Engagement of Prince Carl Philip and Sofia Hellqvist: June 27, 2014

[Kit]

I think I will have to watch the whole engagement video cause the small clip I have seen yesterday on TV actually made me feel a bit uncomfortable. Sofia was gesticulating a lot to show her ring to the press and demonstrating with her hands how much she loved CP accompanied with some body moves. It was a bit bizarre to say the least.

 

[Marengo]

Further discussions about royals marrying non-royals/nobles/royals can be posted here.

 

[Dman]

It's a beautiful thing to see two people who are in love and want to take that big step into the future with each other. They most likely want to start a family and I'm happy for them. Must make The King & Queen proud to see all their children happily marrying off and starting families of their own.

I wish Carl Philip & Sofia all the blessings in the world. I just hope people will give Sofia a chance and enough room to carve out her royal within the royal family. It's probably going to take some time for her to find her feet within the Swedish Monarchy but she seems to have the confidence to move forward despite what others may think of her.

 

[suztav]

A few thoughts:

1.) the whole I proposed this morning is total B.S. -- it's obvious that this has been in the works for quite some time given the fact that it involved approval from both the King and the government -- UNLESS, she wasn't officially given the ring and the "ok" until this morning because there was some type of government investigation into her background. Frankly, I think the latter is highly unlikely because her activities are pretty well known
2.) I think the King will never get over the fact that Carl Philip is no the Crown Prince and has spoiled him and allowed him to do whatever he wants
3.) The balcony scene is totally out-of-whack for the third in line to the throne. I don't even remember Victoria and Daniel having the balcony moment
4.) Any thoughts on whether she will have her more visible tattoos removed?
5.) She needs to have some dental work -- really!
6.) I don't condone her past activities -- but, I think she deserves a chance to redeems herself. After all, it seems that everyone (or just about everyone) now accept Mette Marit who married into the Norwegian royal family as an unwed mother (just when we thought it couldn't get any worse!)

 

[RoyalNight]

Congrats to the couple!

I can't wait for the wedding and future possible children

I hope to see CP Victoria with a baby bump on her brother's wedding

 

[AdmirerUS]

Well, I congratulate them on their engagement and look forward to another Swedish royal wedding, which is always a fun and joyous occasion. I have googled the bride to be and found, thankfully, most of the photos of her fully clothed and looking very nice. Regrettably, there are more photos of her in a swimming costume than there are of Carl Philip....

I would only add that I will brace myself for when Prince Harry gets engaged, I have a feeling he and Carl Philip are quite similar in many ways.

Yes, indeed not all royals are born equal, much less the same. And hurrah for that. If everyone were scandalous, or everyone were meek, life would be so dull.
Anyway, they seem happy and so I am happy for them. I hope their life is wonderful together.

 

[Anne2]

The timing of the announcement reflects the tactics : "if you have some unpopular news to announce, do it during the holiday period!" People are either on holiday or preparing for it...therefore less attention for news.

The lack of popularity of Daniel, in his early days as boy friend to Victoria, and of Sofia are sometimes compared, however unduly in my view, since in the case of Daniel it was based on far less objective reasons. Personally I feel however that Daniel could have avoided a large part of criticism, if he had adopted a more neutral look and dress code right since he first appearances on the side of Victoria, instead of his sport look not appealing to everyone.

Some comments go into comparisons of the respective engagement announcements; I think it should also be judged at the light of the period of the year when they took place: only summer months are ok for meetings with the press in gardens in Sweden, in the case of V&D it was February and M&Chris in November if I remember well. It can also be the case that Chris wanted it to be as private as possible, therefore the video.

I don't think that the presence of the King & Queen on Friday is a sign of any preference of them towards CPh.

The next question is what title SOfia will get. I assume the K&Q and the Court will take their decision after the year of "observation" ahead, both from the perspective of the attitude of Sofia, and persisting negative comments in the press etc

I don't think there will be any comments from Victoria since she has no official activity planned in the short-term future until her birthday celebration, so no opportunity to meet the press. According to the section on V&D, they were not in Stockholm on Friday, so they did not participate in any célébrations? safer for them??

 

[Hans-Rickard]

My biggest congratulations to the beautiful couple I'm sure they wedding will be somewhere in Stockholm and it will be a large one. Not sure about how many royals will be there. At least the scandinavian royals will be invited as they are all very close to the Norwegian RF and QMII of Denmark is one of his godparents.


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[Jonathan]

I always thought he was a bit dim witted so she is a good choice. Lets hope Victoria has loads of babies.

 

[Moonmaiden23]

I think I will have to watch the whole engagement video cause the small clip I have seen yesterday on TV actually made me feel a bit uncomfortable. Sofia was gesticulating a lot to show her ring to the press and demonstrating with her hands how much she loved CP accompanied with some body moves. It was a bit bizarre to say the least.

Her behavior reminded me of a game show contestant on American television's "The Price is Right" when they have won a new car or refrigerator....come on down!!

Maybe in the year leading up to the wedding she will begin to understand the meaning of poise, and that since she isn't a Paradise Hotel starlet anymore she needn't play to cameras like one. It hasn't happened in the four years she's been with Carl-Philip, but now she is engaged to him perhaps someone will have a talk with her.

The king and queen both looked like they were in physical pain. I almost felt sorry for them.

 

[Lee-Z]

I guess it could have been worse... she could have used the infamous "tihi" from Madeleine's engagement video
Know of a couple of internet forums that would have exploded

 

[Icea]

Her behavior reminded me of a game show contestant on American television's "The Price is Right" when they have won a new car or refrigerator....come on down!!

Maybe in the year leading up to the wedding she will begin to understand the meaning of poise, and that since she isn't a Paradise Hotel starlet anymore she needn't play to cameras like one. It hasn't happened in the four years she's been with Carl-Philip, but now she is engaged to him perhaps someone will have a talk with her.

The king and queen both looked like they were in physical pain. I almost felt sorry for them.

I think the ring flaunting was mostly the press's fault though, they all kept asking for her to show the ring and considering they were standing around them in a half circle (and only about half a meter away, or so it seemed!) she had to hold her hand up a really long while. They should've had a bit more distance to the photographers, then she could've just held her hand up and everyone could've gotten the pictures they wanted fairly easy.

 

[Lady Nimue]

GREAT post Lady Nimue, you have really thought this through!

Thank you, my friend.

Just wanted to post this picture. Beside's Queen Silvia's beautiful dress - and being able to watch an elegant woman - look at Carl Gustav. How anyone can see anything 'pleased' in him concerning what he is watching i don't know. Just looking at him and my nerves get on edge.

LINK: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vorMXLyckAo/U62gmnN0DmI/AAAAAAABapg/jBkL5zObYPo/s1600/1200+(4).jpg

BTW - watch the video. It appears that the PR person was ending the interview with the couple - and to emphasize that fact, the King and Queen were asked to hold back to answer some questions. However, Sofia continued to engage the press while the King and Queen were being interviewed, declining to go in - hence the strain we see in the King and Queen (in the video) because of what's going on off to the side.

Also, there were points in the couple's interview when Sofia and Carl Philip were answering different questions at the same time. At no time did Sofia defer to Carl Philip - as she didn't defer to the King and Queen. Interesting in itself.

All very interesting - but like a train wreck - uncomfortable to watch. I wish them well - of course one does. Anything really untoward will sort itself out in the end. I hope I am wrong. I hope all of us who see the problem are wrong - and those who see all sweetness and light and a very misunderstood lady - win the day - and it's a 'happy ever after' after all. They will make very pretty babies. She is a physically beautiful woman.

 

[amaryllus]

I hope they are happy, I really do....but I hate to see the family dragged through the mud in a few years by a real scandal.A leopard doesn't change their spot's that easy. He might be enamored and wearing rose colored glasses now but can that last I wonder?

 

[Lee-Z]

I hope they are happy, I really do....but I hate to see the family dragged through the mud in a few years by a real scandal.

At least K.Carl Gustav will be glad that his stripclub-scandal from a couple of years ago isn't real

 

[HRHHermione]

I hope they are happy, I really do....but I hate to see the family dragged through the mud in a few years by a real scandal.A leopard doesn't change their spot's that easy. He might be enamored and wearing rose colored glasses now but can that last I wonder?

They've been dating for four years.


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[amaryllus]

How blunt. Charming.

She caught her a prince. Woo hoo.

Several generation's of real ladies, in very sense, who wore that tiara are spinning in their graves right now. What a farce this is..

 

[JR76]

They only got engagement this morning? I wonder why there was such a rush to announce it. No wonder the disorder.

My cousins in Sweden do not like Sofia. They think her past is too undignified to be a princess. They also did not like Daniel at first (although not as much as Sofia), but they do like him now. They are lukewarm on the king, like the Queen and very much like Victoria. I don't know how representative their views are.

I would say your cousins opinion on the royal family is quite representative for what most of us swedes think about them. Daniel is getting more and more popular, the Queen is well liked and respected (but her accent and "unnatural" appearance is the butt of jokes), the King is accepted but not respected at all. Viktoria on the other hand is both popular and respected (even by many republicans) and I would even go as far as say that she's loved by a big part of the population. Madeleine isn't very popular and C-P... well he hasn't really done that much to make people care about him


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[AdmirerUS]

I always thought he was a bit dim witted so she is a good choice. Lets hope Victoria has loads of babies.

All she needs is one. And she has one. As if more Victoria-babies can somehow compensate for what you see as her brother-and-future-wife's inadequacies.

 

[amaryllus]

It's not like she'll be queen barring a tragedy....if Victoria has more that's great but as long as she keep‘s her clothes on and does not take attention away from Victoria and her family by attention seeking like she seems to enjoy it's not that bad.

But can she stay out of the limelight is my question?

 

[MARG]

that is,If you think soft porn princesses are great representatives of a country....

Ouch!

As to Sophia? Well he seems to love her and she seems to love him and it's not as if everyone hadn't been expecting it to happen. That the announcement was handled with such lack of finesse is merely indicative of the SRF Press Office usual, hamfisted lack of professionalism which could be a problem because, if this thread is anything to go on, there are some stormy waters ahead.

 

[Lady Nimue]

I've seen one or two comments about CG's apparent unhappiness in the pictures/video, but this rather misses the point that he never looks anything other than miserable as sin. He always looks as if someone's just pinched his last cookie.

And I do love him for it. in a world of false smiles and 'playing the game' - he doesn't.

That was me. Or I was one of the mentioners.

Point taken. Which raises the question how anyone can claim he's happy about the match. A measure of clairvoyance present that is impressive.

 

[Mbruno]

And I do love him for it. in a world of false smiles and 'playing the game' - he doesn't.

That was me. Or I was one of the mentioners.

Point taken. Which raises the question how anyone can claim he's happy about the match. A measure of clairvoyance present that is impressive.

He gave his consent to the marriage, so he can't really complain about it, can he ? If the King were really strongly against this union, he could have put a choice to CP between marrying Sofia or losing his title and place in the Swedish royal house. Although I can't tell for sure, I suspect CP would have at least thought twice, considering that, apart from being a prince of Sweden, he doesn't have that much going for him in terms of career prospects.

 

[amaryllus]

Maybe he think's abdication is not such a bad idea but can't or won't take such a big step or put it on Victoria right now so he'll glower and put up with his cosseted children.

Not any worse than killers and mafia connected people as representatives of a country

As I understand it he visited a strip club and had a friend who got involved in Mafia matters deeply...he said he was no longer involved with the guy. A lot of unsubstantiated stuff was written in a trashy tell by all accounts an exhibitionist who set out for fame and sold her body to get it.

 

[LadyFinn]

On the cover of Expressen
Göran Hägg's attack against Sofia and Carl Philip's wedding: A catastrophe
http://z.cdn-expressen.se/images/2014/06/29/a835519730ae49d28c89598faaf2bb44/502@70.jpg

 

[Minea]

Congratulations to the happy couple! Just watched the press conference. To me Sofia seemed a bit nervous, but she was well spoken, looked absolutely radiant and came across as a warm and bubbly person. Carl Philip has gained more self confidence with Sofia, and he also seemed very happy and relaxed. Nice gesture from the king and the queen to show their support so strongly. And what a gorgeous ring, I want that!

Here's a lovely article speculating their future: Experten: ”Sofia kommer att bli en makalöst populär prinsessa” | Nyheter | Aftonbladet The expert: "Sofia will become an incredibly popular princess" Let's hope he's right!

 

[EmmaNL]

Congrats to the couple!

I can't wait for the wedding and future possible children

I hope to see CP Victoria with a baby bump on her brother's wedding

Me too! I really hope so!

Congrats to the couple! Hopefully Sofia can spread her wings in the Royal Family by doing good work for charities.
She should remove her tattoos and she should do something with that hair (this loose hair doesn't look very good on her, IMO). However, when she is a good wife for CP, it doesn't matter what she did in the past, how she looks or whatever, if they are truely happy, it's good for me.

 

[Muhler]

I watched the interview with CP&S here lasting some twelve minutes until the King and Queen came on. Prince Carl Philip: "I proposed at a secret place" | Royalista

Despite my reservations about Sofia, which I still maintain, I tried to look at the interview as unbiased as possible.

It came across as positive.
Sofia left an impression of being very happy, giddy and as such a little girly, while CP was more reserved or perhaps had more routine.
She didn't say anything silly.
The mistake was perhaps that they stood too close to the press, which meant that the cameraangles were shifting and unsteady and combined with CP&S physically having to turn in order to face whomever was asking, it left a messy impression.
Had the setting been more organised I believe the general impression would have been better and Sofia would have had to pose with engagement ring so much. (I know that annoyed some).

That the proposal took place the same morning may not be implausible. The arrangements and okaying in regards to the Riksdag and Regent Couple could have already been in place so that Sofia was simply surprised.

Conclusion: CP&S did fine, the PR handling was too improvised.

ADDED: I noticed someone else who said something about Eccentricity not being uncommon among royals and that Sofia might be seen as such, an eccentric figure.
I don't agree. In our day and age, where appearance counts for a lot, eccentricity is a luxury in royal families that are generally popular and resected. In such family the odd excentric family member may be seen as refreshing and even endearing. The SRF at present do not have that luxury.

 

[gemini85]

I hope to see CP Victoria with a baby bump on her brother's wedding

It would be lovely
My congratulations to the couple.A marriage is always a beautiful news.
I don't like her,to me it seems there's something off with her I don't know what,it's just a feeling.
Anyway she is very pretty girl and seems to make the Prince happy so my best wishes to them.

I was looking for a HQ photo of the ring,didn't find it but I came across in these two blogs.
This one Princesses' lives: Prince Carl Philip and Sofia Hellqvist are engaged! have images in a pretty good quality.

 

[principessa]

Congratulations to Carl Philip and Sofia! I am very looking forward to the wedding and I hope their marriage will be blessed with love!