It’s the new-age fairytale that has re-written the royal history books!
If you thought Princess Mary and Prince Frederik of Denmark’s love story turned tradition on its head, then just wait until you hear Prince Carl and Princess Sofia’s tale.
After meeting through mutual friends Sweden’s Prince Carl Philip, Duke of Värmland, 42, has been with former glamour model and reality star Sofia Hellqvist, 36, since 2010.
While eyebrows were raised over Sofia’s former jobs, which include starring in the 2005 dating show Paradise Hotel and racy photo shoots, this pair prove that your past does not define your future.
Prince Carl and Princess Sofia’s modern love story is one for the ages.
(Getty)On June 13, 2015, the stunning couple tied the knot in Stockholm’s Royal Palace chapel in a lavish ceremony.
It marked the first time a normal Swedish citizen became a princess in over a hundred years, and Sofia has now inherited the title Princess Sofia of Sweden, Duchess of Värmland.
“It shows Sweden is a warm country with lots of love,” a proud Prince Carl Philip remarked on his wedding day.
Now, six years later their marriage is happier than ever as they’ve welcomed their third child, Prince Julian, to their family. He joins the couple’s two elder sons, Prince Alexander, five, and Prince Gabriel, three.
To celebrate the couple’s beautiful marriage, we’re reliving their sweetest moments through the years!
Meanwhile, Sofia Hellqvist was a reality star and glamour model who probably never dreamed she’d one day be a princess.
How far they’ve come! Once branded the “playboy Prince”, Prince Carl Philip of Sweden was pictured back in 2003 chatting to athlete Carolina Kluft.
In 2005, Sofia appeared as a contestant on the dating reality show Paradise Hotel. The premise of the series sees a group of singles holed up in a luxury hotel seeing who can last the longest. Watch Sofia on the show in the next slide. Gallery continues after the video!
Princess Sofia of Sweden before she was famous
The couple met through mutual friends in 2010 and announced their engagement in 2014, after four years of dating.
The glamorous pair are always dressed to impress and have become fashion icons since this photo was taken in 2015 at their pre-wedding dinner.
Prince Carl Philip, Duke of Värmland was one of Sweden’s most eligible bachelors until he wed Princess Sofia in 2015.
On June 13, 2015 the pair said “I do” in Stockholm’s Royal Palace chapel in a beautiful ceremony.
It marked the first time a Swedish citizen became a princess in over a hundred years. Relive the magic of their wedding in the next slide. Gallery continues after the video!
Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia’s fairytale romance
In April 2016, the couple welcomed their first son – Crown Prince Alexander Erik Hubertus Bertil of Sweden.
The Swedish royals took to parenthood with ease and simply adore their tiny Prince.
In June 2016, Prince Carl Philip, Princess Sofia and Prince Alexander made their first official outing as a family of three as they celebrated Sweden’s National Day in Stockholm.
And their bub well and truly stole the show!
On August 31, 2017 the couple welcomed their second child, another son they named Prince Gabriel Carl Walter, Duke of Dalarna.
Behind the scenes, Princess Sofia has kept to her “normal” roots and has completely embraced motherhood.
Third time’s a charm! In 2020, the royal couple announced they were expecting again.
Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia rounded out their family of five with the arrival of their third son, Prince Julian Herbert Folke, Duke of Halland, who was born on 26 March 2021.
There’s one thing we know for certain about this royal family – they have amazing genes!
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