This past weekend, on June 8, the country of Sweden celebrated a fairytale royal wedding . . .
Princess Madeleine, 30, the youngest of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia’s three children, married London-born financier Chris O’Neill, 38, in Stockholm’s Royal Palace.
The couple met in New York City, where the princess had moved in 2010, following a broken engagement and a broken heart. Her first engagement, to Swedish attorney Jonas Bergstrom, was called off amid swirls of speculation that he had cheated on her.
Above, the Princess and her American banker beau announced their engagement in October 2012.
The bride wore Valentino, a popular royal favourite, who first dressed Princess Madeleine at the Nobel Prize Award Banquet in 2002 [above left], in a fashion coup that turned heads for altogether different reasons — the rose red, low-cut gown caused quite a stir at the time, and became known as “the Baywatch dress”, drawing many a gasp from guests and press alike for its provocative cut and fit.
Above, Drottningholm Palace, also the private residence of the Royal Family, where Princess Madeleine was born, and where the wedding took place.
The groom, a financier, is a partner and head of research at Noster Capital, a hedge fund with offices in London and New York.
The princess wore a lace gown designed by Valentino, who was among the many VIP guests in attendance, including royals from around the world, such as Princess Charlene of Monaco and England’s Prince Edward.
Above, the opulent splendour of the church inside Stockholm’s gilded royal palace, filled with Carrara marble and sweeping staircases.
The dress was an elegant creation of silk organdies and ivory Chantilly lace, featuring a full skirt and four-metre-long train.
The accompanying six-metre-long cathedral veil was covered with Chantilly lace flowers and edged with silk tulle, and was worn with a royal tiara decorated with fresh orange blossoms.
Princess Madeleine read her wedding vows in Swedish, while Mr O’Neil delivered his in English.
Above, Crown Princess Victoria & Prince Daniel
Above, the CEO of H&M and his wife, Leonie, were also in attendance
Above, Valentino and his partner, Giancarlo Giammetti
Above, Madeleine’s older sister, Crown Princess Victoria, with 1-year-old daughter, Princess Estelle, and husband Prince Daniel.
“Working with Princess Madeleine has just been so easy,” remarked Valentino. “She is a very lovely girl. She is modern, fun, full of energy and enthusiasm and she is so beautiful! It has been a pleasure and an honour.”
The design house was founded in 1959 by Valentino, who, after studying in Paris at the École des Beaux-Arts and the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, went on to apprentice for Jacques Fath and Balenciaga before starting his own label back in his home country of Italy.
During his career, Valentino designed for the crème de la crème of high society, considering Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Sophia Loren and Grace Kelly as clients and friends.
“His signature unapologetic romanticism is adored by fashion editors and celebrities alike. Not one to follow trends or even be intent on creating them, the label maintains its status as one of the most exclusive and unequivocally romantic of design houses.”
Both the princess & banker live in New York, where she works for the World Childhood Foundation, a non-profit group founded by her mother, and where they will both return following the wedding ceremony.
Mr. O’Neill will not hold a title after the wedding, electing to remain a private citizen and not be granted royal rank.
The royal guest list included the UK’s Earl and Countess of Wessex, Prince Edward and Sophie; Princess Takamado of Japan; and princes and princesses from Norway, Denmark, Luxembourg and Monaco.
Above, Princess Madeleine’s elder sister, Crown Princess Victoria, married her personal trainer Daniel Wesling in Stockholm three years ago.
Following the ceremony, there was a 21-gun salute, a cortège route for locals to view the new couple, a boat ride to Drottningholms Slott, and finally, a gala dinner hosted by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden.
{p.s.} will & kate’s love story // wedding // & all about tiaras
[images via : popsugar // the times // the royal correspondent // royalty speaking // rdujour // google // royalty of sweden // mail online // quote via the local // thanks, @simplysoignee!]