A new royal baby in 2025

 

Stand by, royal baby incoming. As 2025 gets under way, Sweden's royals will be celebrating as they welcome a brand new member. Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia have announced their latest child is due next February.

Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia in July, when only they knew baby number 4 was on the way

It will be baby number four for the couple and a sister or brother for Prince Alexander, 8, Prince Gabriel, 7 and 3 year old Prince Julien. Obviously, the speculation that they are hoping for a girl began the moment the announcement appeared on the royal family's Instagram. For all we know, Sofia might love being a boy mum and be hoping to round out her quartet. Either way, they will be the child of impossibly good looking parents as the brand new 'we're expecting' portrait shared by the mum and dad to be underlined.

Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia with their three boys (l to r) Alexander, Julien and Gabriel

Bump predictions aside, let's get down to the royal details. The baby will be eighth in line to the throne from birth and will have the title of princess or prince but no HRH, thanks to a decree issued by grandfather King Carl XVI Gustaf who ruled, several years ago, that only the children of an heir to the throne get status of royal highness. The new baby will also get an honorary dukedom so it's not all down.

As they announced a new addition to the family, Carl Philip and Sofia said their three sons were celebrating, hopefully as joyfully as Julien did last Christmas when his granny turned 80

Carl Philip and Sofia's new baby will be a ninth grandchild for Carl Gustaf and his wife, Queen Silvia. They currently have five grandsons and three granddaughters so may well be hoping to even things out. In reality, they are just like the rest of us and will be fixed on this new little addition arriving safe, sound and healthy. Good luck and congratulations.