A Swedish prince is baptized

H.R.H. Prince Nicolas Paul Gustaf was baptized on Sunday, October 11 in the Drottingholm Palace chapel. 

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  Prince Nicolas's christening day, October 11, 2015 with Princess Madeleine, Christopher O’Neill, and Princess Leonore. Photo Mattias Edwall, Kungahuset.

• H.R.H. Prince Nicolas Paul Gustaf was baptized on Sunday, October 11, 2015 in a splendid service attended by about 150 people in the Drottingholm Palace chapel.

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  H.R.H Princess Madeleine, Mr. Christopher O’Neill, H.R.H. Prince Nicolas at Solliden Palace July 2015. Photo Brigitte Grenfeldt, The Royal Court, Sweden

• Prince Nicolas, who will be known as the Duke of Ångermanland, was born June 15 to Princess Madeleine and Christopher O'Neill. He is sixth in line to the Swedish throne after his sister, Princess Leonore; their mother is fourth.

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  Mr. Christopher O’Neill, H.R.H. Prince Nicolas, Solliden Palace July 2015. Photo Brigitte Grenfeldt, The Royal Court, Sweden

• The baptism of royal Swedes has for centuries been considered a state ceremony, welcoming new Christians into the state church, according to the Order of the Swedish Church. In other royal traditions, the ceremony is often private, as new Christians are baptized into the worldwide Church. Archbishop Antje Jackelén officiated the ceremony, and six godparents, several government officials and other friends and family, including sister Leonore and cousin Estelle, were also there.

• The baptismal gown was first worn by the prince’s great grandfather, Gustaf Adolf, in 1906 — now a total of 14 babies in four generations have worn it. And Nicolas is the second generation of a tradition started by his maternal grandparents: His baptismal water was obtained from a spring on Öland, an adaptation from a previous royal tradition that used water from the Jordan River. Following the service, Prince Nicolas’ parents and both sets of grandparents welcomed guests to a luncheon reception in Karl XI’s Gallery at Drottnignholm.