Sweden's Prince Carl Philip brings out his military uniform for event close to his heart

Prince Carl Philip of Sweden has gone back to his military roots to relaunch one of the country's oldest regiments.

The father-of-three was representing his father King Carl XVI Gustaf at the ceremony in Solleftea, north of Stockholm.

He swapped his usual suit and tie for an army combat uniform, for the inauguration of Västernorrland's regiment I 21, with Jämtland's field hunting regiment.

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The event came nearly 400 years after the regiment was first established.

"Today the regiment resurrects," Prince Carl Philip told the audience.

"And here they will now once again train locally recruited infantry soldiers. This is important for the region - and for Sweden!

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"I am glad that today I have the opportunity to perform this ceremony."

The prince, 42, has a long history with Sweden's armed forces and has previously completed royal engagements connected with the military.

Most recently, he rejoined the military to serve as a reserve officer to help with the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

Prior to that, Prince Carl completed his military service with the Amphibious Battalion of Vaxholm's Coast Artillery Regiment and is trained as a combat boat commander.

He became a Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Swedish Navy in 2002 and later achieved the rank of Lieutenant in 2007 before achieving the rank of Major in 2014.

But he also has an artistic side.

Prince Carl has completed courses in graphic design both in Sweden and in the United States, even winning a prestigious award at the Rhode Island School of Design after entering under a pseudonym. He also has a keen interest in photography and has had his work displayed at various galleries.

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Prince Carl has also been racing cars since his debut in 2008 with Porsche and has also driven for Volvo.

Last week Prince Carl and his wife Princess Sofia stepped in for the King and Crown Princess Victoria, who were forced into isolation after they contracted COVID-19.

King Carl and Queen Silvia tested positive on January 4, followed by Crown Princess Victoria and her husband Prince Daniel.

In their absence, the royal couple attended a concert celebrating 100 years of Swedish democracy at the Avicii Arena on January 10.

Sofia used the event to debut her new hairstyle, with the concert making one of her first official appearances since the birth of her third son.

Sofia's blunt fringe is a change from her previous style, which featured softer layers around her face.