Daniel Westling
Encyclopedia
Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland ' onMouseout='HidePop("18030")' href="/topics/NE">né
Olof Daniel Westling; born 15 September 1973) is the husband of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden
. Prior to his marriage to the heiress apparent, Daniel was a personal trainer
and gym owner and ran a company called Balance Training with three gyms in central Stockholm
.
(on the day his father-in-law
became King of Sweden) while his parents lived in the Brickebacken area there, and grew up in Ockelbo
. He is the son of Olle Gunnar and Anna Eva Kristina Westling (born Westring) and has a sister named Anna. After having completed school, he briefly served, as part of national conscription, in the Swedish Army
at Hälsinge regemente
in Gävle
. In 2001 he met the Crown Princess as he became her personal trainer.
On 1 July 2008, he moved to a one-bedroom rental apartment in the Pagebyggnaden building in an area of Drottningholm Palace
. The move was confirmed by the Royal Court.
received official permission to become engaged from King Carl XVI Gustaf
and the Government of Sweden
. Such permission is necessary according to the terms of the Swedish Act of Succession
.
Westling suffered from a congenital
(but not hereditary) ailment causing impaired renal function. Three months after his engagement, on 28 May 2009, Westling underwent a kidney
transplant at Karolinska University Hospital
. His father was the donor
. The operation was a success. Victoria could not be present when the operation took place because she was performing royal duties in Greenland
.
The wedding took place in Stockholm Cathedral
on 19 June 2010, the 34th anniversary of her parents' wedding.
After their wedding on 19 June 2010, the Duke and Duchess of Västergötland moved in to Haga Palace
.
On 17 August 2011 the Swedish royal court announced that Prince Daniel and Crown Princess Victoria were expecting their first child in March 2012.
by law only since 1980 (SFS
1979:932, passing the law in 1979, which came into constitutional force in 1980). This means that Victoria is the first heiress apparent, and questions arose as to how Daniel 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, was given the title "Royal Highness" during his tenure as consort, a title granted to him by the estates. Ulrika Eleonora later abdicated so her consort Frederick—who was born a prince of Hesse-Kassel
—could be king. In Daniel's case, the Swedes were treading on new ground.
The Swedish Royal Court announced that Westling would become "Prince Daniel" and "Duke of Västergötland", 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 [Place
]. Prince Daniel's getting his wife's ducal title jure uxoris
was something new for a royal male consort in Sweden.
As further announced in May 2010, on his wedding day Westling 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 a 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.
Westling's business positions
Balance – CEO and Board Director (stepped down November 2009)
Master Training – CEO and Board Director
Brasil Development – Board Director
Daniel's style and title in full: His Royal Highness Prince Daniel of Sweden, Duke of Västergötland
, 1st class
. His paternal
grandfather Anders Andersson (1900–1980) adopted the surname of Westling from his mother. In June 2010, genealogist Björn Engström published Westling's ancestors as far back as to the 14th century, and showed that Westling is descended from some medieval noble families in the region of Stora Kopparberget
, among these Svinhufvud
.
NE
-Places:England* NE postcode area, a postcode for the City of Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and WearItaly* Ne, Liguria, a comune in the Province of GenoaNiger* Niger, ISO 3166-1 country code** .ne, the country code top level domain for Niger...
Olof Daniel Westling; born 15 September 1973) is the husband of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden
Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden
Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden, Duchess of Västergötland is the heiress-apparent to the Swedish throne. If she ascends to the throne as expected, she will be Sweden's fourth queen regnant .-Early life:...
. Prior to his marriage to the heiress apparent, Daniel was a personal trainer
Personal trainer
A personal trainer is a fitness professional involved in exercise prescription and instruction. They motivate clients by setting goals and providing feedback and accountability to clients. Trainers also measure their client's strengths and weaknesses with fitness assessments...
and gym owner and ran a company called Balance Training with three gyms in central Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
.
Early life
Daniel was born in ÖrebroÖrebro
-Sites of interest:Örebro's old town Wadköping is located on the banks of Svartån . It contains many 18th and 19th century wooden houses, along with museums and exhibitions....
(on the day his father-in-law
Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden
Carl XVI Gustaf is the reigning King of Sweden since 15 September 1973, succeeding his grandfather King Gustaf VI Adolf because his father had predeceased him...
became King of Sweden) while his parents lived in the Brickebacken area there, and grew up in Ockelbo
Ockelbo
Ockelbo is a locality and the seat of Ockelbo Municipality, Gävleborg County, Sweden with 2,709 inhabitants in 2005.The name Ockelbo, spelt "De oklabo" in 1314, contains an old marine name *Ukle, referring to modern- day lake Bysjön. The name derives from the old Swedish word "ukla" meaning swell,...
. He is the son of Olle Gunnar and Anna Eva Kristina Westling (born Westring) and has a sister named Anna. After having completed school, he briefly served, as part of national conscription, in the Swedish Army
Swedish Army
The Swedish Army is one of the oldest standing armies in the world and a branch of the Swedish Armed Forces; it is in charge of land operations. General Sverker Göranson is the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Army.- Organization :...
at Hälsinge regemente
Hälsinge regemente
Hälsinge regemente , designations I 14, I 14/Fo 49 and I 14/Fo 21, was a Swedish Army infantry regiment that traced its origins back to the 16th century. It was disbanded in 1997...
in Gävle
Gävle
Gävle is a city in Sweden, the seat of Gävle Municipality and the capital of Gävleborg County. It had 71,033 inhabitants in 12/31 2010. It is the oldest city in the historical Norrland , having received its charter in 1446 from Christopher of Bavaria.-History:It is believed that the name Gävle...
. In 2001 he met the Crown Princess as he became her personal trainer.
On 1 July 2008, he moved to a one-bedroom rental apartment in the Pagebyggnaden building in an area of Drottningholm Palace
Drottningholm Palace
The Drottningholm Palace is the private residence of the Swedish royal family. It is located in Drottningholm. It is built on the island Lovön , and is one of Sweden's Royal Palaces. It was originally built in the late 16th century. It served as a residence of the Swedish royal court for most of...
. The move was confirmed by the Royal Court.
Wedding
On 24 February 2009, Westling and the Crown PrincessVictoria, Crown Princess of Sweden
Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden, Duchess of Västergötland is the heiress-apparent to the Swedish throne. If she ascends to the throne as expected, she will be Sweden's fourth queen regnant .-Early life:...
received official permission to become engaged from King Carl XVI Gustaf
Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden
Carl XVI Gustaf is the reigning King of Sweden since 15 September 1973, succeeding his grandfather King Gustaf VI Adolf because his father had predeceased him...
and the Government of Sweden
Government of Sweden
The Government of the Kingdom of Sweden is the supreme executive authority of Sweden. It consists of the Prime Minister and cabinet ministers appointed by the Prime Minister. The Government is responsible for their actions to the Riksdag, which is the legislative assembly...
. Such permission is necessary according to the terms of the Swedish Act of Succession
Swedish Act of Succession
The Act of Succession is a part of the Swedish Constitution. It was adopted by the Riksdag of the Estates on September 26, 1810, and it regulates the right of members of the House of Bernadotte to accede to the Swedish throne...
.
Westling suffered from a congenital
Congenital disorder
A congenital disorder, or congenital disease, is a condition existing at birth and often before birth, or that develops during the first month of life , regardless of causation...
(but not hereditary) ailment causing impaired renal function. Three months after his engagement, on 28 May 2009, Westling underwent a kidney
Kidney
The kidneys, organs with several functions, serve essential regulatory roles in most animals, including vertebrates and some invertebrates. They are essential in the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid–base balance, and...
transplant at Karolinska University Hospital
Karolinska University Hospital
The Karolinska University Hospital is a university hospital in Stockholm, Sweden, with two major sites in the municipalities of Huddinge and Solna....
. His father was the donor
Organ donation
Organ donation is the donation of biological tissue or an organ of the human body, from a living or dead person to a living recipient in need of a transplantation. Transplantable organs and tissues are removed in a surgical procedure following a determination, based on the donor's medical and...
. The operation was a success. Victoria could not be present when the operation took place because she was performing royal duties in Greenland
Greenland
Greenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Though physiographically a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe for...
.
The wedding took place in Stockholm Cathedral
Storkyrkan
Sankt Nikolai kyrka , most commonly known as Storkyrkan and Stockholms domkyrka , is the oldest church in Gamla Stan, the old town in central Stockholm, Sweden. It is an important example of Swedish Brick Gothic...
on 19 June 2010, the 34th anniversary of her parents' wedding.
After their wedding on 19 June 2010, the Duke and Duchess of Västergötland moved in to Haga Palace
Haga Palace
Haga Palace , formerly known as the Queen's Pavilion , is located in Hagaparken, Solna Municipality in Metropolitan Stockholm, Sweden. The palace, built in 1802 1805, was modelled after ballet-master Gallodiers Italian villa in Drottningholm by architect Carl Christoffer Gjörwell on appointment by...
.
On 17 August 2011 the Swedish royal court announced that Prince Daniel and Crown Princess Victoria were expecting their first child in March 2012.
Groundbreaking titles
Sweden has practised absolute primogeniturePrimogeniture
Primogeniture is the right, by law or custom, of the firstborn to inherit the entire estate, to the exclusion of younger siblings . Historically, the term implied male primogeniture, to the exclusion of females...
by law only since 1980 (SFS
Swedish Code of Statutes
The Swedish Code of Statutes or "Svensk författningssamling" is the official publication of all new Swedish laws enacted by the Riksdag and ordinances issued by the Government. Every law has an SFS number, including legislation amending already existing law. The number consists of a four digit...
1979:932, passing the law in 1979, which came into constitutional force in 1980). This means that Victoria is the first heiress apparent, and questions arose as to how Daniel Westling would be known after their marriage.
When Carl XVI Gustaf married Silvia Sommerlath
Queen Silvia of Sweden
|align=right|Queen Silvia of Sweden is the Queen consort of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. Styled Her Majesty The Queen, Silvia is the mother of the heir apparent to the throne, Crown Princess Victoria.-Childhood:Queen Silvia was born in Heidelberg, Germany, on 23 December 1943...
in 1976, he discontinued the established norm
Norm (sociology)
Social norms are the accepted behaviors within a society or group. This sociological and social psychological term has been defined as "the rules that a group uses for appropriate and inappropriate values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors. These rules may be explicit or implicit...
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
Queen regnant
A queen regnant is a female monarch who reigns in her own right, in contrast to a queen consort, who is the wife of a reigning king. An empress regnant is a female monarch who reigns in her own right over an empire....
left no clear precedent. Margaret
Margaret I of Denmark
Margaret I was Queen of Denmark, Norway and Sweden and founder of the Kalmar Union, which united the Scandinavian countries for over a century. Although she acted as queen regnant, the laws of contemporary Danish succession denied her formal queenship. Her title in Denmark was derived from her...
(reigned 1388–1412) was the widow of Haakon VI of Norway
Haakon VI of Norway
Haakon VI of Norway was King of Norway from 1343 until his death and King of Sweden from 1362 until 1364, when he was deposed by Albert of Mecklenburg in Sweden.-Background:...
and Christina
Christina of Sweden
Christina , later adopted the name Christina Alexandra, was Queen regnant of Swedes, Goths and Vandals, Grand Princess of Finland, and Duchess of Ingria, Estonia, Livonia and Karelia, from 1633 to 1654. She was the only surviving legitimate child of King Gustav II Adolph and his wife Maria Eleonora...
(reigned 1632–1654) was unmarried. The most recent Ulrika Eleonora
Ulrika Eleonora of Sweden
Ulrika Eleonora or Ulrica Eleanor , also known as Ulrika Eleonora the Younger, was Queen regnant of Sweden from 5 December 1718 to 29 February 1720, and then Queen consort until her death....
(reigned 1718–1720) was already married during her tenure as queen regnant: her husband, Frederick, was given the title "Royal Highness" during his tenure as consort, a title granted to him by the estates. Ulrika Eleonora later abdicated so her consort Frederick—who was born a prince of Hesse-Kassel
Hesse-Kassel
The Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel or Hesse-Cassel was a state in the Holy Roman Empire under Imperial immediacy that came into existence when the Landgraviate of Hesse was divided in 1567 upon the death of Philip I, Landgrave of Hesse. His eldest son William IV inherited the northern half and the...
—could be king. In Daniel's case, the Swedes were treading on new ground.
The Swedish Royal Court announced that Westling would become "Prince Daniel" and "Duke of Västergötland", corresponding in form to the style
Style (manner of address)
A style of office, or honorific, is a legal, official, or recognized title. A style, by tradition or law, precedes a reference to a person who holds a post or political office, and is sometimes used to refer to the office itself. An honorific can also be awarded to an individual in a personal...
used by previous Swedish princes, including Victoria's younger brother Prince Carl Philip, Duke of Värmland
Prince Carl Philip, Duke of Värmland
Prince Carl Philip, Duke of Värmland , is the second child of three children and only son of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden. Born Crown Prince of Sweden, he retained his title and first place in succession for seven months until 1 January 1980...
, i.e. Prince
Prince
Prince is a general term for a ruler, monarch or member of a monarch's or former monarch's family, and is a hereditary title in the nobility of some European states. The feminine equivalent is a princess...
+ Given name
Given name
A given name, in Western contexts often referred to as a first name, is a personal name that specifies and differentiates between members of a group of individuals, especially in a family, all of whose members usually share the same family name...
+ Duke of [Place
Dukes of Swedish provinces
Duchies in Sweden have been allotted since the 13th century to powerful Swedes, almost always to Princes of Sweden and wives of the latter. From the beginning these duchies were often centers of regional power, where their dukes and duchesses had considerable executive authority of their own,...
]. Prince Daniel's getting his wife's ducal title jure uxoris
Jure uxoris
Jure uxoris is a Latin term that means "by right of his wife" or "in right of a wife". It is commonly used to refer to a title held by a man whose wife holds it in her own right. In other words, he acquired the title simply by being her husband....
was something new for a royal male consort in Sweden.
As further announced in May 2010, on his wedding day Westling was made a Prince of Sweden and was granted the style Royal Highness
Royal Highness
Royal Highness is a style ; plural Royal Highnesses...
, making him an official member of the Swedish Royal Family and on a par with other senior members of the Royal Family, such as Prince Carl Philip
Prince Carl Philip, Duke of Värmland
Prince Carl Philip, Duke of Värmland , is the second child of three children and only son of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden. Born Crown Prince of Sweden, he retained his title and first place in succession for seven months until 1 January 1980...
, Princess Madeleine
Princess Madeleine, Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland
Princess Madeleine of Sweden, Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland is the youngest child and second daughter of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden...
and Princess Lilian
Princess Lilian, Duchess of Halland
Princess Lilian, Duchess of Halland is a Welsh former fashion model who has been a member of the Swedish Royal Family since marrying Prince Bertil , an uncle of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, in 1976.-Early life:Born in Swansea, Wales, the daughter of William John Davies and wife Gladys Mary...
. At Stockholm Cathedral
Storkyrkan
Sankt Nikolai kyrka , most commonly known as Storkyrkan and Stockholms domkyrka , is the oldest church in Gamla Stan, the old town in central Stockholm, Sweden. It is an important example of Swedish Brick Gothic...
, 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.
Role while fiancé of the Crown Princess
After they got engaged, the prince (then still Daniel Westling) accompanied Victoria on a few official occasions:- March 2009 Crown Princess Victoria's name dayName dayA name day is a tradition in many countries in Europe and Latin America that consists of celebrating the day of the year associated with one's given name....
celebration - March 2009 Official dinner at the Royal Palace of Stockholm
- April 2009 Reception for Crown Princess and Mr. Daniel Westling
- July 2009 Crown Princess's birthday celebration
- July 2009 Lunch at Solliden for the President of South KoreaPresident of South KoreaThe President of the Republic of Korea is, according to the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, chief executive of the government, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and the head of state of the Republic of Korea...
- March 2010 Crown Princess Victoria's name day celebration
- April 2010 King Carl XVI Gustaf birthday celebrations
Businesses
In November 2009 it was reported that Daniel Westling was to step down as CEO and board director of the Balance company. He will still be an equity partner. It was expected that the same procedure would be followed with his involvements in other companies, before he became Prince.Westling's business positions
Balance – CEO and Board Director (stepped down November 2009)
Master Training – CEO and Board Director
Brasil Development – Board Director
Titles, styles, honours and arms
Titles and styles
- 15 September 1973 – 19 June 2010: Mr Daniel Westling
- 19 June 2010 – present: His Royal Highness The Duke of Västergötland
Daniel's style and title in full: His Royal Highness Prince Daniel of Sweden, Duke of Västergötland
Honours
19 June 2010: Knight of the Royal Order of the Seraphim 12 January 2011: Order of the Cross of Terra MarianaOrder of the Cross of Terra Mariana
The Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana was instituted in 1995 to honour the independence of the Estonian state. The Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana is bestowed upon the President of the Republic. Presidents of the Republic who have ceased to hold office shall keep the Order of the Cross of...
, 1st class
Ancestry
In connection with his engagement to Victoria, the Swedish National Archives published an account of Westling's ancestors, most of whom were farmers in the province of HälsinglandHälsingland
' is a historical province or landskap in central Sweden. It borders to Gästrikland, Dalarna, Härjedalen, Medelpad and to the Gulf of Bothnia...
. His paternal
Paternity (law)
In law, paternity is the legal acknowledgment of the parental relationship between a man and a child usually based on several factors.At common law, a child born to the wife during a marriage is the husband's child under the "presumption of legitimacy", and the husband is assigned complete rights,...
grandfather Anders Andersson (1900–1980) adopted the surname of Westling from his mother. In June 2010, genealogist Björn Engström published Westling's ancestors as far back as to the 14th century, and showed that Westling is descended from some medieval noble families in the region of Stora Kopparberget
Great Copper Mountain
Great Copper Mountain was a mine in Falun, Sweden, that operated for a millennium from the 10th century to 1992. It produced as much as two thirds of Europe's copper needs and helped fund many of Sweden's wars in the 17th century. Technological developments at the mine had a profound influence on...
, among these Svinhufvud
Svinhufvud
Svinhufvud is a family of ancient Swedish nobility originating from Dalarna. The family is incorporated both at the Swedish House of Nobility and the Finnish House of Nobility....
.