Crowds just outside the Royal Palace in Stockholm. Photo: Cari Simmons

On Saturday, a nervous but proud Daniel Westling walked into the Stockholm cathedral (Storkyrkan) as a regular guy from the small town of Ockelbo in the Swedish province of Gästrikland. He left the church as Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland, with a beaming Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, his wife, holding his hand. During the warm and personal wedding ceremony, Daniel wiped away a tear as the vows were read and both he and his fiancée were visibly moved, causing many in the church to reach for a tissue.

About 1,200 people attended the wedding in the Stockholm Cathedral, Storkyrkan, and 500 of them continued on to the wedding banquet at the Royal Palace. Many of the glamorously attired guests arrived at the church in ordinary local buses reserved for the event, epitomizing the formal–folksy spirit of the wedding.

Many prominent guests

Among the guests were members of Norway’s and Denmark’s royal families, King Abdullah and Queen Rania of Jordan, Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan, Prince Albert II of Monaco accompanied by South African Charlene Wittstock, and British Queen Elizabeth II’s youngest son Edward, the Earl of Wessex with his wife Sophie.

Political party leaders and ministers were also in attendance, with the exception of Sweden’s Left Party opposition leader, Lars Ohly, who turned down the invitation saying he is opposed to the monarchy and would probably spend the weekend relaxing at his cottage instead.

Opposition to the monarchy has been growing, according to recent polls. Those in favor of it, often view the monarchy as a good way to attract foreign interest and represent Sweden abroad. If the turnout at the wedding is any indication of how things will develop in the future, then it looks as though the Swedish monarchy won’t be disappearing anytime soon.

Crowded cortege route

Outside the church and on the streets and quays along the 6.8 kilometer long cortege route flag-waving spectators gathered, hoping to catch a glimpse of the royal pair. Large screens carried live coverage of the events inside the church and a cheer erupted when the couple was pronounced husband and wife.

Threatening rain clouds drifted away as the prince and crown princess left the church in an open carriage to the strains of “Love is in the air” sung by an exuberant choir that had been entertaining crowds for most of the afternoon. Crown Princess Victoria wore an elegant, yet simple, pearl-white short-armed gown designed by Pär Engsheden. On her head were a lace veil and the same cameo-studded tiara that her mother, Queen Silvia, wore on her wedding day 36 years ago to the day.

“It’s a crazy atmosphere”

The German Kvöhe family waved the Swedish flag to celebrate the marriage between Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling. Photo: Cari Simmons

The Kvöhe family from Germany was excited about participating in the celebrations while on holiday in Sweden. “It’s really nice to be here and see this Swedish celebration,” Inamalie Kvöhe says. “It’s such a happy atmosphere and everyone is so relaxed. At our children’s kindergarten everybody is talking about this event and we have promised to send postcards.”

Claudia Alayon and Juan Cuenca traveled from Linköping to check out the festivities. Originally from Colombia, Alayon says she came to Stockholm to see how Swedes handle having a royal family. “Royalty is something new for us and it’s the first time we’ve seen anything like this with a royal family. It’s a crazy atmosphere today with lots of happy people here.”

Claudia Alayon and Juan Cuenca were curious about Swedish royalty. Photo: Cari Simmons

After the parade, the crown princess spoke to a sea of well-wishers, thanking the crowd for “giving me my prince.” It had been a long wait since 2002, when she first met her personal trainer Westling at his gym. Although Swedes were critical of Westling in the beginning, many have warmed up to having their crown princess marry a “man of the people.”

Gender-neutral throne

This was the first wedding of a female successor to the Swedish throne since Swedish order of succession was changed in 1980, enabling the monarchy’s eldest heir, regardless of gender, to inherit the throne. Born in 1977, Crown Princess Victoria is the eldest of three siblings, including Princess Madeleine and Prince Carl-Philip.

When the festivities die down, the newlyweds will settle into Haga Palace in Stockholm, built in 1802–04 as a royal residence. The current king of Sweden and his sisters were born and raised there, but from 1966 on, it was often empty, used only to accommodate guests of the Swedish government. With the prince and crown princess anxious to start a family, the palace is expected to come to life again.

Cari Simmons

Royal wedding fever is catchy. Cari Simmons and countless others caught it on the streets of Stockholm on June 19, 2010.

The author alone is responsible for the opinions expressed in this article.