Sweden’s royal family dazzled at Tuesday’s state banquet honoring the Icelandic state visit, with King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel, Princess Madeleine, her husband Christopher O’Neill, and Prince Carl Philip all in attendance, adorned in formal gowns and glittering tiaras.
But one notable figure was missing from the evening’s glamorous lineup: Princess Sofia.
As photos from the elegant event circulated, royal fans took to social media to express their curiosity about her absence. “Couldn’t Princess Sofia join?” one Swedish commenter asked.
The reason, however, is a heartfelt one. Princess Sofia, 40, is currently on maternity leave following the birth of her fourth child, Princess Ines, in February. In Sweden, parents are entitled to 480 days of paid parental leave—divided equally between both parents—which Sofia is now making use of.
Though absent from the banquet, Sofia made a brief public appearance on April 30 to celebrate King Carl Gustaf’s 79th birthday, appearing on the Royal Palace balcony with her baby daughter in her arms.
Dressed in a chic white outfit with a black bow in her hair, she joined the royal family in marking the special occasion.
Sofia and Prince Carl Philip are also parents to three sons—Prince Alexander, 9, Prince Gabriel, 7, and Prince Julian, 4.
Their newest addition, Princess Ines, will be baptized at Drottningholm Palace Chapel on Friday, June 13—an especially meaningful date, as it also marks the couple’s 10th wedding anniversary.
