Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prince Daniel |
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| Duke of Västergötland | |||||
Daniel in 2023
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| Born | Olof Daniel Westling 15 September 1973 Örebro Hospital, Örebro, Sweden |
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| House | Bernadotte (by marriage) | ||||
| Father | Olle Westling | ||||
| Mother | Ewa Westring | ||||
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| Swedish Royal Family |
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HRH Princess Birgitta Extended royal family
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Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland was born Olof Daniel Westling on September 15, 1973. He is a member of the Swedish royal family. He married Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden, on June 19, 2010. This marriage makes him the likely next consort of Sweden. Before his marriage, he was a personal trainer and owned gyms. His company, Balance Training, had three gyms in Stockholm.
Contents
Early Life and School
Olof Daniel Westling was born in Örebro Hospital in 1973. His parents are Olle Westling and Ewa Westring. His father worked for the postal service. His mother worked in social services.
Soon after he was born, his family moved to a suburb of Falun. In 1978, they moved again to Ockelbo. Daniel has an older sister named Anna. Most of his family members were farmers in Hälsingland. Daniel was christened, or baptized, in January 1974.
He finished school at Perslundaskolan. He also played hockey for junior and A-teams. After school, he worked as a helper in a nursing home. He served 15 months in the Swedish Army. He was honorably discharged as a second lieutenant. Daniel then worked for about a year at a center for children with special needs.
Career and Work
In November 2009, Daniel Westling stepped down as CEO of his Balance company. He also left its Board of Directors. He remained a part-owner of the company. This change happened before he became a prince.
Personal Life
Meeting Crown Princess Victoria
Daniel met Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden, in 2001. He became her personal trainer. In May 2002, newspapers reported they were dating. As their relationship grew, Daniel seemed uncomfortable with public attention. In July 2002, Daniel and Victoria were seen kissing for the first time.
On July 1, 2008, Daniel moved into an apartment. It was on the grounds of Drottningholm Palace. The Royal Court confirmed his move.
Marriage and Family
On February 24, 2009, Daniel and Crown Princess Victoria received permission to marry. King Carl XVI Gustaf and the Government of Sweden gave their consent. This permission is needed by Swedish law.
The wedding took place on June 19, 2010. It was held in Stockholm Cathedral. This date was also the 34th anniversary of Victoria's parents' wedding. After their wedding, Daniel and Victoria moved into Haga Palace. On September 26, 2010, Daniel went on his first official trip with Victoria. They visited France.
On August 17, 2011, the Swedish royal court announced good news. Daniel and Victoria were expecting their first child. Their daughter, Princess Estelle, Duchess of Östergötland, was born on February 23, 2012. Daniel took time off from work to care for Estelle. He and Victoria switched roles when Estelle started preschool. Their second child, Prince Oscar, Duke of Skåne, was born on March 2, 2016.
Health Journey
Daniel has a kidney disease that he was born with. It is not passed down through families. Doctors found it when he was 16 after an accident. The condition became more serious around 2008–2009. He needed dialysis treatments. His parents were tested to see if they could donate a kidney.
On May 29, 2009, Daniel had a kidney transplant. His father was the donor. The operation was successful. Victoria could not be there because she was visiting Greenland. Daniel has since talked about his experience. He encourages people to consider organ donation.
Helping Others
Supporting Organizations
Prince Daniel is a patron for several groups. He supports A Swedish Classic and The Healthy Generation Foundation. He also helps the International Society of Nephrology. Another group he supports is More Organ Donation.
Promoting Sports
Daniel loves sports. He plays golf and has a good handicap. He also enjoys football and ice hockey. He supports the teams AIK Fotboll and AIK Hockey.
Daniel created Prince Daniel's Race and Sports Day. These events happen every year. They encourage young people to exercise and enjoy sports. This project works with the Swedish Sports Confederation.
Daniel and Victoria started a foundation in 2010. It helps fight social exclusion. It also promotes good health for children and young people in Sweden. They created Generation Pep. This group helps raise awareness about kids' health. It also encourages people to get involved. Generation Pep gives an award to one school each year. This award is for promoting physical activity. Schools can also get a special certification. This is for creating ways to increase movement and sports for students. Daniel has visited schools in Sweden and Finland with this organization.
In 2022, the Karolinska Institute gave him an honorary doctorate. This was for his work in public health.
Health and Medical Research
He is an honorary chairman for the Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation. A special award is named after him: Prince Daniel's Grant for Promising Young Researchers.
Encouraging New Businesses
Each year, Daniel visits the Swedish Young Enterprise Championship. He is also on the national board of Young Enterprise.
The Prince Daniel's Fellowship project started in January 2013. Prince Daniel visits schools and universities across Sweden. He goes with business leaders and entrepreneurs. They inspire young people to start their own businesses. This project is a partnership with the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences.
Titles and Honors
How He Became a Prince
Sweden changed its rules for who can inherit the throne in 1980. This meant Victoria was the first female heir. People wondered what Daniel's title would be after they married.
The Swedish Royal Court announced that Daniel would become "Prince Daniel." He would also be the "Duke of Västergötland." This title is similar to other Swedish princes. For example, Victoria's younger brother is Prince Carl Philip, Duke of Värmland.
On his wedding day in May 2010, Daniel became a prince of Sweden. He was given the title Royal Highness. This made him an official member of the Swedish royal family. He was also made a knight of the Royal Order of the Seraphim at Stockholm Cathedral.
Since his marriage, Daniel is called "His Royal Highness Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland." He added the royal family's last name, Bernadotte, to his name. His full legal name is Olof Daniel Westling Bernadotte. When people talk about both him and his wife, they are called the Crown Princess Couple.
Awards and Medals
From Sweden
Sweden:
Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Seraphim
Knight Commander of the Royal Order of the Polar Star
Recipient of the Ruby Jubilee Medal of King Carl XVI Gustaf (September 15, 2013)
Recipient of the 70th Birthday Medal of King Carl XVI Gustaf (April 30, 2016)
Recipient of the Golden Jubilee Medal of King Carl XVI Gustaf (September 15, 2023)
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From Other Countries
Chile: Grand Cross of the Order of Bernardo O'Higgins
Denmark: Knight of the Order of the Elephant (May 6, 2024)
Estonia: Grand Cross of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana
Finland: Grand Cross of the Order of the White Rose of Finland
France: Grand Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honour (January 30, 2024)
Germany: Grand Cross, 1st class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (September 7, 2021)
Iceland: Grand Cross of the Order of the Falcon
Italy: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
Netherlands: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown (October 11, 2022)
Norway: Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav
South Korea: Grand Cross of the Order of Diplomatic Service Merit
Spain: Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Civil Merit (November 16, 2021)
Tunisia: Grand Officer of the National Order of Merit
Coat of Arms
Daniel's coat of arms is based on Sweden's national coat of arms. It shows three crowns and a lion from the House of Bjälbo. It also has the lion of Västergötland, which is his dukedom. In the middle is his personal Westling family arms. This part is based on the arms of Ockelbo. Around the shield is the chain of the Order of the Seraphim. He has been a member of this order since his wedding.
Images for kids
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Coat of arms
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Monogram
See also
In Spanish: Daniel de Suecia para niños
