Love has hit Denmark, with Prince Christian inviting new girlfriend Princess Maria Chiara di Borbone-Two Sicilies to stay with him at his family home.
According to palace insiders, Italian beauty Chiara, 18, visited Christian, 17, and his family in June and even bravely took the next step, meeting his grandmother Queen Margrethe, 83, in a move that has royal insiders whispering that a royal engagement could be next!
âChiara was presented to Queen Margrethe over the summer and they all took tea together,â says an insider of It girl Chiara, who speaks six languages and lives a glamorous life in Europe.
âChristian knew theyâd hit it off and was thrilled that she invited them to tea. Itâs an informal stamp of approval for Chiara because Margrethe doesnât take tea with just anyone,â says the source.
âHowever, she does take very seriously her lineage and takes it as her duty to invest time in Christianâs happiness and his choice of partner.â
Smitten Chiara confirmed the trip was a success, telling the Danish press, âWe have a beautiful friendship and have a lot of fun together.â Christian and Chiara have known each other since they were children and are close family friends â Chiaraâs father, Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro, is godfather to Christianâs little sister Josephine.
âChiara was in awe of the Queen â itâs been a dream of hers to meet such an iconic female ruler and sheâs been practising her curtsies for months. She did very well and made a good impression on Queen Margrethe.â
âChristianâs relieved â and so is his mum, Princess Mary, who has relied on her mother-in-lawâs advice on what it takes to be a Queen from day one.â
News of Chiaraâs visit to the palace comes just days after she was spotted enjoying ice-cream with the future King of Denmark in St Tropez. According to sources, Christian is completely smitten by Chiara. This development between the lovebirds has many expecting it wonât be long before the young Prince decides to pop the question.
âThereâs no doubt an engagement announcement is on the horizon and the palace is preparing accordingly,â says one insider.
With the pairâs families being good friends, Prince Frederik and Princess Mary are already very fond of their sonâs girlfriend.
âBoth Mary and Fred think sheâs wonderful and brings out the best in their son, but theyâre worried about their ages,â says a source.
âMary wants them both to experience the world before buckling down to a very serious partnership.â