Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland

Member of the Swedish royal family (born 1973)

"Prince Daniel" redirects here. For other uses, see Prince Daniel (disambiguation).

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|

Prince Daniel

Duke of Västergötland

Daniel in 2016

Born| Olof Daniel Westling
(1973-09-15) 15 September 1973 (age 51)
Örebro Hospital, Örebro, Sweden[1]
Spouse|

Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden

(m. 2010)​

Issue|

* Princess Estelle, Duchess of Östergötland
* Prince Oscar, Duke of Skåne

| Names

Olof Daniel Westling Bernadotte
House| Bernadotte (by marriage)[2]
Father| Olle Westling
Mother| Ewa Westring
Signature|

Swedish royal family

* The King
The Queen
* The Crown Princess
Prince Daniel
* Princess Estelle
* Prince Oscar
* Prince Carl Philip
Princess Sofia
* Prince Alexander
* Prince Gabriel
* Prince Julian
* Princess Ines
* Princess Madeleine
* Princess Leonore
* Prince Nicolas
* Princess Adrienne

* * *

* Princess Margaretha, Mrs. Ambler
* Princess Désirée, Baroness Silfverschiöld
* Princess Christina, Mrs. Magnuson

* * *

* Marianne, Princess Bernadotte

* v
* t
* e

Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland[3] (born Olof Daniel Westling; born 15 September 1973) is a member of the Swedish royal family by marriage to Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden, making him the likely next consort of Sweden. Prior to his marriage to the heir apparent to the Swedish throne, he was a personal trainer and gym owner and ran a company called Balance Training with three gyms in central Stockholm.[4]

## Background and early life

[edit]

Olof Daniel Westling was born on 15 September 1973 to Olle and Ewa Westling (born Ewa Westring) at Örebro Hospital.[5][6] His family initially lived in Örebro, but later moved to Ockelbo. He has a sister, Anna Westling Söderström (formerly Anna Westling Blom,[7] born Anna Westling; 1970). Most of his ancestors were farmers in the province of Hälsingland.[8][9][10][11] The day Daniel was born just so happens to be the day his future father in law (then) Crown Prince Carl Gustaf became King of Sweden. Daniel Westling was christened at Almby Church in January 1974.[12] His family has Forest Finnish ancestry and his father is a leader in the Forest Finnish community.[13]

After completing his education, he served for 15 months, as part of national conscription, in the Swedish Army at Hälsinge Regiment in Gävle and was honorably discharged as a second lieutenant.[14] In 2001, he met the Crown Princess when he became her personal trainer.

On 1 July 2008, he moved into a one-bedroom rental apartment in the Pagebyggnaden building on the grounds of Drottningholm Palace. The move was confirmed by the Royal Court.[15]

## Career

[edit]

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2017)

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In November 2009 it was reported[16] that Westling was to step down as CEO and member of the Board of Directors of the Balance company though he would continue to be an equity partner. It was expected that the same procedure would be followed with his involvements in other companies before he became prince.

## Engagement and marriage

[edit]

Daniel with his wife and daughter arriving at the wedding of his sister-in-law Madeleine, 2013.

Main article: Wedding of Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden and Daniel Westling

On 24 February 2009, Daniel and Crown Princess Victoria received the required consent of King Carl XVI Gustaf and the Government of Sweden for marriage.[17] Such permission is necessary according to the terms of the Swedish Act of Succession.

Daniel suffered from a congenital (but not hereditary) ailment causing impaired renal function. Three months after his engagement, on 29 May 2009, Westling underwent a kidney transplant at Karolinska University Hospital.[18][19] His father was the donor and the operation was a success.[20] Victoria could not be present when the operation took place because she was in Greenland at the time.[citation needed]

The wedding took place in Stockholm Cathedral on 19 June 2010, the 34th anniversary of her parents' wedding. After the wedding, Daniel and Victoria moved into the Haga Palace. On 26 September 2010, Daniel went on his first tour with Victoria, visiting France in connection with the Bernadotte anniversary.[21]

On 17 August 2011, the Swedish royal court announced that Daniel and Victoria were expecting their first child in March 2012.[22] She gave birth to a girl on 23 February 2012,[23] Princess Estelle, Duchess of Östergötland. Daniel took his paternity leave and switched parental roles with Victoria when Estelle began preschool.[24] Their second child, Prince Oscar, Duke of Skåne, was born on 2 March 2016.[25][26]

## Charity work

[edit]

### Patronage

[edit]

Daniel is a patron in the following organizations: A Swedish Classic, The Healthy Generation Foundation, International Society of Nephrology, More Organ Donation.[27]

### Areas of work

[edit]

#### Health

[edit]

He is an honorary chairman of the board of the Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation and has given his name to Prince Daniel's Grant for Promising Young Researchers.[28] Daniel invented Prince Daniel's Race and Sports Day, which are arranged each year to encourage more young people to get exercise and to take an interest in sport. The game is in association with the Swedish Sports Confederation.[28][29]

Daniel and Victoria established a foundation to mark the occasion of their marriage in 2010. The focus of the foundation is to combat exclusion and promote good health among children and young people in Sweden.[28] The couple took the initiative for Generation PEP, a non-profit organisation that works to raise awareness of and encourage commitment to issues relating to the health of children and young people.[28]

In 2022, the Karolinska Institute conferred him with an honorary doctorate for his public health advocacy.[30]

#### Entrepreneurship

[edit]

Each year, Daniel visits the Swedish Young Enterprise Championship. He is also a member of Young Enterprise's national board.[28]

The Prince Daniel's Fellowship project and its entrepreneurial programme were launched in January 2013.[28] Prince Daniel with business leaders and entrepreneurs visits upper secondary schools, universities and university colleges around Sweden to inspire young people to get involved in entrepreneurship.[28] This project is a long-term partnership between Prince Daniel and the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences.[28]

## Titles, styles, honours and arms

[edit]

### Titles and styles

[edit]

Sweden has practised absolute primogeniture only since 1980. This means that Victoria is the first female heir apparent, and questions arose as to how Westling would be known after their marriage.

When Carl XVI Gustaf married Silvia Sommerlath in 1976, he discontinued the established norm that Swedish princes must marry royalty to be eligible to inherit the throne. But men, royal or not, had only twice before, in the 13th and 17th centuries, obtained new title or rank as the spouse of a Swedish princess, and even three queens regnant left no clear precedent. Margaret (reigned 1388–1412) was the widow of Haakon VI of Norway and Christina (reigned 1632–1654) was unmarried. The most recent Ulrika Eleonora (reigned 1718–1720) was already married during her tenure as queen regnant: her husband, Frederick of Hesse-Kassel, was given the style "Royal Highness" during his tenure as consort, a style granted to him by the estates.[31] Ulrika Eleonora abdicated so her consort Frederick could be king. In Daniel's case, the Swedes were treading on new ground.

The Swedish Royal Court announced that Daniel would become "Prince Daniel" and "Duke of Västergötland",[17] corresponding in form to the style used by previous Swedish princes, including Victoria's younger brother Prince Carl Philip, Duke of Värmland, i.e. Prince + Given name + Duke of Province.

As was further announced in May 2010, on his wedding day Daniel was made a prince of Sweden and was granted the style Royal Highness, making him an official member of the Swedish royal family and on par with other senior members of the royal family, such as Prince Carl Philip, Princess Madeleine and Princess Lilian. At Stockholm Cathedral, he was also then made a knight of the Royal Order of the Seraphim and already wore its badge and ribbon upon emerging after the ceremony.

Since his marriage, Daniel has been styled as "His Royal Highness Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland". He added the surname of the Swedish royal family, Bernadotte, making his full legal name Olof Daniel Westling Bernadotte.[32] When referring to both him and his wife, they are called the Crown Princess Couple (Swedish: Kronprinsessparet).[33]

### Honours

[edit]

See also: List of honours of the Swedish Royal Family by country

#### National honours

[edit]

* Sweden:
* Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Seraphim (LoK av KMO)[34]
* Knight Commander of the Royal Order of the Polar Star (KmstkNO)[citation needed]
* Recipient of the Ruby Jubilee Medal of King Carl XVI Gustaf (15 September 2013).[35]
* Recipient of the 70th Birthday Medal of King Carl XVI Gustaf (30 April 2016).[citation needed]
* Recipient of the Golden Jubilee Medal of King Carl XVI Gustaf (15 September 2023).

#### Foreign honours

[edit]

* Chile: Grand Cross of the Order of Bernardo O'Higgins[citation needed]
* Denmark: Knight of the Order of the Elephant[36] (R.E.; 6 May 2024)
* Estonia: Grand Cross of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana[37]
* Finland: Grand Cross of the Order of the White Rose of Finland[citation needed]
* France: Grand Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honour (30 January 2024)[38]
* Germany: Grand Cross, 1st class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (7 September 2021)[citation needed]
* Iceland: Grand Cross of the Order of the Falcon[39]
* Italy: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic[40][41]
* Netherlands: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown (11 October 2022)[42]
* Norway: Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav[43]
* South Korea: Grand Cross of the Order of Diplomatic Service Merit[citation needed]
* Spain: Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Civil Merit (16 November 2021)[44]
* Tunisia: Grand Officer of the National Order of Merit[45]

### Arms

[edit]

* Coat of arms

* Monogram

Daniel's coat of arms is based on the greater coat of arms of Sweden. It features in the first and fourth quarters, the Three Crowns; in the second, the lion of the House of Bjälbo; and in the third, the lion of the arms of Västergötland, representing the titular designation of his and his wife's dukedom. In the centre, on an inescutcheon, is his personal arms (Westling). This Westling escutcheon is based on the arms of Ockelbo. Surrounding the shield is the chain of the Order of the Seraphim, of which he has been a member since his wedding.[46]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Biography - Sveriges Kungahus". www.kungahuset.se. Archived from the original on 26 June 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
2. ^ "Royal Family - Sveriges Kungahus". Kungahuset.se. Archived from the original on 14 November 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
3. ^ His full name, as registered with the Swedish Tax Authority's national census, is Olof Daniel Westling Bernadotte.
4. ^ Interview (in Swedish) by Sveriges Television broadcast 19 June 2010[better source needed]
5. ^ Hällsten, Annika (24 March 2023). "När kungen firar får prins Daniel stiga åt sidan" [When the King celebrates, Prince Daniel is allowed to step aside]. Hufvudstadsbladet (in Swedish). Retrieved 16 May 2025 - via PressReader.
6. ^ Åström, Eva (6 September 2019). "Så lyckades Daniel vinna Victorias – och (till slut) kungens & svenska folkets hjärtan" [How Daniel managed to win the hearts of Victoria-and (eventually) the King & the Swedish people]. GALA Magazine (in Swedish). Retrieved 16 May 2025 - via PressReader.
7. ^ "Guests at the wedding - Sveriges Kungahus". Kungahuset.se. Archived from the original on 6 August 2017. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
8. ^ "Family tree". Svar.ra.se. Archived from the original on 15 October 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
9. ^ "Family tree". Svar.ra.se. Archived from the original on 1 August 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
10. ^ "Family tree". Svar.ra.se. Archived from the original on 27 February 2012. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
11. ^ "Family tree". Svar.ra.se. Archived from the original on 27 February 2012. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
12. ^ "Biography". Archived from the original on 26 June 2018. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
13. ^ Marja Valtonen (17 October 2016). "Olle Westling är stolt över sina skogsfinska rötter | SVT Nyheter". SVT Nyheter. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
14. ^ Sponberg, Udo (22 September 2009). "Daniel Westling" (in Swedish). Göteborgs-Posten. Retrieved 18 June 2010.[permanent dead link]
15. ^ Kerpner, Joachim; Sjölund, Jill (20 June 2008). "Här är bevisen: Nu flyttar Daniel in på Drottningholm". Aftonbladet (in Swedish). Retrieved 18 June 2010.
16. ^ Claes, Petersson (14 November 2009). "Tvingas att sluta jobba". Aftonbladet (in Swedish). Retrieved 18 June 2010.
17. ^ a b "Engagement between Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling" (Press release). Royal Court of Sweden. 24 February 2009. Archived from the original on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
18. ^ "Prince Daniel of Sweden breaks his silence about his kidney transplant". Yahoo Entertainment. 6 November 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
19. ^ Forsberg, Katarina (16 August 2019). ""Han vill berätta hur oerhört bra han mår i dag"" ["He wants to tell me how well he is today.”]. Aftonbladet (in Swedish). Retrieved 16 May 2025 - via PressReader.
20. ^ Ekroth, Benjamin (11 August 2019). "Prins Daniel berättar om sin svåra sjukdom" [Prince Daniel talks about his illness]. Aftonbladet (in Swedish). Retrieved 16 May 2025 - via PressReader.
21. ^ "The Crown Princess Couple visit France". Kungahuset.se. Archived from the original on 5 June 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
22. ^ "Kronprinsessparet väntar barn / The Crown Princess Couple was expecting a child". Royal Court of Sweden. 17 August 2011. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
23. ^ "Kommuniké från Riksmarskalken - Sveriges Kungahus". Kungahuset.se. Archived from the original on 15 October 2012. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
24. ^ "Princess Estelle at nursery school". Nordstjernan.com. Archived from the original on 15 March 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
25. ^ "Kommuniké från riksmarskalken - Sveriges Kungahus". Kungahuset.se. Archived from the original on 17 April 2017. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
26. ^ "H.K.H. Prins Oscar Carl Olof, hertig av Skåne - Sveriges Kungahus". Kungahuset.se. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
27. ^ "Prince Daniel — Patronage". www.kungahuset.se. Archived from the original on 13 June 2017. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
28. ^ a b c d e f g h "Prince Daniel — Royal Engagements". www.kungahuset.se. Archived from the original on 23 July 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
29. ^ "Prince Daniel attends Prince Daniel's Race and Sports Day at Haga Park". www.kungahuset.se. Archived from the original on 23 July 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
30. ^ Hällsten, Annika (11 February 2022). "Prins Daniel blir hedersdoktor vid Karolinska" [Prince Daniel becomes honorary doctor at Karolinska]. Hufvudstadsbladet (in Swedish). Retrieved 16 May 2025 - via PressReader.
31. ^ "1255-1256 (Nordisk familjebok / Uggleupplagan. 8. Feiss - Fruktmögel)". Runeberg.org. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
32. ^ "Biography". Kungahuset.se. Archived from the original on 26 June 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
33. ^ "The Crown Princess Couple". Kungahuset.se. Archived from the original on 27 January 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
34. ^ "Mr Daniel Westling will be knight of the order of the Seraphim after the wedding" (Press release) (in Swedish). Royal Court of Sweden. 19 June 2010. Archived from the original on 26 June 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
35. ^ "La Princesa Estelle, estrella del 40 aniversario de su abuelo, el Rey Carlos Gustavo de Suecia". Europapress.es (in Spanish). Retrieved 6 January 2017.
36. ^ "Ordensudveksling ved statsbesøg til Sverige". Kongehuset. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
37. ^ "Vabariigi President". President.ee. 18 January 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
38. ^ https://www.kungahuset.se/arkiv/nyheter/2024-01-30-statsbesok-fran-frankrike/ Archived 30 January 2024 at the Wayback Machine [bare URL]
39. ^ Royal Central
40. ^ "Le onorificenze della Repubblica Italiana".
41. ^ "Pranzo di Stato al Palazzo Reale".
42. ^ "State visit from the Netherlands". Kungahuset. 13 October 2022. Archived from the original on 25 July 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
43. ^ "Utnevnelse til St. Olavs Orden" [Appointment to the Order of St. Olav]. Kongehuset (in Norwegian). 21 June 2022. Archived from the original on 25 July 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
44. ^ "Real Decreto 1013/2021, de 16 de noviembre, por el que se concede la Gran Cruz de la Orden del Mérito Civil a Su Alteza Real el Príncipe Daniel del Reino de Suecia" [Royal Decree 1013/2021, of November 16, by which the Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit is awarded to His Royal Highness Prince Daniel of the Kingdom of Sweden]. Boletín Oficial del Estado (in Spanish). 17 November 2021. Archived from the original on 25 July 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
45. ^ "Statsbesök från Tunisien – dag 1 - Sveriges Kungahus". Kungahuset.se. Archived from the original on 2 April 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
46. ^ "Herr Daniel Westlings vapensköld och monogram offentliggörs - Sveriges Kungahus". Kungahuset.se. Archived from the original on 22 September 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2017.

## External links

[edit]

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**also prince/princess of Norway
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Swedish princes

The generations indicate descent from Gustav I, of the House of Vasa, and continues through the Houses of Palatinate-Zweibrücken, Holstein-Gottorp; and the Bernadotte.

1st generation|

* King Eric XIV
* King John III
* Prince Magnus, Duke of Östergötland
* King Charles IX

2nd generation|

* King Sigismund I
* Gustav, Prince of Uglich
* Prince John, Duke of Östergötland
* King Gustav II Adolf
* Prince Charles Philip, Duke of Södermanland

3rd generation|

* King Władysław IV of Poland, Grand Duke of Lithuania[2]
* King John II Casimir of Poland, Grand Duke of Lithuania[2]
* Prince Alexander Charles[2]
* John Albert, Prince-Bishop of Warmia and Kraków[2]
* Prince Charles Ferdinand, Duke of Opole[2]

4th generation|

* King Charles XI

5th generation|

* King Charles XII
* King Frederick I[4]

6th generation|

* King Adolf Frederick[4]

7th generation|

* King Gustav III
* King Charles XIII
* Prince Frederick Adolf, Duke of Östergötland

8th generation|

* King Gustav IV Adolf
* Prince Carl Gustav, Duke of Småland
* Crown Prince Charles August[4]
* King Charles XIV John[1][4]

9th generation|

* Crown Prince Gustav, Prince of Vasa
* King Oscar I[1][4]

10th generation|

* King Charles XV[1]
* Prince Gustaf, Duke of Uppland[1]
* King Oscar II[1]
* Prince August, Duke of Dalarna[1]

11th generation|

* Prince Carl Oscar, Duke of Södermanland[1]
* King Gustaf V[1]
* Prince Oscar, Duke of Gotland[1][3]
* Prince Carl, Duke of Västergötland[1]
* Prince Eugen, Duke of Närke[1]

12th generation|

* King Gustaf VI Adolf[1]
* Prince Wilhelm, Duke of Södermanland[1]
* Prince Erik, Duke of Västmanland[1]
* Prince Carl, Duke of Östergötland[3]

13th generation|

* Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten
* Prince Sigvard, Duke of Uppland[3]
* Prince Bertil, Duke of Halland
* Prince Carl Johan, Duke of Dalarna[3]
* Prince Lennart, Duke of Småland[3]

14th generation|

* King Carl XVI Gustaf

15th generation|

* Prince Carl Philip, Duke of Värmland
* Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland[4]

16th generation|

* Prince Oscar, Duke of Skåne
* Prince Alexander, Duke of Södermanland
* Prince Gabriel, Duke of Dalarna
* Prince Julian, Duke of Halland
* Prince Nicolas, Duke of Ångermanland

1 Also prince of Norway
2 Also prince of Poland and Lithuania
3 Lost his title due to an unequal marriage
4 Not Swedish prince by birth, but created prince of Sweden

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