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| Sweden royal wedding: Sofia Hellqvist becomes real-life princess | Sweden royal wedding: Sofia Hellqvist becomes real-life princess |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| Former model Sofia Hellqvist is marrying Sweden's Prince Carl Philip in a lavish ceremony in Stockholm on Saturday. | Former model Sofia Hellqvist is marrying Sweden's Prince Carl Philip in a lavish ceremony in Stockholm on Saturday. |
| It is the first time a Swedish commoner has become a princess of Sweden in centuries. | It is the first time a Swedish commoner has become a princess of Sweden in centuries. |
| "It's a real Cinderella story," says royal expert Roger Lundgren. | "It's a real Cinderella story," says royal expert Roger Lundgren. |
| But like the fairytale, this royal love story has not always run smoothly. | But like the fairytale, this royal love story has not always run smoothly. |
| News of the couple's relationship in 2010 caused quite a stir. | News of the couple's relationship in 2010 caused quite a stir. |
| Tattoos and topless photos | Tattoos and topless photos |
| The prince's new girlfriend was known for appearing in the popular Swedish reality show Paradise Hotel in 2005, which saw young, scantily-clad singles compete to stay in a luxury hotel the longest. | |
| She had also posed topless with a boa constrictor for the men's magazine Slitz. | She had also posed topless with a boa constrictor for the men's magazine Slitz. |
| And her tattoos and belly button piercing raised some eyebrows, with reports that the royal palace may have asked her to have them removed ahead of the weekend's wedding. | And her tattoos and belly button piercing raised some eyebrows, with reports that the royal palace may have asked her to have them removed ahead of the weekend's wedding. |
| "When Carl Philip and Sofia first met I think that many people were critical to her, because of her background and the fact that she had done those bikini-shots and had been part of a reality show," says Johanna Lejon, royals reporter for the newspaper Svensk Damtidning. | "When Carl Philip and Sofia first met I think that many people were critical to her, because of her background and the fact that she had done those bikini-shots and had been part of a reality show," says Johanna Lejon, royals reporter for the newspaper Svensk Damtidning. |
| Meanwhile Catarina Hurtig, the journalist who first broke the news of the couple's relationship, says: "At first there was quite a lot of fuss about her. | Meanwhile Catarina Hurtig, the journalist who first broke the news of the couple's relationship, says: "At first there was quite a lot of fuss about her. |
| "Perhaps it was quite normal [behaviour] for a Swedish teenager, but maybe not a very appropriate history when falling in love with the prince." | "Perhaps it was quite normal [behaviour] for a Swedish teenager, but maybe not a very appropriate history when falling in love with the prince." |
| But both experts say that attitudes towards her have changed over the years. | But both experts say that attitudes towards her have changed over the years. |
| "Sofia has shown... that she is not in this relationship for fortune and fame," says Johanna Lejon. | "Sofia has shown... that she is not in this relationship for fortune and fame," says Johanna Lejon. |
| Yoga instructor | Yoga instructor |
| Ms Hellqvist, 30, herself has said she does not regret anything about her past, although she would not make all the same decisions again. | Ms Hellqvist, 30, herself has said she does not regret anything about her past, although she would not make all the same decisions again. |
| Meanwhile, the royal palace has set about highlighting her other achievements. | Meanwhile, the royal palace has set about highlighting her other achievements. |
| We now know that after her stint on Paradise Hotel, Ms Hellqvist spent time in New York where she studied accounting and became a yoga instructor, helping to set up a yoga centre. | We now know that after her stint on Paradise Hotel, Ms Hellqvist spent time in New York where she studied accounting and became a yoga instructor, helping to set up a yoga centre. |
| In 2009, she worked as a volunteer in Ghana, and the next year she co-founded the organisation Project Playground, which helps vulnerable children and young people in South Africa. | In 2009, she worked as a volunteer in Ghana, and the next year she co-founded the organisation Project Playground, which helps vulnerable children and young people in South Africa. |
| The previous focus on the raunchier elements of her past caused a "big problem" for the royal house, says Catarina Hurtig. | The previous focus on the raunchier elements of her past caused a "big problem" for the royal house, says Catarina Hurtig. |
| So the palace turned its attention on transforming her image, she says. "Her charitable work has been great for the royal house to focus on." | So the palace turned its attention on transforming her image, she says. "Her charitable work has been great for the royal house to focus on." |
| A team of stylists also helped prepare her for her new life, replacing the fake tan with classic outfits and swept-back hairstyles. | A team of stylists also helped prepare her for her new life, replacing the fake tan with classic outfits and swept-back hairstyles. |
| Catarina Hurtig says they took inspiration from Prince Carl Philip's mother, Queen Silvia. | Catarina Hurtig says they took inspiration from Prince Carl Philip's mother, Queen Silvia. |
| Born in Germany, the queen also does not have blue blood, but has gone on to become popular among the Swedish public. | Born in Germany, the queen also does not have blue blood, but has gone on to become popular among the Swedish public. |
| Commoner | Commoner |
| It may be down to King Carl XVI Gustaf's own choice of spouse that Prince Carl Philip - who is third in line to the throne - has been able to wed who wants. | It may be down to King Carl XVI Gustaf's own choice of spouse that Prince Carl Philip - who is third in line to the throne - has been able to wed who wants. |
| The prince, 36, must get permission from the king to marry a commoner, and his great uncles lost their royal titles and succession rights when they went ahead with a wedding without it. | The prince, 36, must get permission from the king to marry a commoner, and his great uncles lost their royal titles and succession rights when they went ahead with a wedding without it. |
| King Carl XVI Gustaf has given each of his three children, who have got married within five years of each other, his blessing. | King Carl XVI Gustaf has given each of his three children, who have got married within five years of each other, his blessing. |
| Carl Philip's elder sister, Crown Princess Victoria - the next in line to the throne - married her personal trainer, Daniel Wesling, in Stockholm in 2010. | Carl Philip's elder sister, Crown Princess Victoria - the next in line to the throne - married her personal trainer, Daniel Wesling, in Stockholm in 2010. |
| And Princess Madeleine married US-British businessman Christopher O'Neill in 2013. | And Princess Madeleine married US-British businessman Christopher O'Neill in 2013. |
| Commoners who married royalty | Commoners who married royalty |
| Read more | Read more |
| Roger Lundgren, royal expert and editor of Kungliga Magazine, says that like in the UK, the younger royals have taken the spotlight from older members in recent years. | Roger Lundgren, royal expert and editor of Kungliga Magazine, says that like in the UK, the younger royals have taken the spotlight from older members in recent years. |
| And the glamorous couples will no doubt attract the cameras yet again this weekend. | And the glamorous couples will no doubt attract the cameras yet again this weekend. |
| Royal duties | Royal duties |
| Ms Hellqvist's past career choices are "not a problem" for the liberal Swedish public, Roger Lundgren says, and her experience with the media may well help her in her new role. | Ms Hellqvist's past career choices are "not a problem" for the liberal Swedish public, Roger Lundgren says, and her experience with the media may well help her in her new role. |
| Meanwhile Catarina Hurtig says Ms Hellqvist has also helped her future husband to be more comfortable with publicity. | Meanwhile Catarina Hurtig says Ms Hellqvist has also helped her future husband to be more comfortable with publicity. |
| Sweden's royal family | Sweden's royal family |
| The new princess is expected to devote most of her time fulfilling her royal duties once married, and many hope she will be a role model for future generations. | The new princess is expected to devote most of her time fulfilling her royal duties once married, and many hope she will be a role model for future generations. |
| "The royals have a lot of money and a lot of help with everything from cleaning their castles to taking care of babies, so they should be doing good things in the world and their country," says Catarina Hurtig. | "The royals have a lot of money and a lot of help with everything from cleaning their castles to taking care of babies, so they should be doing good things in the world and their country," says Catarina Hurtig. |
| Opinion polls have shown the Swedish royal family's popularity waning in recent years, particularly following a scandal in 2010 over claims the king had visited strip clubs. | Opinion polls have shown the Swedish royal family's popularity waning in recent years, particularly following a scandal in 2010 over claims the king had visited strip clubs. |
| But with as many as half a million people expected to line the streets of Stockholm on Saturday, the monarchy is still popular among many. | But with as many as half a million people expected to line the streets of Stockholm on Saturday, the monarchy is still popular among many. |
| Fans say Ms Hellqvist - along with her story - has played a big part in this, arguing that she has changed the way people in Sweden view them. | Fans say Ms Hellqvist - along with her story - has played a big part in this, arguing that she has changed the way people in Sweden view them. |
| "She is a small town girl and comes from a normal background, just like any of us," says Johanna Lejon. | "She is a small town girl and comes from a normal background, just like any of us," says Johanna Lejon. |
| "The fact that she is now becoming a member of the royal family says a lot about the Swedish king and the queen. They seem, and are, very open to change." | "The fact that she is now becoming a member of the royal family says a lot about the Swedish king and the queen. They seem, and are, very open to change." |