Saturday 8 June 2013

A Swedish Royal Wedding in Stockholm

Sealed with a kiss! Princess Madeleine of Sweden marries US banker in front of royal guests at fairytale wedding in Stockholm

  • Bride, 30, was stunning in a flowing Valentino gown with a glittering tiara and cathedral veil
  • Earl and Countess of Wessex and Princess Charlene of Monaco among royals in the congregation
  • Princess Madeleine, the fourth in line to Swedish throne, wed British-born Chris O'Neill in Stockholm's Royal Palace
Sweden's 'party princess' turned fairytale bride today as she married her U.S. banker beau watched by European royals and the cream of New York society.
Princess Madeleine, 30, the youngest of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia's three children, married British-born financier Chris O'Neill, 38, in Stockholm's Royal Palace today wearing a breathtaking Valentino wedding gown.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex and Princess Charlene of Monaco were among those looking on as the groom placed a tender kiss on Princess Madeleine's hand during today's ceremony.
Sealed with a kiss: Princess Madeleine of Sweden kisses her new husband, British-born financier Chris O'Neill, following their lavish wedding ceremony in Stockholm today
Sealed with a kiss: Princess Madeleine of Sweden kisses her new husband, British-born financier Chris O'Neill, following their lavish wedding ceremony in Stockholm today
Fairytale ceremony: American financier Christopher O'Neill kisses the hand of his bride Princess Madeleine of Sweden in Stockholm's Royal Chapel today
Fairytale ceremony: American financier Christopher O'Neill kisses the hand of his bride Princess Madeleine of Sweden in Stockholm's Royal Chapel today
Romance: British-born financier Mr O'Neill smiles as he places the wedding ring on Princess Madeleine's finger in the Royal Palace today
Romance: British-born financier Mr O'Neill smiles as he places the wedding ring on Princess Madeleine's finger in the Royal Palace today
Newlyweds: Princess Madeleine and her new husband Chris O'Neill looked the picture of happiness as they appeared on the balcony at the Royal Palace following today's ceremony
Newlyweds: Princess Madeleine and her new husband Chris O'Neill looked the picture of happiness as they appeared on the balcony at the Royal Palace following today's ceremony
Joy: The happy couple waved to the crowds gathered in the Swedish capital to wish Princess Madeleine and her groom well
Joy: The happy couple waved to the crowds gathered in the Swedish capital to wish Princess Madeleine and her groom well
Blue-blooded Europe mingled with Manhattan's elite and a sprinkling of pop aristocracy as the couple exchanged vows in the lavish ceremony.
Mr O'Neill, 38, appeared to be fighting back tears as the princess walked down the aisle with her father at the Royal Palace in the capital.
Among the high-profile guests in the chapel were Duran Duran's John Taylor, Prince Nikolaos of Greece, Karl-Johan Persson - the chief executive of fashion company Hennes & Mauritz (H&M), and Roxette stars Per Gessle and Marie Fredriksson.
Radiant: The royal bride turned to legendary couturier Valentino for her wedding gown, which featured silk organdies with ivory Chantilly lace
Radiant: The royal bride turned to legendary couturier Valentino for her wedding gown, which featured silk organdies, ivory Chantilly lace and a four-metre train
Joining the family: From right, Sweden's King Carl Gustaf, Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria with her baby daughter Princess Estelle, Prince Daniel and Prince Carl Philip look on as the couple exchange vows
Joining the family: From right, Sweden's King Carl Gustaf, Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria with her baby daughter Princess Estelle, Prince Daniel and Prince Carl Philip look on as the couple exchange vows
Man and wife: The newly married couple emerge from the chapel to wave to the crowds watched by a row of musicians
Man and wife: The newly married couple emerge from the chapel to wave to the crowds watched by a row of musicians
The couple met after Princess Madeleine fled to the U.S. in 2010 with a broken heart.
She crossed the Atlantic following the breakdown of her first engagement to Swedish attorney Jonas Bergstrom amid speculation that he had cheated on her.
    But the radiant princess - and fourth in line to the Swedish throne - got her happy ending in the Royal Palace today, watched by a glittering congregation.
    Madeleine's showstopping wedding gown - made from silk organdies with applications of ivory Chantilly lace - was created by master couturier Valentino.
    Small vertical pleats at the waist opened into a full skirt with a flowing, four-metre train.
    The princess' six-metre long cathedral veil was also made from silk organdies, edged with tulle and embellished with Chantilly lace flowers.
    Madeleine wore her hair swept back from her face in a simple yet elegant style.
    The low bun was held in place by her royal tiara, which was decorated with a delicate garland of fresh orange blossoms.
    The British Royal Family was represented by the Earl and Countess of Wessex today
    Princess Charlene of Monaco wore a floor length chocolate brown gown
    Elite guest list: The British Royal Family were represented by the Earl and Countess of Wessex, left, today, while Princess Charlene of Monaco was also in the pews
    Society wedding: Women in floor-length gowns and men dressed in white tie arrived at the Royal Chapel in Stockholm, Sweden, ahead of Princess Madeleine's wedding to New York banker Chris O'Neill
    Society wedding: Women in floor-length gowns and men dressed in white tie arrived at the Royal Chapel in Stockholm, Sweden, ahead of Princess Madeleine's wedding to New York banker Chris O'Neill
    Princess Theodora and Prince Philippos of Greece arrive for the ceremony
    Prince Nikolaos and Princess Tatiana of Greece
    Greek royals: Princess Theodora and Prince Philippos, left, and Princess Tatiana and Prince Nikolaos, all of Greece, were among the royals milling in the sunshine ahead of today's ceremony in the Swedish capital
    Anticipation: Karl-Johan Persson, CEO of the H&M chain of stores, and his wife Leonie were representing the fashion world at the society wedding today
    Anticipation: Karl-Johan Persson, CEO of the H&M chain of stores, and his wife Leonie were representing the fashion world at the society wedding today
    Guests enjoyed hymns in Swedish and English during the wedding, along with performances from Roxette singer Marie Fredriksson and Broadway's Phanton of the Opera star Peter Joback.
    Smiling Princess Madeleine read her wedding vows in Swedish, while Mr O'Neil delivered his in English.
    The financier is a partner and head of research at Noster Capital, a hedge fund with offices in London and New York.
    The couple announced their engagement in October 2012.
    Duran Duran's John Taylor and his wife Gela Nash attended Princess Madeleine's wedding
    Sofia Hellqvist, the girlfriend of Prince Carl Philip of Sweden, ahead of today's ceremony
    Eclectic mix: Duran Duran's John Taylor and his wife Gela Nash (left) added a sprinkling of pop aristocracy to a guest list made up of Europe's elite, including Sofia Hellqvist (right), the girlfriend of Prince Carl Philip of Sweden, who chose a simple yet striking lavender gown
    Sophie, Countess of Wessex, waves to the crowds in Stockholm
    Princess Charlene of Monaco attended today's ceremony
    Elegant: Sophie, Countess of Wessex, left, wore a floor length column dress in pale pink, while Charlene of Monaco wore a chocolate brown gown with a sheer shawl
    International arrivals: Princess Mary of Denmark, in a vibrant pink lace gown, accompanied by her husband Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark at Sweden's royal wedding
    International arrivals: Princess Mary of Denmark, in a vibrant pink lace gown, accompanied by her husband Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark at Sweden's royal wedding
    Queen Silvia of Sweden was escorted into the chapel by her son, Prince Carl Philip
    Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon of Norway arrive at the Royal Chapel for the wedding of Sweden's Princess Madeleine and Christopher O'Neill
    Happy day: Queen Silvia of Sweden was escorted into the ceremony by her son Prince Carl Philip, left, while Norwegian royals Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Hakkon smiled for the cameras as they filed into the chapel
    Their wedding celebrations began last night with a private dinner at the Grand Hotel in Stockholm hosted by the king and queen.
    Following today's ceremony a reception will be held at Stockholm's Drottningholm Palace, the royal family's private residence.
    The princess, who is also known as the Duchess of Halsingland and Gastrikland, is the fourth in line to the Swedish throne.
    She lives in New York where she works for the World Childhood Foundation, a non-profit group founded by her mother.
    Mr O'Neill will not hold a title after the wedding as he has elected to remain a private citizen and not be granted royal rank.
    Madeleine became known as Sweden's party princess during her early 20s, when she was frequently spotted at Stockholm's high-end nightclubs.
    Countless column inches were also devoted to Madeleine's stylish wardrobe and glamorous lifestyle.


    Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2337887/Princess-Madeleine-Sweden-weds-American-financier-beau-watched-audience-royal-guests.html#ixzz2Vdu8R9rD
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