Former model Sofia Hellqvist is set to become a Swedish princess as she set to marry Sweden's Prince Carl Philip, who is third in line to the Swedish throne, in a ceremony in Stockholm.
Former model Sofia Hellqvist is set to marry Sweden's Prince Carl Philip, who is third in line to the Swedish throne, in a ceremony in Stockholm.
This will be the first time a Swedish commoner will become a princess in centuries. However, the royal love story took a rocky road to the alter due to Hellqvist's past, reports BBC.
The couple began dating in 2010. Before making headlines for being the prince's girlfriend, Hellqvist was best known for appearing in a reality show Paradise Hotel in 2005, which saw single men and women compete to see who would stay in a luxury hotel the longest. She has also posed topless for Slitz, a men's magazine.
Due to her past, many were critical of Prince Carl Philip decision to date Sofia.
The palace has reportedly asked Sofia to remove her tattoos and belly button piercing ahead of the royal wedding.
Watch: Clip of Hellqvist's in Paradise Hotel
However, over time attitudes have changed towards Sofia, say Johanna Lejon, royals reporter for the newspaper Svensk Damtidning and journalist Catarina Hurtig, who was the first to break the news of the couples relationship. Both agree that after getting to know some of the 30-year-old's achievements the public has grown fond of her.
Hellqvist reportedly studied accounting in New York and became a yoga instructor, where she also helped set up a yoga centre. In 2009, she worked as a volunteer in Ghana. In 2010, she co-founded the organisation Project Playground, which helps vulnerable children and youth in South Africa.
Once married, Hellqvist is required to devote her time fulfilling her royal duties and many expect her to be a role model.
BBC reveals, opinion polls show the Swedish royal family's popularity declining over the years, due to a 2010 scandal over claims Philip's father King Carl XVI Gustaf visited strip clubs. However, many believe Hellqvist's story has changed the way people view them, as half a million people are expected to line the streets of Stockholm on Saturday, to witness the royal wedding.
Caption: Guests arrive to board the SS Stockholm boat before the pre-wedding dinner for Prince Carl Philip and Sofia Hellqvist on June 12, 2015 in Stockholm, Sweden. Image Credit: Getty Images
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