Five years ago on June 13, 2015, Prince Carl Philip married the love of his life, Sofia Hellqvist in the royal chapel in Stockholm. The two, who are now parents to Princes Gabriel and Alexander, met one fateful evening in 2010 when they were dining separately at a restaurant but their companions knew each other. Sofia was a model and student in New York City before joining the Swedish royal family. She even had a stint on reality show Paradise Hotel. Carl was one of the most eligible bachelors in his country and beyond before his relationship with Sofia.
As hundreds of their families and friends witnessed their love firsthand, there is no surprise that it has continued the duration of their marriage. To commemorate their special day, the prince took to Instagram to share some of his favorite photos along with a sweet message to his bride. “Sometimes every human being comes to a decisive choice; a choice that determines your whole future and which is about who you are and above all who you want to be,” he wrote in Swedish. “And often it requires courage. Courage not to choose the easy path just because it is easy, but courage to stay on the hard path because it is right. Today we celebrate five year wedding anniversary.”
Keep scrolling to see more from the day she became a princess in their own fairy tale royal wedding.
© Erika GerdemarkBefore becoming man and wife, Prince Carl Philip shared an image of him moments before taking to the altar. Ahead of his special day, Carl confessed to the Swedish channel TV 4, “I don’t think I knew the magic of love before I met Sofia. But ever since I met her, I’ve seen how love can change a person.”
© Erika GerdemarkEven princesses need to capture the moment with a selfie. Princess Sofia and her father snapped a photo together on her special day.
© GettyImagesThe cool couple had some top hits play during their wedding. During the ceremony, Coldplay and Rihanna’s Fix You and Umbrella were incorporated into the royal wedding score as King Carl Gustaf, Queen Silvia and his siblings with their spouses had a front row seat.
© GettyImagesWith all the access that comes with becoming a royal, Sofia could have chosen any wedding designer for her special day. She opted for a beautiful gown Swedish designer Ida Sjöstedt that featured intricate lace and a show-stopping train. The bride completed her look with an emerald and diamond tiara gifted to her from her in-laws, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia.
© GettyImagesPrincess Madeleine was heavily pregnant with her second child Prince Nicolas on her brother’s big day. The expectant royal attended her the nuptials with her husband Christopher O‘Neill and their daughter Princess Leonore.
© Mattias Edwall, The Royal Court, SwedenCrown Princess Victoria‘s daughter, Princess Estelle (second from the right), served as a bridesmaid at her uncle’s wedding.
© GettyImagesAs is tradition with most royal weddings, after saying “I do,” the couple stepped into a horse-drawn carriage for a procession through the streets of the Swedish capital.
© GettyImagesThe new husband and wife gave the crowd what they wanted –a kiss for all to see. Standing outside on the palace balcony, Carl planted a loving smooch on his bride.
© GettyImagesWith the eyes of the world on them, Prince Carl Philip also showed off his sense of humor as he made Sofia laugh while on the balcony.Carl addressed well-wishers who gathered outside of the royal palace, telling them, “You want to celebrate the love, and that shows that Sweden is a warm country.”
© GettyImagesDuring the reception, the newlyweds dined at the royal palace. Both King Carl and Sofia’s father Erik spoke at the reception. “Carl Philip, I won’t ask you to look after my daughter. She has always managed that fine herself,” Erik Hellqvist said. ”But I do ask you both to continue to take good care of each other.”
© GettyImagesThe party continued in and danced in Karl XI‘s Gallery. During the reception, the then 29-year-old had a surprise in place for her husband and had a song she wrote performed by Molly Sanden. Referencing her father‘s speech, she mentioned, “As my father said, I always walked my own way. This is from me to you. I love you!” Some of the lyrics included: ”Everything I am, everything I have, to my last breath I will always love you with every beat of my heart.”
© Mattias Edwall, The Royal Court, SwedenMany of the world’s royals joined the couple on their special day. The Earl and Countess of Wessex, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Queen Maxima and Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Mette-Marit of Norway made the trip to Sweden.
