The Princess and her Mr Normal: Madeleine of Sweden's fiancé declines royal title as couple prepare to marry next month

The couple, who are to marry on June 8, were pictured at the Royal Chapel in Stockholm yesterday where they were read the banns of marriage

PUBLISHED: 14:54 EST, 20 May 2013 | UPDATED: 14:54 EST, 20 May 2013

Princess Madeleine of Sweden's fiancé Christopher O'Neill will not be taking a royal title after they marry next month.

In a press release on the couple's website, the British-American financier declined the opportunity, and will instead retain his post as Head of Research at Noster Capital in New York.

It read: 'Mr Christopher O'Neill is and will remain a US citizen, and he intends to continue his business as before after he has married HRH Princess Madeleine.'

Ready to wed: Princess Madeleine of Sweden and fiancé Christopher O'Neill pictured arriving for a Sunday service at the Royal Chapel in Stockholm, Sweden, where they were read the banns of marriage

The couple, who are based in New York but will marry in Sweden on June 8, were pictured at the Royal Chapel in Stockholm yesterday where they were read the banns of marriage.

Dressed in a mint green peplum-waisted dress by Swedish designer Pär Engsheden, Madeleine, 30, looked happy and relaxed as she and her husband-to-be went through the formalities.

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For her wedding gown, however, she is believed to have chosen a Valentino creation, though details have been kept strictly under wraps.

Princess Madeleine, who is fourth in line to the Swedish throne, is a project administrator for the World Childhood Foundation, a nonprofit founded by her mother.

Formality: King Carl Gustaf of Sweden (left) and Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt (right) congratulate Madeleine and Mr O'Neill at the Royal Palace after the banns of marriage service

Just earlier this month, she and her future husband were seen hosting her parents, the King and Queen of Sweden, in New York, taking in trips to Battery Park and the Red Rooster restaurant in Harlem.

Her decision to maintain her life with Mr O'Neill in New York after the wedding makes for a stark contrast with the choices of older sister, Crown Princess Victoria, 35, who married personal trainer Daniel Westling in 2010.

After their marriage, he assumed the title Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland. Their daughter, Princess Estelle, was born in February 2012.

The wedding of Princess Madeleine is expected to count over 350 guests - a small gathering compared to that of her sister, which included over 1,000.

City tour: King Carl XVI Gustaf (left) and Queen Silvia (second left) were seen in New York's Battery Park with their youngest daughter and her fiancé earlier this month

The couple will marry at the Royal Chapel at 4pm, followed by a 21-gun salute. The celebrations will begin with a reception at the Royal Palace, the official residence of the bride's parents, and concluded by a gala dinner prepared by Michelin-starred chef Mathias Dahlgren.

Princess Madeleine announced her engagement to Mr O'Neill in October last year.

In a brief video clip confirming the news, she said: 'Chris proposed to me in New York at the start of October, and we are very happy.'

She described the proposal as 'very romantic and intimate' but would not reveal anything beyond that.

'Madeleine and I have known each other for two years and I recently summoned up the courage to ask her to marry me. Thankfully she said yes,' Mr O'Neill said in English with a British accent.

Happy couple: Princess Madeleine announced her engagement to Mr O'Neill in October last year

He added a few words in Swedish, saying he was trying to learn the language 'but it is difficult.'

Mr O'Neill revealed that he had followed procedure and asked Madeline's father, King Carl XVI Gustaf, for his daughter's hand in marriage.

Madeline's mother, Queen Silvia, was thrilled by the news, describing Mr O'Neill as 'a real dream-son-in-law', according to the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet.

In turn, the banker says he has been warmly welcomed by the Swedish royals.

'I felt part of the family right from the very beginning,' he said. 'Madeleine's family is very warm and we have a very good time when we all see each other.'

Titled: Madeleine's older sister, Crown Princess Victoria, 35, married personal trainer Daniel Westling in 2010. After their marriage, he assumed the title Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland

Mr O'Neill's family is no stranger to royal connections. His German mother, Eva, is a former girlfriend of Prince Charles. The pair apparently met at a polo match and started an affair in 1986, when the British royal's marriage to Princess Diana was starting to break down.

St James's Palace denied that the Prince had had a romantic relationship with Eva, now 72, though she made headlines in Britain in 2003 when she invited Charles and his then-mistress Camilla to the Amadeus festival, which she organises annually in Salzburg, Austria.

When the Prince arrived, thrice-divorced Eva greeted him with a warm embrace and kiss - to the evident discomfort of Camilla, who would go on to marry Charles less than two years later.

She later told the Mail that she invited him to Salzburg 'because I know he is a classical music lover'.

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@J.L.Cole, Nashville TN. Absolutely, I concur, Mr. O'Neill is a wealthy business man with a lucrative career and future earning prospects, he doesn't need a title to feel fulfilled or be important. He's marrying a minor royal, their kids will virtually be commoners. He needs to take care of their family and secure himself in case of, god forbid a future divorce. He's marrying for love, I hope they'll be very happy wherever they choose to live their lives. An independent wealthy lifestyle with royal connections on the side, what's not to love about that, best of both worlds.

- coach , here, 21/5/2013 14:55

Click to rate Rating 23

Nothing compared to Queen Pippa.

- Stephanie , London, 21/5/2013 14:02

Click to rate Rating 12

They're cute together. And at 4th in line.... It's really cute he declined the honorary title.

- MyObnoxiousOpinions , South Florida, United States, 21/5/2013 13:03

Click to rate Rating 44

Wow, a man who doesn't need his wife's position and title!

- MyDailyFix , Here, United States, 21/5/2013 12:53

Click to rate Rating 40

It's poor to make comparisons with her sister, Crown Princess Victoria, as she's the direct heir to the Swedish throne. And to compare the number of guests and the weddings is cheap and crass.

- Ex Military, UK tax paying, Ex Pat , Anywhere other than The UK, 21/5/2013 07:12

Click to rate Rating 75

@coach , here, "He can't get a title unless he takes up Swedish citizenship and becomes a working royal giving up his business interests... As with most of us, we don't want to change nationality just because we happen to live, work or are married to someone from another country... I think this guy very sensibly choses to stay a commoner despite marrying a Princess." Well said, coach! I concur with the citizenship issues of which you speak but I also have to add that his decision to relinquish any royal title leaves his private estate untouched. It's a lucrative move considering the state of affairs on taxation vs. monarchy. His decision is clearly not a nationality issue nor a socially titled issue. His decisions are undeniably based on securing personal finances. Make no mistake about it. Good for him, too. He's smart to do so.

- J.L.Cole , Nashville TN, 21/5/2013 07:06

Click to rate Rating 49

This is reassuring to hear. He obviously loves Madeleine and isn't in it for royal titles. As for her brother Prince Carl Philip and his former stripper girlfriend, that's another story altogether!

- Joanna , Cambridge, 21/5/2013 04:15

Click to rate Rating 51

It is wonderful that the younger royal of Europe are allowed to choose their own spouses. Can't wait to see the wedding photos.

- Tokyogl , Tokyo, 21/5/2013 04:00

Click to rate Rating 60

She and her sister are both lovely girls.

- Episcogal , Pittsburgh, United States, 21/5/2013 03:46

Click to rate Rating 77

He's an 8 and she's a 5. He doesn't need the title and any connections he might get in that tiny little kingdom would probably not be worth much anyway. Maybe they're in love and that's my least cynical comment. Happy Days.

- LN , Neverland, 21/5/2013 03:28

Click to rate Rating 101

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