HRH Prince Carl Philip

HRH Prince Carl Philip

HRH Prince Carl Philip. Photo: Linda Broström/The Royal Court of Sweden

CARL PHILIP Edmund Bertil, Prince of Sweden, Duke of Värmland, born on 13 May 1979.

Official duties

HRH Prince Carl Philip's official duties

HRH Prince Carl Philip performs a number of official assignments each year on behalf of HM The King. The Prince has a particularly close relationship with Värmland, the duchy he was assigned by the King when he was born, and often visits the county – in both official and private capacities.

Prince Carl Philip also participates every year in major state ceremonies, such as National Day celebrations and Veterans' Day, and at major celebrations within the Royal Court.

In addition to his official programme, Prince Carl Philip is also involved in the work of The Prince Couple's Foundation, an organisation that works with issues relating to dyslexia and online hate.

Since 2012, The Prince has run a design company in which he is engaged full-time when he is not carrying out royal duties.

Prince Carl Philip is a reserve officer in the Swedish Amphibious Corps, and holds the rank of Major.

Prince Carl Philip is a member of the Church of Sweden.

Biography

HRH Prince Carl Philip's biography

HRH Prince Carl Philip was born at the Royal Palace in Stockholm on 13 May 1979, and is the second child of Their Majesties The King and Queen.

The King and Queen and The Crown Princess with the newborn Prince.

The King and Queen and The Crown Princess with the newborn Prince. Photo: Claes Lewenhaupt

Following the birth, the newborn baby was witnessed by Speaker Henry Allard, Prime Minister Ola Ullsten, Marshal of the Realm Gunnar Lagergren and First Lady of the Court Countess Alice Trolle-Wachtmeister.

Prince Carl Philip was christened by Archbishop Olof Sundby in the Royal Chapel at the Royal Palace on 31 August 1979. His godparents were Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, Prince Bertil, Princess Birgitta and Prince Leopold of Bavaria.

The christening ceremony in the Royal Chapel at the Royal Palace was led by Archbishop Olof Sundby and Chief Court Chaplain Hans Åkerhielm.

The christening ceremony in the Royal Chapel at the Royal Palace was led by Archbishop Olof Sundby and Chief Court Chaplain Hans Åkerhielm. Photo: Jan Collsiöö/TT

When Prince Carl Philip was born, Sweden still had an agnatic order of succession, meaning that only males could inherit the throne, and he was therefore born as Sweden's Crown Prince, even though he had an older sister. Legislation on full cognatic succession was introduced in 1980, meaning that the oldest child inherits the throne, and Princess Victoria thereby became Crown Princess of Sweden while Crown Prince Carl Philip became Prince Carl Philip.

When he was born, The King decided to grant Prince Carl Philip the title Duke of Värmland.

The Royal Family celebrate Christmas at Drottningholm Palace, December 1981.

The Royal Family celebrate Christmas at Drottningholm Palace, December 1981. Photo: Stefan Lindblom/TT

The Prince was born at the Royal Palace in Stockholm's Gamla Stan, where The King and Queen lived at the time. In 1981, The King and Queen, The Crown Princess and Prince Carl Philip moved to Drottningholm Palace on Ekerö.

Schooling and confirmation

In 1984, Prince Carl Philip started preschool in Västerled Parish.

Prince Carl Philip starts school in August 1986.

Prince Carl Philip starts school in August 1986. Photo: Anders Holmström/TT

In autumn 1986, The Prince started the first grade at Smedslätt School in Bromma. He continued his primary schooling at Ålsten School, and began his secondary education at Enskilda Upper Secondary School in Stockholm in autumn 1992.

In summer 1994, Prince Carl Philip was confirmed at Vadstena Abbey following confirmation studies at Medevi Brunn.

Prince Carl Philip during his confirmation in Vadstena.

Prince Carl Philip during his confirmation in Vadstena. Photo: Janerik Henriksson/TT

In autumn 1994, The Prince began studying at the Kent private school in Connecticut, USA, where he spent two years.

The Prince studied the science upper secondary programme at Lundsberg School in Värmland. He graduated in spring 1999.

Coming of age

Prince Carl Philip came of age on 13 May 1997. During a ceremony in Queen Lovisa Ulrika's Dining Hall at the Royal Palace, The Prince was congratulated by the Speaker of the Riksdag and the Government. HM The King then conferred the insignia of the Order of the Seraphim on The Prince.

Prince Carl Philip came of age on 13 May 1997.

Prince Carl Philip came of age on 13 May 1997. Photo: Tobias Röstlund/TT

Military service

After completing his upper secondary studies, Prince Carl Philip carried out his military service at Vaxholm Amphibious Regiment, where he trained as a coxswain.

Prince Carl Philip completed his military service at KA 1 on Rindö, Vaxholm. He trained as a coxswain with the Home Guard's boat company. He is pictured here on a Combat Boat 90H.

Prince Carl Philip completed his military service at KA 1 on Rindö, Vaxholm. He trained as a coxswain with the Home Guard's boat company. He is pictured here on a Combat Boat 90H. Photo: Janerik Henriksson/TT

In 2001 and 2002, The Prince completed his officer's training with the Swedish Navy.

During his training, he took part in a voyage with the mine layer HMS Carlskrona. Prince Carl Philip graduated as a Second Lieutenant in December 2002. In summer 2004, The Prince completed his training as a Lieutenant in the reserve forces. In December 2007, he achieved the rank of Captain. In 2014, The Prince was promoted to the rank of Major.

Prince Carl Philip returns home with HMS Carlskrona after two months at sea. He was met by the rest of the Royal Family in Karlskrona.

Prince Carl Philip returns home with HMS Carlskrona after two months at sea. He was met by the rest of the Royal Family in Karlskrona. Photo: Stefan Lindblom/TT

Graphic design studies

Between 2004 and 2006, The Prince completed two years of full-time studies in graphic design at Forsberg School in Stockholm for trainee graphic designers, designers and art directors.

In 2006, The Prince continued his design studies in the United States, including an internship at the National Geographic Society in Washington DC.

After his studies, The Prince exhibited photographic works together with photographer Mattias Klum in the exhibition A Glimpse of Paradise, which was shown at the Gustavianum Museum in Uppsala and Waldemarsudde in Stockholm.

Prince Carl Philip's photographic exhibition A Glimpse of Paradise was shown at the Gustavianum Museum in Uppsala. Here, Crown Princess Victoria studies one of the Prince's images.

Prince Carl Philip's photographic exhibition A Glimpse of Paradise was shown at the Gustavianum Museum in Uppsala. Here, Crown Princess Victoria studies one of the Prince's images. Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT

In spring 2007, The Prince continued his studies at the Rhode Island School of Design in the US.

Further studies

In autumn 2007, The Prince began his studies at the Swedish Defence University in Stockholm. He continued his military training the following spring while studying business administration.

Degree in agriculture

Prince Carl Philip studied agriculture and forestry in autumn 2008, gaining work experience at locations including the Stenhammar Estate. From 2009 to 2012,The Prince trained as an agriculturalist at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Alnarp, Skåne. The Prince received his master's degree in January 2012.

Prince Carl Philip and Miss Sofia Hellqvist hold a press conference at which they announce their engagement.

Prince Carl Philip and Miss Sofia Hellqvist hold a press conference at which they announce their engagement. Photo: The Royal Court of Sweden

Family

The engagement between HRH Prince Carl Philip and Miss Sofia Hellqvist was announced on 27 June 2014. The wedding ceremony took place in the Royal Chapel on 13 June 2015.

Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia's first child, Prince Alexander, was born in 2016. Their second child, Prince Gabriel, was born in 2017, followed by their third son, Prince Julian, in 2021.

Interests and commitments

HRH Prince Carl Philip's personal interests and commitments

HRH Prince Carl Philip has long been interested in art and design. He is also keen on motorsports, and competes in motor racing.

Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia's Foundation

Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia's Foundation was established to mark the wedding of HRH Prince Carl Philip and Miss Sofia Hellqvist. The foundation focuses on issues relating to safer everyday online life for young people and greater respect for and understanding of people with dyslexia.

In September 2016, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia's Foundation hosted a symposium at the Royal Palace. The theme was ”How we want adults to talk with us about the internet”.

In September 2016, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia's Foundation hosted a symposium at the Royal Palace. The theme was "How we want adults to talk with us about the internet". Photo: The Royal Court of Sweden

Design and art

Prince Carl Philip has a deep interest in art, design and industrial design, and is a member of the board of the Friends of the National Museum. Since 2012, The Prince has also run a design company together with a business partner.

Sport and motor racing

The Prince has a keen interest in sport, and his annual programme includes attending the Swedish Sports Gala and Rally Sweden. The Prince also presents the Prince Carl Philip Racing Cup each year to promising young karting competitors.

Prince Carl Philip presents the award for participating in the Cadetti RT training race for children at a karting competition at GTR Motor Park in Eskilstuna.

Prince Carl Philip presents the award for participating in the Cadetti RT training race for children at a karting competition at GTR Motor Park in Eskilstuna. Photo: Stina Stjernkvist/TT

Gastronomy

Prince Carl Philip also has a strong commitment to Swedish cuisine. The Prince is patron of the Swedish Bocuse d'Or Academy and the Chef of the Year award, for which The Prince is a member of the jury.

Chef of the Year finals 2020.

Chef of the Year finals 2020. Photo: Fredrik Persson/TT

Personal interests

Prince Carl Philip has competed in motor racing since 2013.

During the winter, The Prince likes to ski and has participated in the marathon Vasaloppet ski race, the Skejtvasan event and the Stafettvasan relay ski race.

The Vasaloppet ski race, 2019.

The Vasaloppet ski race, 2019. Photo: Ulf Palm/TT

The Prince enjoys spending time in nature. He has been a keen hunter since his youth, and participates in hunts annually.

In his free time, The Prince and his family enjoy visiting their holiday cottage in Södermanland. Part of the summer is traditionally spent with the rest of the Royal Family at Solliden on Öland.

The Prince through the years

Symbols

Prince Carl Philip's crown

Prince Karls (XIII) crown, made for Gustav III:s coronation 1772 by Johan Adam Marcklin.

Prince Carl Philip's seraphim shield

HRH Prince Carl Philip's seraphim shield, made by royal coat of arms painter Leif Ericsson.

Prince Carl Philip's monogram

HRH Prince Carl Philip's monogram and The Prince Couple's joint monogram.

Orders

HRH Prince Carl Philip's orders

List of HRH Prince Carl Philip's foreign order holdings.

Federal Republic of Brazil

  • The Order of Rio Branco, Grand Cross

Republic of Bulgaria

  • The Order of Stara Planina, Grand Officer

Republic of Chile

  • The Order of Merit, Grand Cross

Republic of Estonia

  • The Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, 1st Class

Republic of Finland

  • The Order of the White Rose, Grand Cross

Republic of France

  • The Legion of Honour, Grand Officier

Federal Republic of Germany

  • The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, Grand Cross

Republic of Greece

  • The Order of Honor, Grand Cross

Republic of Iceland

  • The Order of the Falcon, Grand Cross

Republic of Italy

  • The Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, Grand Cross

Japan

  • The Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, Grand Cordon

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

  • The Order of the Star of Jordan, Grand Cordon

Republic of Latvia

  • The Order of the Three Stars, Grand Officer

Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

  • The Order of Civil and Military Merit of Adolph of Nassau, Grand Cross with Swords

Malaysia

  • The Order of the Crown, Honorary Commander

Kingdom of Netherlands

  • Order of the Crown, Grand Cross

Kingdom of Norway

  • The Royal Norwegian Order of St Olav, Grand Cross

Republic of Romania

  • The National Order of Faithful Service, Grand Cross

Kingdom of Spain

  • The Order of Civil Merit, Grand Cross

Prince Carl Philip's recent speeches