He's adorable! Swedish royal family releases official images from Prince Alexander's christening as they are joined by his doting godparents

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The Swedish royal family have released official photographs from the christening of their youngest prince.

Prince Alexander, who was born in April, was officially welcomed into the world by his parents, Princess Sofia and Prince Carl Philip, at a ceremony in Drottningholm last week.

In the new images, released on Monday, the family are seen posing proudly with their newest addition, who is fifth in line to the throne.

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Princess Sofia and Prince Carl Philip are pictured with the young prince and his godparents (back row left to right): Lina Frejd, Victor Magnuson, Crown Princess Victoria, Jan-åke Hansson, and Wendy Larsson

The young royal looks adorable as he sits on his mother's lap dressed in a gown which is more than 100 years old, while his proud father sits alongside them. In one image, the couple are joined by Carl Philip's parents, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, as well as Sofia's parents, Marie and Erik Hellqvist.

In another newly-released image, taken by photographer Mattias Edwall at Drottningholm Palace, the young family pose alongside Alexander's aunts Sara Hellqvist, Lina Frejd, Princess Madeleine, and Crown Princess Victoria.

They are also pictured with the young prince and his godparents - Crown Princess Victoria, Lina Frejd, Wendy Larsson, Jan-åke Hansson and Victor Magnuson.

The two Swedish princesses dressed in their best for the occasion, with Victoria opting for a £3,736 Elie Saab dress and Madeleine stunning in a $890 (£670) floral number.  

The young couple couple are joined by Carl Philip's parents, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia (right) as well as Sofia's parents, Marie and Erik Hellqvist

The young family are joined by (back row, left to right): Their sisters Sara Hellqvist, Lina Frejd (who is also a godmother to the young prince), Princess Madeleine of Sweden, and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden

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But instead of our usual obsession, a certain Duchess of Cambridge, today we're all about the Swedish royal family who were out in force for the christening of little Prince Alexander.

His mother Princess Sofia looked elegant in white lace by Ida Sjöstedt and his aunt, Crown Princess Victoria also opted for this traditional material, but went for pretty pink by Elie Saab instead.

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Swedish royals, politicians and glamorous guests arrived in their droves to celebrate the christening of Prince Alexander last week for a in a ceremony steeped in tradition.

Guests gathered at Drottningholm Palace Church where Prince Alexander, wearing the same christening gown worn by Prince Gustaf Adolf in 1906, arrived carried by his glamorous mother, Princess Sofia, and his father, Carl Philip.

Resplendent in a white lace custom made Ida Sjöstedt suit, pearl headband and cream satin heels, Princess Sofia, 31, beamed as she watched her firstborn christened by Archbishop Antje Jackelen, flanked by her dapper husband, 37-year-old Prince Carl Philip.

The Prince, who was appointed kapten in the Swedish Navy and achieved the rank of major in 2014, looked handsome in his full uniform.

The service, which is being aired for the nation by SVT, was followed by a reception and lunch for VIPs at Drottningholm Palace. 

Guests gathered at Drottningholm Palace Church where Prince Alexander, wearing the same christening gown worn by Prince Gustaf Adolf in 1906, arrived carried by his glamorous mother, Princess Sofia, and his father, Carl Philip

The cherubic Prince, who was born in April and is fifth in line to the throne, wore a cotton and lace gown, which has been worn by generations of royal babies before him. Most recently, his cousins, Princesses Estelle and Leonore, and Princes Nicolas and Oscar, wore the smock.

His father and aunties, Crown Princess Victoria and Princess Madeleine, have also worn the family heirloom.  

The young royal's new godparents were also last week announced and were, of course, on hand at the christening.

Carl Philip's older sister and the future queen of Sweden, Crown Princess Victoria, wearing an Elie Saab cotton-blend lace dress, as well as Sofia's sister, Lina Frejd, and her childhood friend, Wendy Larsson, are godmothers. The godfathers are Carl Philip's friend and best man, Jan-Ã…ke Hansson, and the prince's cousin, Victor Magnuson.

At one point, Princess Sofia was seen holding her son, while Archbishop Antje Jackelen, Prince Carl Philip, god parents Jan-Ake Hansson, and Lina Frejd, and Rev. Michael Bjerkhagen gave their blessings during the christening ceremony in the Palace Chapel.

Resplendent in a white lace dress, pearl headband and cream satin heels, Princess Sofia, 31, beamed flanked by her dapper husband, 37-year-old Prince Carl Philip

The Prince gave his little son a tender squeeze as they greeted fans and wellwishers waiting outside the church 

Prince Alexander was born on Tuesday, April 19 at 6:25 p.m weighing at 7lbs 9oz and measuring 19.3 inches long

Swedish Princess Sofia (C) holds her son Prince Alexander, while Archbishop Antje Jackelen (L), Prince Carl Philip (2-L), god parents Jan-Ake Hansson, (3-R) and Lina Frejd (2-R) and Rev. Michael Bjerkhagen (R) give their blessings during the christening ceremony in the Palace Chapel of Drottningholm Palace in Stockholm

Prince Carl Philip looked lovingly at Princess Sofia, who held their son, Prince Alexander, during the ceremony 

Princess Sofia holds her baby son, Prince Alexander next to King Carl XVI Gustaf, during the christening ceremony in the Palace Chapel of Drottningholm Palace in Stockholm

Crown Princess Victoria (2-L) and Princess Sofia (2-R) hold their sons Princes Oscar (C-L) and Prince Alexander (C-R) during the christening ceremony in the Palace Chapel of Drottningholm Palace

Arch Bishop Antje Jackelen holds up Sweden's five month-old Prince Alexander at Palace Chapel in Drottningholm Palace during his christening

Arch Bishop Antje Jackelen, second right, holds up Sweden's Prince Alexander as Bishop Johan Dalman, second left, and Princess Sofia watch

The doting parents looked delighted to be christening their firstborn in a ceremony steeped with tradition 

Hours after the birth, Carl Philip held a press conference at the hospital to announce the new arrival. 'When asked if he had cried during the birth, the prince replied, according to People magazine: 'Yes, actually. Of course. Couldn't stop'

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Prince Daniel of Sweden, with their children Prince Oscar and Princess Estelle of Sweden, attended the christening of Prince Alexander of Sweden

Carl Philip's older sister and the future queen of Sweden, Crown Princess Victoria, wearing an Elie Saab cotton-blend lace dress, which cost an eye-watering £3,736, arrived with her family

The birth of the couple's baby came at an exciting time for the Swedish royal family, who have recently welcomed a new baby, Prince Oscar Carl Olof. Sofia's sister-in-law, Crown Princess Victoria, sister of Prince Carl Philip, gave birth to her second child in March

Other guests included Kjell Stefan Löfven, the Prime Minister of Sweden, and his wife, as well as Annie Marie Therése Lööf, the Leader of the Centre Party.

Alexander Erik Hubertus Bertil, also known as the Duke of Södermanland, is Carl Philip and Sofia's first child. 

The world first caught a glimpse of Prince Alexander when he left hospital with his parents Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sophia in April, the day after his birth.

Less than a week later, the royal family released their son's first official portrait.

Following in the footsteps of the Duchess of Cambridge, who has got behind the camera to take official portraits of her own children in the past, the image of the sleeping Prince was taken by the proud father Prince Carl Philip himself.

It shows Prince Alexander, who was five days old at the time, dressed in a white romper suit, covered with a delicate cable knit blanket - his tiny hands clasped alongside his ears. 

The new Duke of Södermanland's title was officially announced on April 22 at a cabinet meeting by his grandfather, King Carl XVI Gustaf .

In a statement following his birth, King Carl and Queen Queen Silvia said: 'We are extremely happy for Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia, and are delighted to have become grandparents again'

Princess Sofia of Sweden was seen doting on her cherubic son, Prince Alexander

Queen Silvia and King Carl Gustav arrived at the christening of their grandson 

The Prince, who was appointed kapten in the Swedish Navy and achieved the rank of major in 2014, looked handsome in his full uniform

Other guests included Urban Ahlin and Jennie Ahlin, left, and Kjell Stefan Löfven, the Prime Minister of Sweden, and his wife, right

First, an official document announcing the baby's name was signed at Drottningholm Palace, which traditionally takes place at a royal birth.

Speaker Urban Ahlin, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, Marshal of the Realm Svante Lindqvist, stateswoman Anna Hamilton, Chief Sophia Brismar Wendel and midwife Anna Ståhl were witnesses.

Prince Alexander was born on Tuesday, April 19 at 6:25 p.m weighing at 7lbs 9oz and measuring 19.3 inches long.

Hours after the birth, Carl Philip held a press conference at the hospital to announce the new arrival.

'When asked if he had cried during the birth, the prince replied, according to People magazine: 'Yes, actually. Of course. Couldn't stop.

'For me and my wife, this is obviously a great day with a lot of emotion. Words cannot describe.' 

At the time, members of the royal family offered official messages of congratulations to the couple on the birth of their first child.

In a statement, King Carl and Queen Queen Silvia said: 'We are extremely happy for Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia, and are delighted to have become grandparents again.

'We hope the new parents enjoy a time of peace and quiet together with their son.'

Crown Princess Victoria and her husband Prince Daniel added: 'We hope Carl Philip and Sofia enjoy these wonderful first few days with their new-born son, and we share the new parents' joy.'

A message from Princess Madeleine and her husband Christopher O'Neill said they were 'delighted to welcome a new member of the family'.

Annie Marie Therése Lööf, the Leader of the Centre Party, was also in attendance, as was Ebba Busch Thor, right

Other guests include Oscar Kylberg and Maria Nilsson, left, and Bertil Bernadotte and Countess of Wisborg, Jill Bernadotte, right

A WHO'S WHO OF THE SWEDISH ROYAL FAMILY 

King Carl XVI Gustaf (born in 1946) and Queen Silvia (born in 1943) are the head of the royal family.

Crown Princess Victoria, Duchess of Västergötland (born in 1977), is their eldest daughter and heir to the throne. She is married to Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland, and they have Princess Estelle, Duchess of Östergötland, born 2012, and Prince Oscar, Duke of Skåne, born 2016

Their eldest son is Prince Carl Philip, Duke of Värmland (born 1979). He is married to Princess Sofia, Duchess of Värmland, and they have Prince Alexander, Duke of Södermanland, born 2016.

Their youngest daughter is Princess Madeleine, Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland, born 1982, who is married to Christopher O'Neill. They have Princess Leonore, Duchess of Gotland, and Prince Nicolas, Duke of Ångermanland, born 2015.

Princess Birgitta is also a member of the Royal House. She is the King's second sister and the widow of Prince Johann Georg of Hohenzollern.

Princess Margaretha, Mrs. Ambler, the King's first sister, and his third sister, Princess Désirée, Baroness Silfverschiöld, who is married to Baron Niclas Silfverschiöld, and Princess Christina, Mrs. Magnuson, who is the King's fourth sister and married to Consul General Tord Magnuson, are also members of the Royal Family.

The King's aunts, Marianne Bernadotte, Countess of Wisborg, and Gunnila Bernadotte, Countess of Wisborg, are also listed. 

A family tree of the royals (please note the dates for Sibylla are 1908-1972)

Sofia's parents Marie and Erik Hellqvist also sent a special message to the royal couple.

'We are so pleased that Prince Carl Philip and our daughter Sofia have had their first child.

'We have longed for a grandchild for a long time, and we are both extremely proud and happy.

'We wish them great happiness together with the new member of the family, and we will provide help and support as grandparents.'

And of course the Prince's proud aunts Lina Hellqvist and Sara Hellqvist, Princess Sofia's sisters, were keen to offer their congratulations.

'We welcome this tiny new member of the family with great joy and love,' they said. 'We have been looking forward to becoming aunts, and we will enjoy getting to know our nephew.

'We wish the new family the very best of luck!'

Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia shared the happy news of the pregnancy last year via an official statement released on Facebook.

'We are so happy and excited to announce that we are expecting our first child. We are very much looking forward to it,' it read.

The birth of the couple's baby came at an exciting time for the Swedish royal family, who have recently welcomed a new baby, Prince Oscar Carl Olof.

Sofia's sister-in-law, Crown Princess Victoria, sister of Prince Carl Philip, gave birth to her second child in March.

A view inside the Palace Chapel of Drottningholm Palace during the christening of Swedish Prince Alexander in Stockholm, Sweden

Princess Sofia of Sweden (R) and son Prince Alexander of Sweden arrive ahead of the christening at Drottningholm Palace Chapel

Former glamour model Sofia Hellqvist married the prince last June. The elegant brunette is known for her infectious gap-toothed smile and easygoing ways.

They dated for five years before walking down the aisle and now live together in the upmarket Djurgården district of Stockholm.

They married in the royal palace's chapel, with the bride wearing a lace wedding dress created by local designer Ida Sjöstedt.

But thanks to Princess Sofia's reality TV and glamour modeling past, Carl Philip's choice of wife initially proved controversial.

The now Duchess of Värmland's first shoot aged 20 saw her posing topless in a pair of camouflage print bikini bottoms and clutching a snake to preserve her modesty.

Unsurprisingly, when news of Carl Philip's new relationship emerged in 2010, the Swedish Royal Family were initially put 'on the defensive' as sources revealed at the time.

Since then, however, Sofia has gone out of her way to tone down her image.

Meanwhile Carl Philip has hit the headlines for antics of his own - not least his infamous 'wild summer' of 2012, during which he hit the Swedish party scene wearing an alien mask, and hitchhiked to a motoring competition after losing his Gucci wallet, going on to crash his car in the first race.