Crown Princess Victoria and her daughter, Princess Estelle, delighted Swedes (and others) last week, with their near identical looks. In a mesmerizing series of family portraits, they stole the show. At 13 years old, Princess Estelle is the second in-line to the Swedish throne. She’s taking cues from her mother, Crown Princess Victoria, who one day will become Queen herself.
Estelle, born Feb. 23, 2012, has always been the star of this show. She is the eldest daughter of Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel, who married in 2010. The young royal has a younger brother, Prince Oscar, born in 2016, further extending the family’s royal heritage. Behind the scenes, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia have done much to redefine and humanize the 1,000-year-old monarchy. They have fostered the new generation of royals.
One key moment in Swedish royal history came with an amendment to the 1810 Act of Succession in 1980. This amendment adopted absolute primogeniture, meaning that the eldest child would inherit the throne no matter their sex. Crown Princess Victoria had suddenly become heir apparent. This created an opportunity for her daughter Estelle to continue her legacy.
Princess Estelle’s public appearances often highlight her growing role within the royal family. In 2020, at the age of eight, she participated in a family photoshoot at Solliden Palace, showcasing her youthful charm and poise. As she grows up, Estelle’s attendance at royal functions will likely ramp up, introducing her to her future responsibilities.
The royal family enjoys their summer holidays on the picturesque island of Öland, where Crown Princess Victoria celebrates her birthday each year. This unique celebration, called Victoriadagen, has blossomed into a popular annual celebration for the family and public alike. It provides an intimate look at their personal lives, further strengthening the bond between the Swedish monarchy and its subjects.
Most importantly, Princess Estelle has deeply rooted familial connections outside of her immediate family. Her grand-uncle was Prince Bertil, which might serve to deepen her royal pedigree. As Estelle gets older, she will take on the full mantle of the Swedish monarchy’s values and traditions. Along the way, she will make her own distinctive mark—her identity—with pride.
