Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia of Sweden have expanded their family with the birth of their fourth child, Princess Ines. Born on February 7, Princess Ines joins her siblings, Prince Alexander, eight, Prince Gabriel, seven, and Prince Julian, three. Holding the title of Duchess of Västerbotten, Princess Ines is eighth in line to the Swedish throne but does not carry the HRH style.
The royal couple recently shared a cherished family photograph featuring all four children for the first time. In the image, Princess Ines is nestled contently on her brother Gabriel's lap. The couple expressed their gratitude for the well-wishes they received with a heartfelt message.
"Big and warm thanks for all the nice congratulations to our little Ines."
Sweden's progressive parental leave policies allow parents a total of 480 days of paid leave, which can be shared or transferred to grandparents or family friends. Prince Carl Philip will soon conclude his portion of the leave and resume his royal duties on March 18. His schedule includes attending a foundation meeting at the Royal Palace in Stockholm, marking his official return to public engagements.
Prince Carl Philip's last public appearance was at a Te Deum church service held three days after Princess Ines's birth. His return to work highlights the evolving nature of parental roles within the Swedish royal family, as exemplified by Prince Daniel's precedent-setting paternity leave.
King Carl XVI Gustaf's 2019 decree limited royal titles within the household, granting them only to Crown Princess Victoria and her descendants. This decision aligns with Sweden's modern approach to royalty and has impacted how titles are distributed among the younger generations.
The royal couple shared their joy over their expanding family with a simple yet meaningful statement.
"It turned out to be a perfect little quartet."
