and enduring love stories, and the news of their pregnancy adds another chapter to their modern-day fairytale. 
In the summer of 2009, it is said that Prince Carl and the future Princess Sofia were eating at the same restaurant where their friends just happened to know one another.
READ MORE: Princess Sofia of Sweden pregnant with fourth child
“We started with a shy greeting, and everything followed,” said the Prince at the time of their engagement. 
As their feelings began to develop, the couple had to make their relationship known to the public. In July 2010, the Swedish Royal Court confirmed they were dating. 
READ MORE: Sweet moment Paralympian proposes to coach when crossing finish line
The pair reportedly moved in together the following year, and speculation began to swirl as royal watchers wondered if one of Europe’s most eligible bachelors was off the market. 
Sofia’s past was also brought into question. At the age of 20, she posed for Swedish men’s magazine Slitz, wearing a boa constrictor – and not much else – and was voted “Miss Slitz 2004.”
She was also briefly a contestant on the series Paradise Hotel, in which a group of single people are marooned in a luxury tropical resort and compete to find a partner.
When the pair were snapped together enjoying a holiday in Ibiza, more controversy followed. It was 2014, and Sweden’s public saw the photos of Sofia on a yacht with several tattoos on show.
READ MORE: Tobey Maguire’s ex-wife engaged to billionaire heir
People were not happy about Prince Carl Philip’s choice of girlfriend, Sofia said she found the transition from celebrity to royal incredibly difficult – made worse by the nasty online commentary.
In a 2018 interview with Sweden’s TV4, Sofia said: “I was met with an enormous hate storm, from people who had opinions about as a person, about my relationship.
“I was surprised, and it definitely affected me. I didn’t understand that people had such [a] need to express how badly they felt about me. It was very tough.
“I don’t regret anything. All these experiences have made me the person I am. I wouldn’t have made those choices today.”
Thankfully, the pair didn’t let that stop them from pursuing their love for each other. Prince Carl and Sofia announced their engagement during a media conference at the Royal Palace in Stockholm, Sweden, on June 27, 2014. 
READ MORE: Elle Macpherson reveals why she burned her wedding dress
“I don’t think I knew the magic of love before I met Sofia,” Prince Carl said in their joint engagement interview.
“But ever since I met her, I’ve seen how love can change a person.”
Sofia said of her future husband: “The first thing I noticed about Carl Philip was that he seemed very humble.
“When I got to know him, I saw that he was incredibly natural, very intelligent and very humble.”
Prince Carl married Sofia Hellqvist inside the Royal Chapel at the Royal Palace of Stockholm on June 13, 2015.
The former glamour model was now known as Her Royal Highness Princess Sofia, Duchess of Värmland.
READ MORE: We put Sleeping Duck’s mattress in a box to the test
In a speech after the ceremony, Prince Carl told their guests: “Today I am the happiest man in the world.”
The Swedish public began to be more accepting of their newest royal family member, and the prejudice against Sofia was overshadowed by her charity work and sense of style. 
Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia of Sweden welcomed their first child, Prince Alexander, in April 2016.
The pair welcomed their second son, Prince Gabriel, in August 2017. Sofia told Kupé magazine: “It’s tougher with two than with a child. But there is also twice as much love.”
Still deeply in love, the couple had their third child, Prince Julian, in March 2021.
For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.
Since marrying, the couple have split their time between Sweden and the US; they currently live in Miami. However, they have confirmed they will be moving back to Sweden permanently soon.
Now, they’re one of Sweden’s most popular royal family members and are expecting their fourth baby in 2025. 
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.