A decade of royal love: Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia celebrate anniversary with unseen wedding photos

On the eve of their tenth wedding anniversary, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia of Sweden surprised royal fans with a heartwarming tribute to their fairytale wedding. The royal couple shared never-before-seen images from their 2015 nuptials, offering a rare and intimate glimpse into one of Sweden’s most memorable royal celebrations. As they prepare to christen their youngest child, Princess Ines, the timing couldn’t be more meaningful.

A dreamy royal wedding revisited

As June 13 marks ten years since Prince Carl Philip of Sweden married Sofia Hellqvist, now Princess Sofia, the couple took to Instagram to celebrate the milestone by releasing a reel of previously unpublished photos from their special day. Set to Enya’s ethereal song “Athair Ar Neamh,” the video captures the essence of romance and elegance that defined their royal wedding at the Royal Chapel of the Royal Palace in Stockholm.

The montage begins with a candid black-and-white photo of the prince gazing lovingly at Sofia behind the scenes, followed by tender images of wedding details: her delicate veil, a close-up of her bouquet, and the couple kneeling at the altar. The imagery is a visual love letter to their wedding day—filled with soft florals in hues of pink and orange, stolen glances, and joyful kisses. The video closes with a glimpse of the reception, including their joint monogram illuminated beneath a grand chandelier—hinting at the opulence of a celebration that famously featured a performance by Avicii.

In their caption, the couple wrote: “Tomorrow we celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. On June 13, 2015 we got married. We are so grateful for the joy and warmth that met us that day and has continued throughout these ten years. Now we have four wonderful children and tomorrow we are christening our little Ines.”

A royal family built on love

Prince Carl Philip, 46, and Princess Sofia, 40, have built a life together that blends royal tradition with a modern approach to family. Their love story, which once made headlines due to Sofia’s background as a model and reality TV personality, has since become one of the monarchy’s most admired romances.

Over the past decade, the couple has welcomed four children: Prince Alexander, 9; Prince Gabriel, 7; Prince Julian, 4; and most recently, Princess Ines, born in February 2025. With each birth, the couple has shared milestones with the public in ways that maintain royal formality while still exuding warmth and relatability.

The christening of Princess Ines on the couple’s wedding anniversary adds a poetic touch to the celebration. It symbolizes not just the continuation of their personal journey but the deepening of their legacy within the Swedish royal family.

Princess Ines’ christening and royal godparents

Princess Ines will be christened at Drottningholm Palace Chapel on June 13, in a ceremony presided over by Bishop Johan Dalman and Chaplain Michael Bjerkhagen. The timing of the event, overlapping with Carl Philip and Sofia’s wedding anniversary, gives it added emotional resonance.

The Royal House of Sweden also released the names of the five godparents selected for Ines—a mix of family and close friends: Fredrik von der Esch, Claes Kockum, Sandrine Kockum, Tiara Larsson, and notably, Princess Estelle, the 13-year-old daughter of Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel. Estelle, second in line to the Swedish throne, shares a special bond with Carl Philip, who is one of her own godparents.

The choice to include Estelle highlights the closeness between the siblings’ families and reflects a common royal tradition: assigning multiple godparents to each child. As seen with the British royal family, children like Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis all have five or more godparents—underscoring the importance of building strong spiritual and familial support systems.

A modern monarchy anchored in tradition

Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia represent a refreshing blend of tradition and modernity within the Swedish royal family. Their relationship challenged expectations early on, but has since become emblematic of how royal life can evolve while still honoring its roots. Sofia, once in the spotlight for her unconventional background, has transformed into a devoted princess and mother, engaging in charitable work focused on mental health and cyberbullying through their foundation.

The couple’s openness, particularly through social media, has helped humanize the monarchy and brought a new sense of accessibility to royal milestones. By choosing to share unseen wedding photos and celebrate their daughter’s christening with the public, they strike a balance between regal dignity and genuine emotion.

As they mark ten years of marriage with a growing family and renewed purpose, Carl Philip and Sofia show that modern royalty can be both relatable and aspirational. Their story is one of enduring love, evolving roles, and a commitment to both each other and the nation they represent.

Looking ahead with grace and gratitude

As Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia step into their second decade of marriage, they do so with grace, gratitude, and a clear devotion to family. The celebration of their wedding anniversary alongside the baptism of their daughter is a fitting reminder of how far they’ve come—not only as a couple but as integral members of Sweden’s royal narrative.

Their journey, once under public scrutiny, has become one of the monarchy’s most beloved modern chapters. With four children, a solid partnership, and the affection of the Swedish people, they stand as a testament to what royal life can look like when it’s built on mutual respect, modern values, and love.