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There's a teenager in the Swedish Royal House! Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden's daughter, Princess Estelle, celebrated her 13th birthday on Sunday. The Swedish Royal Court commemorated the teen's milestone birthday with a series of new photos.
The images of the future Queen were taken ahead of her birthday, inside Prince Bertil's apartment at the Royal Palace. The Royal Court noted that photographer Kate Gabor, who took the new photos of the Princess, also captured the first picture of Estelle as a newborn. According to Royal Central, Kate said back then, “I can’t really say anything about it but I was given this very exciting assignment and I am very proud and very happy.”
Estelle posed for her new photos wearing a short sleeve sweater and matching skirt, with her hair styled down in soft waves. Alongside one of the images on Instagram, the Royal Court wrote (translated to English), "Happy 13th birthday, Princess Estelle! 🌸."
Estelle is the eldest of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia's grandchildren. Victoria and Daniel welcomed Estelle, their first child, on Feb. 23, 2012 at Karolinska Hospital in Solna. She is currently second in line to the Swedish throne, after her mother. Victoria and Daniel are also parents to son Prince Oscar, who turns 9 on March 2.
The Swedish royal family recently welcomed a new member. Crown Princess Victoria's brother Prince Carl Philip and his wife, Princess Sofia, became parents for the fourth time earlier this month. The Prince Couple's daughter Princess Ines was born on Feb. 7 at Danderyd Hospital in Stockholm. The newborn Princess is the King and Queen's ninth grandchild.
While Princess Estelle and her younger brother Prince Oscar are part of the Royal House, their royal cousins—Princess Leonore, Prince Nicolas, Princess Adrienne, Prince Alexander, Prince Gabriel, Prince Julian and Princess Ines—are not. In 2019, the King of Sweden removed his son Prince Carl Philip and daughter Princess Madeleine's respective children from the Royal House. In a statement at the time, the Marshal of the Realm said (translated to English), "HM The King has decided on changes in the Royal Household. The purpose of these changes is to clarify which persons within the Royal Family can be expected to be called upon for such official assignments that are incumbent on the Head of State or are related to the office of Head of State," adding, "HM The King's decision means that the children of HRH Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia, as well as the children of HRH Princess Madeleine and Mr Christopher O'Neill, will no longer belong to the Royal House."