Princess Ines of Sweden to be christened on her mum and dad's wedding anniversary

 

It's a rather special wedding anniversary this year for one royal couple and for more than one reason. Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia are celebrating ten years of marriage and to really put the cherry on top of their anniversary cake, they are having their youngest child baptised on the same day.

Sweden's royal baby: Gabriel and brotherly love

Prince Gabriel of Sweden might only just have turned one month but he's already got a friend for life. As the newest royal on the continent debuts in official photos, his big brother Alexander is on hand to help him through. They are already an adorable royal double act and then some.

New photos of Prince Alexander of Sweden

Prince Carl Philip, Princess Sofia and Prince Alexander of Sweden with Siri the dog in a new family photo 

Usually, it's the birthday royal who stars in photos released on their big day but this year, Carl Philip of Sweden is making way for another prince. The new images shared on May 13th 2016, his 37th birthday, are all about Alexander and the new dad couldn't look happier about it.

First photo of Prince Alexander of Sweden

Prince Alexander of Sweden in his first official photo

At the age of three days, Europe's newest royal has posed for his first image. Alexander of Sweden has been photographed by his father, Prince Carl Philip, and very cute he is too.  Prince Alexander had been pictured leaving hospital with his parents but that was the traditional car seat pose. This was our first chance to see him in close up.

The Te Deum for Prince Alexander

Prince Carl Philip beams with joy at the Te Deum for his newborn son, Alexander

He has attended four Te Deums to celebrate the arrival of his nieces and nephews but today Prince Carl Philip sat centre stage at the service held to mark the safe arrival of his own son, Alexander. And the new dad couldn't have looked happier or more proud.

Prince Alexander of Sweden

The baby son of Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia has been named Alexander. He has been given the title of Duke of Sodermanland.  The announcements were made this morning at a special cabinet meeting in the Royal Palace in Stockholm.

Prince Alexander of Sweden, Duke of Sodermanland with his parents, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia

Proud grandfather, King Carl XVI Gustaf, told the meeting that his fifth grandchild and third grandson would carry the names of Alexander Erik Hubertus Bertil.

Meet Sweden's newest prince

Once his dad was the only prince in the line of succession, now Sweden is over run with male royals. And the latest man of the royal house made his debut in front of the cameras as he headed home from hospital with his parents. Carl Philip, Sofia and the new prince of Sweden are beginning life as a family of three.

The newest prince in Europe is just visible as his parents take him home from hospital the day after his birth

The new fifth in line to the throne of Sweden was born at 6.25pm on April 19th 2016 at the Danderyd Hospital. His proud father spoke to the press soon afterwards and promised a glimpse of his son in due time and today we got that first look, albeit of the top of his head and quite a lot of blanket as he nestled in his car seat for the drive back to Drottningholm.

Prince Carl Philip of Sweden announces the birth of his son on April 19th 2016

We find out the little prince's name tomorrow at a special cabinet meeting while the Te Deum for his safe arrival takes place on Friday. In the meantime, Sofia of Sweden is back at home with the two men in her life and Carl Philip has yet another male companion in the line of succession - his own son.

There is a special page about Sweden's newest royal here.

Royal Baby Sweden: it's a boy!

Sweden's newest royal is a baby prince but they kept us waiting for the big reveal. The first child of Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia was born at 6.25pm on April 19th 2016 at Danderyd Hospital with the Marshal of the Realm announcing the news soon afterwards but that official communique made no reference to the baby's gender. That was left to proud daddy, Carl Philip, who met the press just three hours after welcoming his child.

Sofia and Carl Philip of Sweden - parents of a son

Prince Carl Philip beamed with pride and was filled with emotion as he talked about the arrival of his son. The baby weighed 7 lbs and 14 oz and measured 49 cm. Mum is well, baby is well and dad is so happy he looked like he might burst.

Prince Carl Philip announces the birth of his son to the world

The new prince is fifth in line to the throne of Sweden behind Crown Princess Victoria, Princess Estelle, Prince Oscar and Prince Carl Philip. His name and ducal title will be revealed at a special cabinet meeting tomorrow and there will also be a Te Deum at the Royal Chapel at the Royal Palace to celebrate the safe delivery of Sweden's newest royal baby.

Prince Carl Philip shows the media how long his newborn son is

The little prince was born ten months after his mum and dad's marriage in Stockholm which was attended by royalty from around the world.  And he has made his appearance just five weeks after the birth of his cousin Oscar, second child of Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel, who was born on March 2nd 2016 at Solna.

The new baby prince's parents on their wedding day - now they are three

The baby is the fifth grandchild for King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia and completes a hat trick of royal princes following the birth of Oscar and Prince Nicolas, son of Princess Madeleine, who was born in June 2015 just after Carl Philip and Sofia's wedding.

And there is a special page all about Sweden's new royal baby here.

Sweden has a new royal baby!

Princess Sofia of Sweden has given birth to her first baby. She and Prince Carl Philip welcomed their child at 6.25pm on April 19th 2016 and the official announcement was made soon afterwards by the Marshal of the Realm.

We don't know if Royal Baby Sweden is a boy or a girl but we do know they are healthy and fifth in line to their country's throne. The birth took place at the Danderyd Hospital.  More news will follow through the evening with Prince Carl Philip due to meet the media at 9.30om local time. Keep checking back as we celebrate Royal Baby Sweden.

And there is a special page about Sweden's new royal baby here.

Is it a boy or girl for Sofia?

Royal Baby Watch is well and truly under way. We know Princess Sofia has nothing in her diary until the end of April and that husband, Prince Carl Philip, has a few empty weeks ahead of him too which means that Sweden's latest royal could well be imminent. But will we be welcoming a new prince or princess?

Sofia, Duchess of Varmland is about to become a mummy but will it be a boy or a girl?

This one has been hard to call. I was fairly certain that Crown Princess Victoria was having a boy though I thought the Duchess of Cambridge was lined up for son number two last year and in 2013 I was convinced that Kate would be leaving hospital with a little girl in her arms so my hit rate is fairly low. But this time round, I couldn't even guess - until a certain photo a few weeks ago.

Sofia face to face with royal history

As soon as I saw Sofia in front of this piece of Swedish history, the thoughts of a baby prince got stronger. Maybe it's because we're all loving seeing Prince Oscar in his blue cardigan, maybe it's because the royal baby in Sweden before that was also a boy but I have a feeling Sofia will welcome a son.

Prince Oscar of Sweden is his country's newest prince - but will he have another male cousin to play with in the near future?

Just before Victoria welcomed Prince Oscar she went on a tour of the Bernadotte library and then a few weeks later revealed her baby boy named after the founder of the dynasty. So Sofia visiting the tomb of a king called Carl took on an extra meaning in that context. And bear in mind that the crown of this Carl passed to his sister who wrote a new chapter in the history of queens regnant in Europe. I'm going boy.

Princess Sofia in pale blue for the Te Deum for her nephew, Prince Oscar, born on March 2nd 2016

Perhaps more tellingly, Sofia wore a lot of blue around the mid mark of her pregnancy - when scans usually show the gender of a baby. And while we heard that this royal couple didn't want to know the gender of their child before birth, princesses are allowed to change their minds. Victoria wore a lot of blue at the same point in her great expectations with Oscar so could Sweden's line of succession be about to welcome its fourth prince?

Sofia in blue to welcome the Christmas trees to the Royal Palace - around the time a scan might have shown the gender of her baby

If Sofia does have a son it will mean there are the same number of princes in line to the throne as princesses - the first time that has happened since 1997. Prince Bertil, Duke of Halland died in that year leaving just the children of King Carl XVI Gustaf as claimants. Now, the only boy among that trio is about to become a father for the first time - all eyes are on his wife, Sofia, to see if it's a son or a daughter.

There is a special page all about the wait for Sweden's second royal baby of 2016 here.

A clue to Sofia's due date?

Her diary is looking rather clear right now which could be the biggest hint so far of the actual due date for Princess Sofia's baby. We know that she and hubby, Prince Carl Philip, have great expectations for April but there are thirty whole days to pick from so any help narrowing it down is welcome. And as Sofia headed to hospital on Thursday (stand easy, it was a public engagement) a look ahead to what else this princess has planned for the coming weeks gave as big a clue int as any as to when we might meet the new fifth in line to the throne of Sweden.

Princess Sofia making what could well be her last public appearance before the birth of her baby

Because after that outing on March 31st there is nothing scheduled for Sofia. Which could well mean an early April arrival. Or not, first babies are notoriously hard to predict so even if this prince or princess is meant to arrive around now they might keep mum waiting for up to a fortnight. Princess Sofia seemed quite chilled about it all as she donned scrubs for her latest engagement but then just recently she said she wasn't nervous about the coming weeks, just excited to meet her baby.

Sofia in scrubs - the princess learns about the care provided in the Sophia Hospital

She was visiting the Sophia Hospital in Stockholm, one of the oldest private medical establishments in the city. It opened up in 1889 and is named after Queen Sophia who was consort to King Oscar II who just got his very own 21st century namesake in the shape of 2016's first Swedish royal baby, the son of Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel.

The next time we see Sofia she will probably have a baby in her arms

Queen Sophia founded a school of nursing in 1884 to raise standards of healthcare - she based it on the establishments of Florence Nightingale set up in London in the 1860s. A training hospital soon followed and now the non profit organisation helps develop medical knowledge and care in the country.  Sofia became Honorary President of Sophiahemmet in January this year and her latest engagement involved a tour of the hospital and the surgical wards and a chance to see some of the latest technology being used.

Princess Sofia at the Sofia Sisters Awards earlier this year

Sofia is currently on the list for those expected at the gala events to celebrate King Carl XVI Gustaf's 70th birthday at the end of the month but then as they are huge celebrations for the whole Swedish Royal Family we'd expect to see her name there and if she's just had a baby no one is going to be standing over her with a tiara and evening gown expecting her to head out and smile.  All we do know is that between then and now, there is nothing scheduled for the princess so she can put her feet up and relax as she gets ready for Sweden's latest royal baby. Good luck, Sofia.

Photos: kungahuset.se

Sofia's maternity fashion: the final countdown

As Princess Sofia prepares to welcome her first baby, it's time to look back at the fabulous fashion she's worn as a mummy to be. For there is little room for doubt here - the princess does pregnancy style about as well as anyone around.

There have been some great evening looks (see them here) while her daywear has been chic and sharp. Here's how Sofia of Sweden did style in the last months of her pregnancy.

January 20th 2016, Royal Palace, Stockholm

As 2016 got under way, Princess Sofia made an appearance with King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia at the Music in the Palace event. She chose a monochrome outfit with cropped sleeves that did relaxed formal rather well and looked fabulous to boot. 2016 was off to a great start.

January 21st 2016, City Hall, Stockholm

There was more black and white on display the following day when the princess oversaw the graduation ceremony for the Sophia Sisters who had completed their nursing training. The scheme was named after Queen Sofia of Sweden who set up nursing foundations in Sweden and her royal namesake took over the patronage of the organisation following her marriage. For her debut in this important role, Sofia chose a winner of a black dress with an even more impressive white jacket with black detailing on the collar. A style stunner.

January 27th 2016, Great Synagogue, Stockholm

Princess Sofia marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day by attending a memorial service the Great Synagogue in Stockholm.  For this solemn and important event, the princess chose a simple black dress.

January 28th 2016, Royal Palace, Stockholm

OK, you can only see half this outfit but that part is smart enough. It was board meeting time for Sofia and Carl Philip's Foundation and the princess chose a claret coloured shirt and black jacket and looked really rather chic.

January 29th 2016, Royal Palace, Stockholm

More work in her role as patron of the Sophia Sisters organisation saw the princess choose a pale dove grey funnel neck top. We can't see if it belongs to a dress or a blouse but that doesn't matter. It's really rather chic indeed and well worth a second glance.

February 10th 2016, Royal Palace, Stockholm

There was more pale grey for Sofia at a meeting attended by most of Sweden's Royal Family as well as politicians focused on export strategy. This is a really hard one to get a proper look at as the photo really only gives an idea of colour and the fact that there is a top and jacket combo going on here. 

February 26th 2016, Royal Palace, Stockholm

There's more sitting down here but who can blame a princess about a month away from giving birth from putting her feet up just a little bit? It means we're doing more guessing about this maternity outfit but we can see a chic black shirt and neat white cardigan and who doesn't like a touch of monochrome in the winter months?

March 1st 2016, Royal Palace, Stockholm

Time for a better glimpse of the black jacket worn to the board meeting in January. This time the piece is teamed with a pale pink shirt and black trousers and we can see it's got a bit of a tux theme going on with slightly padded shoulders and satin collar. Perhaps not the best mix with the shirt but an interesting outfit nonetheless.

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March 3rd 2016, Royal Chapel, Royal Palace, Stockholm

The Te Deum for Prince Oscar was held less than 24 hours after his birth but new auntie, Sofia, was ready with an outfit that belongs in a top ten looks of any year. Her pale blue dress with white lace trim including a subtle empire line detailing was gorgeous. The pretty little hat with veil was beyond chic while the black ribbon, bag and shoes were the perfect complements. A total winner.

March 10th 2016, Royal Palace, Stockholm
For a meeting alongside her husband, Prince Carl Philip, with UN ambassadors, Princess Sofia chose a black dress and white jacket which took this maternity wardrobe to a new high. The ribbon on the jacket is perfect, the sleeves are even better and the whole look is total elegance. 

March 21st 2016, Royal Palace, Stockholm
It's another head and shoulders here but we've got green and we've got interesting and we've got the tux jacket back again. The top has detailing round the neckline and it's a better match for the jacket than the pale pink. Rather stylish.

March 21st 2016, Riddarholm Church, Stockholm
Sweden's royal future and past were photographed together when Sofia visited the tomb of King Carl XVII. She wore a simple black coat with tie belt for the event - not her last before she has her baby but surely one of the most symbolic as she and the next generation of Sweden's royals took a walk around part of the country's history.

Check back for the final looks in Sofia's maternity wardrobe over the coming week.

All photos kungahuset.se

Sofia's maternity fashion: the daywear highlights

With just weeks to go until Princess Sofia becomes a mum for the first time, royal baby excitement is on the up again. So to keep us all calm during these regal great expectations, here's a look back at some of the daywear that Sofia has shown us since October 15th when she announced that her pregnancy. And there are some pretty stunning looks here. Sit back and enjoy some of the highlights of Sofia's maternity daywear.

November 26th 2015, Global Child Forum, Royal Palace, Stockholm

Where else to start with a run down of some of the highlights of Sofia's daywear maternity looks than with this terrific teal top and black trousers combo? The top has a stunning drape effect and the addition of mid length sleeves gives it the perfect shape while the slim trousers and ankle boots add another winning touch to this outfit.

November 27th 2015, Royal Palace, Stockholm

For a meeting ahead of the Nobel Prize ceremony, Sofia chose another draped top this time in a pale oatmeal. OK, we didn't get to see very much of it and we were all wondering just when her hair had got so long but it was still pretty enough and very appropriate for the event.

December 2nd 2015, Royal Palace, Stockholm

Hands up any pregnant woman out there who hasn't done the whole big scarf effect in at least one outfit? The latest royal take on this trend came as Sofia held an audience with Admir Lucacevic to launch a Sports without Borders project when she teamed a blue floral print scarf with a pale blue top and dark blue jacket and looked really rather nice indeed.

December 3rd 2015, Royal Palace, Stockholm

There was more blue on show the next day for a board meeting at the Royal Palace. We were here before with Crown Princess Sofia but this big splash of baby blue came around the time in a pregnancy that parents can find out the gender of their baby. Carl Philip and Sofia have said they don't know but let's just focus on the blue. It's a very pretty shade and shape as well and just very, well, blue.

Prins Carl Philip och Prinsessan Sofia tar emot julgranar från studenter vid jägmästarprogrammet på Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet (SLU). Sedan slutet av 1960-talet överlämnar SLU julgranar till Kungliga slottet. Kungsgranen har fått sitt nuvarande namn efter denna tradition, den hette från början nordmannsgran. Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia receives Christmas trees from students at the program of forestry at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). Since the end of the 1960’s, SLU gives Christmas trees to the Royal Palace. The “king fir Christmas tree” have received its name from this tradition, it was earlier called Nordmann fir. #kungahuset #kungligaslottet #kungsgran #slu

A photo posted by Kungahuset (@kungahuset) on Dec 16, 2015 at 12:52am PST

December 16th 2015, Royal Palace, Stockholm

As she took part in the official reception of the Christmas trees at the Royal Palace for the first time, Sofia went for a geometric print which worked rather well. It was bright, it was bold and it was teamed with a sharp jacket that added a formal element to the whole outfit. And mostly blue. Again. 

And there will be more of Sofia's daywear soon. Check out her evening maternity wear here.

Sweden's royal future and past

Sweden's royals have a lot to look forward to right now with new baby, Prince Oscar, already growing up into an exciting future and a new prince or princess on the verge of making their debut as Princess Sofia prepares to give birth to her first child. And as enters the final days of her pregnancy. Sofia visited one of the most famous historic sites of Sweden's royal history. Future and past together for one moment in the present day.

Princess Sofia of Sweden in front of the tomb of Karl XII 

(photo Sveriges Kungahuset Instagram)

Sofia was photographed in the Riddarholm Church in Stockholm where she visited the tomb of King Karl XII of Sweden. His reign, between 1697 and 1718 was marked by military campaigns of an epic nature and he was killed while inspecting troops although there have been many rumours and claims that he was murdered. He never married and was succeeded to the throne by his sister, Ulrika Eleonora, who would abdicate not long afterwards in favour of her husband, Frederick, although she was loathe to do it.

King Carl XII of Sweden

Sofia's visit saw future and past collide, just as they had for Crown Princess Victoria a few weeks before the birth of Prince Oscar when she visited the Bernadotte Library at the Royal Palace to look back at her dynasty's history. Among the papers she saw were some relating to the first Bernadotte king, Oscar - so is today's visit a clue to the next royal baby's name? Sofia said that there were names ready for the new prince or princess but they would stay secret until the big announcement after the baby's arrival. And when asked if she was nervous about the birth she said no and added that she was just looking forward to her baby.

Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia are expecting their first baby in April

Sofia had a busy day, also attending a meeting at the Royal Palace focused on children's rights. It was organised by her mother-in-law, Queen Silvia, who was also present and involved organisations helping refugee children and young people arriving in Sweden.

Princess Sofia at today's meeting at the Royal Palace

(photo Sveriges Kungahuset)

Sofia's pregnancy was announced in October 2015 when it was said that her baby was due in April. The new prince or princess will be fifth in line to the throne of Sweden from birth.

Princess Sofia's maternity style: the evening looks

We've only just got used to one Swedish royal baby and the whole excitement is about to start again. Princess Sofia is due to give birth to her first child in April which means within a few weeks time we'll get to see happy daddies making announcements (a debut role for Prince Carl Philip) and cute and cuddly baby snaps all over again. So as we get ready to ooh and aah over Sofia's baby, here's a look back at her maternity style - a review of all her fashion choices since she shared news of her pregnancy on October 15th. And you might be saying 'ooh' and 'aah' over a few of these - this Royal Wardrobe has been full of great expectations. It all starts with the evening looks.

October 23rd 2015, Stockholm City Hall

Our first foray into evening maternity fashion with Sofia was at the formal gathering of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences and it was all about peachy perfection. 

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Her pastel, sequinned, fitted gown gave a hint of a baby bump and plenty of wardrobe envy as she sparkled in a stunner of a gown. It was a sign of things to come because this royal mummy to be really knows how to do evening wear, maternity style.

November 25th 2015, Stockholm

For a dinner in support of her charity, Project Playground, Princess Sofia gave us one of the evening gowns of the year with this pretty, black lace effect cocktail dress. From the intricate neckline to the slightly flared skirt and taking in all the embellishments in between, this is a dream of a dress and a winner every time.

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December 10th 2015, Concert Hall, Stockholm and Royal Palace, Stockholm

It was black again for Sofia as she attended the Nobel Prize giving ceremony for the first time as a princess. Her evening gown was super appropriate for the event if somewhat overshadowed by the regal purple of her sister in law, Crown Princess Victoria. Sofia added her wedding tiara of emeralds and diamonds and matching earrings and sparkled her way through her royal debut at this major event.

December 11th, Royal Palace, Stockholm

Sofia sparkled in silver as she joined the rest of the Royal Family for the King's Dinner for the Nobel Laureates at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. Her dress had been seen before and features in the portrait on her page on the Swedish Royal Family website. It is pure fairytale princess style with long, flared skirt and light, lacy sleeves - one of those gowns which will always look good with diamonds. And it did for his gala event All of a sudden, we had a royal maternity style queen on our hands.

December 21st 2015, Gustav Vasa Church, Stockholm

All pregnant women have a day when they wake up and suddenly the bump is in charge. Sofia's came in mid December because by the time she attended the Christmas in Vasatan Concert her bump was definitely the boss. She chose a teal coloured lace dress for this evening of music which mixed modern and traditional carols and looked beautiful. Pregnancy suits this princess.

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January 25th 2016, Ericsson Globe, Stockholm
And now, ladies and gentlemen, please say hello again to quite possibly the best royal maternity evening dress ever. Princess Sofia chose this navy blue gown for her appearance at the Swedish Sports Awards 2016 and stole the show. There is no way this isn't in a top ten of regal looks for the year, she just looks fabulous. From the pseudo Empire line to the matching belt to the drape of the skirt there is nothing not to love about this royal evening dress. Fabulous.

February 3rd 2016, Royal Palace, Sotckholm
For the first royal dinner of the year, Princess Sofia glittered in gold in a maternity gown that was all about bold. The newest princess in Europe chose a sequinned sheath dress that sparkled and if it didn't quite match the wedding tiara, who cares? When you've got diamonds, emeralds and a frock as great as this one why not put them altogether and look amazing.

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February 19th 2016, Stockholm
It was yet another winner of an evening look from Sofia as she attended the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts formal gathering with her husband and mother in law. Sofia chose a bright red cocktail dress with lace detailing at the top which looked just as good by itself or with the black evening jacket which the frosty Swedish air called for on arrival. Sofia has another gala appearance in her diary before becoming a mummy for the first time (check back later this week, it's in for March 18th) but on her choices so far. she's got maternity evening wear sorted and then some. A truly Royal Wardrobe.

The Royal Wardrobe: pastel perfection

Amidst the royal baby excitement, there were other things to get happy about. And among them were five fabulous outfits in pale and pastel shades that reminded everyone that spring is about to hit the Royal Wardrobe. From peachy pink to baby blue, this week was all about soft shades taking over from the dark hues of winter. Here is this week's Royal Wardrobe.

Well, this week has been all about Sweden. So it's no surprise that the star look came from Sofia who arrived at the Te Deum for her new nephew, Prince Oscar, in a dream of a dress in palest blue. The delicate lace embellishment on the hem and forming a mini Empire line was lovely and then some and helped make this a look to remember.
(photo kungahuset.se)

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Queen Mathilde of the Belgians chose this pretty pink dress for a visit to a military hospital and went straight to the top of the style stakes. It's delicate, it's dreamy. it's a total delight and it's a real reminder that spring really is just around the corner. And that's before we even begin to think about just how fabulous those gold accessories are.

Princess Marie of Denmark visited the Faroe Islands this week and wore a mushroom coloured coat that we need to see a lot more often. It was soft and structured, classic and classy and looked just perfect for the occasion. 
(photo kongehuset.dk)

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Is grey really a pastel shade? Let's say yes so we can see this coat chosen by Queen Letizia at the end of the week one more time. It's loose, it's light, it's on trend and then some. It might not be pure pastel but it is pure style.

Crown Princess Mary also hit the right light note this week in a dream of a cream coat worn during her trip to Qatar. From the edging to the texture to the colour, this is a great look that hopefully will make more appearances as the weather gets warmer and the days get longer. The Royal Wardrobe has a spring in its step this week. (photo kongehuset.dk)