HRH Princess Madeleine

HRH Princess Madeleine

HRH Princess Madeleine. Photo: Linda Broström/The Royal Court of Sweden

MADELEINE Thérèse Amelie Josephine, Princess of Sweden, Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland, born on 10 June 1982.

Official duties

HRH Princess Madeleine's official duties

HRH Princess Madeleine's public programme is limited. The Princess is involved in a number of foundations. In addition, Her Royal Highness carries out engagements as determined by HM The King.

When the opportunity arises, Princess Madeleine attends celebrations within the Royal House as well as other events as determined by HM The King.

The Princess is Vice Honorary Chair of World Childhood Foundation since December 2021.

Princess Madeleine is a member of the Church of Sweden.

Biography

HRH Princess Madeleine's biography

HRH Princess Madeleine was born at Drottningholm Palace on 10 June 1982, and is the third child of Their Majesties The King and Queen.

Princess Madeleine as a baby.

Princess Madeleine as a baby. Photo: Claes Lewenhaupt

Following her birth, the newborn princess was witnessed by Speaker Ingemund Bengtsson, Prime Minister Thorbjörn Fälldin, Acting Marshal of the Realm Sten Rudholm and First Lady of the Court Countess Alice Trolle-Wachtmeister.

When she was born, The King decided to grant his newborn daughter the title Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland.

Princess Madeleine was christened by Archbishop Olof Sundby in the Royal Chapel at the Royal Palace on 31 August 1982. Her godparents were Princess Benedikte of Denmark, Prince Andreas of Sachsen Coburg and Gotha, Princess Christina, Mrs Magnuson and Mr Walter L. Sommerlath.

Princess Madeleine was christened on 31 August 1982 in The Royal Chapel in The Royal Palace.

Princess Madeleine was christened on 31 August 1982 in The Royal Chapel in The Royal Palace. Photo: Jan Collsiöö/TT

Schooling, confirmation and coming of age

In 1985, Princess Madeleine began preschool in Västerled Parish.

Princess Madeleine in the classroom on her first day of school at Smedslätt School in Bromma near Stockholm, 21 August 1989.

Princess Madeleine in the classroom on her first day of school at Smedslätt School in Bromma near Stockholm, 21 August 1989. Photo: Lasse Hedberg/TT

In autumn 1989, The Princess started the first grade at Smedslätt School in Bromma. Her primary schooling continued at Carlssons School in Stockholm. She then attended secondary school at Enskilda Upper Secondary School in Stockholm in autumn 1995.

In summer 1997, Princess Madeleine was confirmed at Vadstena Abbey following confirmation studies at Medevi Brunn

The Princess was confirmed at Vadstena Abbey in August 1997.

The Princess was confirmed at Vadstena Abbey in August 1997. Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT

Princess Madeleine came of age on 10 June 2000. During a ceremony in Queen Lovisa Ulrika's Dining Hall at the Royal Palace, The Princess was congratulated by the Speaker of the Riksdag and the Government. HM The King also conferred the insignia of the Order of the Seraphim on The Princess.

In autumn 1998, The Princess began her upper secondary studies at Enskilda Upper Secondary School in Stockholm. She studied social sciences, graduating in 2001.

Princess Madeleine's 18th birthday and coming of age were celebrated on 10 June 2000 at the Royal Palace.

Princess Madeleine's 18th birthday and coming of age were celebrated on 10 June 2000 at the Royal Palace. Photo: Jack Mikrut/TT

After completing her upper secondary studies, The Princess moved to London in autumn 2001 for further English language studies.

Academic studies

In 2002, Princess Madeleine enrolled at Stockholm University for a legal studies overview course. During the following years, she studied history of art, ethnology and history. Princess Madeleine completed her bachelor's degree in winter 2006.

After graduating, The Princess carried out an internship at UNICEF in New York in spring 2006. That autumn, she learnt more about humanitarian issues by studying a master's course in organisation and leadership at Stockholm University.

The Princess continued her master's studies at the School of Social Work in spring 2007, and completed a university course in child psychology in the autumn.

Involvement with the World Childhood Foundation

While studying, The Princess became increasingly active in the work of the World Childhood Foundation, an organisation founded by The Queen. Together with Her Majesty, Princess Madeleine travelled to Brazil to attend a conference on issues relating to child sexual exploitation.

In the United States, The Princess subsequently worked at the offices of Childhood, including project visits to various parts of the country. The Princess also helped to coordinate humanitarian efforts and projects such as preventing human trafficking and sexual exploitation, public awareness work and fundraising.

Family

The engagement between HRH Princess Madeleine and Mr Christopher O'Neill was announced on 25 October 2012. The wedding took place in the Royal Chapel at the Royal Palace on 8 June 2013.

Princess Madeleine and Mr O'Neill's first child, Princess Leonore, was born in 2014. Their second child, Prince Nicolas, was born in 2015, followed by their third child, Princess Adrienne, in 2018.

After several years of living abroad, in the UK and the US, Princess Madeleine and her family settled in Sweden during the summer of 2024.

The Princess with her family in summer 2018 at Solliden.

The Princess with her family in summer 2018 at Solliden. Photo: Anna-Lena Ahlström/The Royal Court of Sweden

Interests and commitments

HRH Princess Madeleine's personal interests and commitments

HRH Princess Madeleine has continued The Queen's commitment to vulnerable children.

The World Childhood Foundation

The Princess is closely involved in the World Childhood Foundation, and takes part in many of the organisation's projects, both in Sweden and abroad. The Princess is also a member of the Childhood Prize jury. She serves on the board of Childhood Sweden and is an honorary member of Childhood USA's board. Since December 2021, The Princess has been Vice Honorary Chair of the World Childhood Foundation.

The My Special Day Foundation

The My Special Day Foundation is another organisation that is close to The Princess's heart. The foundation works to make the dreams of seriously ill children come true, and The Princess has been its patron for many years.

Princess Madeleine visits the Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital at Karolinska University Hospital with the My Special Day Foundation.

Princess Madeleine visits the Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital at Karolinska University Hospital with the My Special Day Foundation. Photo: Pelle T Nilsson/SPA

The Princess through the years

Symbols

Princess Madeleine's crown

Princess Hedvig Elisabet Charlotta's crown of gold, made 1778 in Stockholm by an unknown master.

Princess Madeleine's seraphim shield

HRH Princess Madeleine's seraphim shield, made by royal coat of arms painter Leif Ericsson.

Princess Madeleine's monogram

HRH Princess Madeleine's monogram and The Princess Couple's joint monogram.

Orders

HRH Princess Madeleine's orders

List of HRH Princess Madeleine's foreign order holdings.

Federal Republic of Brazil

  • The Order of Rio Branco, Grand Cross

Federal Republic of Germany

  • The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, Grand Cross

Republic of Greece

  • The Order of Honor, Grand Cross

Japan

  • The Imperial Order of the Crown, Grand Cordon

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

  • The Order of the Star of Jordan, Grand Cordon

Republic of Latvia

  • The Order of the Three Stars, Grand Officer

Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

  • The Order of Civil and Military Merit of Adolph of Nassau, Grand Cross

Malaysia

  • The Order of the Crown of Malaysia, Honorary Commander

Kingdom of Norway

  • The Royal Norwegian Order of St Olav, Grand Cross

Republic of Romania

  • The National Order of Faithful Service, Grand Cross