Sweden's baby princess steals the show at grandfather's 80th birthday celebrations

In just over a year, Princess Ines has become one of the most adored members of Sweden's royal family.

Weeks after marking her first birthday in February, the little princess stole the show at her grandfather's 80th celebrations in Stockholm – captivating the cameras in what was just her third ever public appearance.

The 14-month-old was cradled by her father Prince Carl Philip during a thanksgiving service before being passed around between family members when the royals gathered on the palace balcony afterwards.

Although many royal watchers were fascinated by the face-obscuring blue hat worn by her mother Princess Sofia, it was the youngest member of the House of Bernadotte who provided some of the most memorable moments of the day.

Royals from across the world descended on Stockholm for the celebrations on April 30, marking the King's 80th birthday.

Among the invited guests were Denmark's King Frederik X, Queen Mary and Queen Margrethe II, Norway's King Harald V, Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon, Spain's Queen Sofia, Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stéphanie of Luxembourg and Thailand's King Rama X and Queen Suthida.

It was the largest gathering of foreign royalty in Sweden since the King's 70th birthday a decade before.

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The day began with a service of thanksgiving, known as a Te Deum, inside the palace church in the morning.

Princess Ines was seen playing on the floor with her three brothers: Prince Alexander, 10, Prince Gabriel, eight, and Prince Julian, five, who were trying to keep her entertained throughout.

Elsewhere during the mass, the princess was held by her dad.

Princess Ines is the fourth child for Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia. Her full name is Ines Marie Lilian Silvia and she has the title Duchess of Västerbotten.

Princess Ines was born eighth-in-line to the Swedish throne and the ninth grandchild for King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia.

Following the church service, the royals appeared on the palace balcony to watch a military guard of honour in the courtyard below.

The King then joined the rest of his family on the balcony to watch a flypast of aircraft.

The King and Queen were joined by their entire family: Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel and their children Princess Estelle, 14, and Prince Oscar, 10, Princess Madeleine and Christopher O'Neill and their children Princess Leonore, 12, Prince Nicolas, 10, and Princess Adrienne, eight, along with Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia and their four children.

Princess Ines was seen being passed from her mother to her aunty Princess Madeleine, before she was held by her grandmother.

At one point, Ines tried her best to remove her white cape but her mother was able to keep the garment firmly secured.

Princess Estelle, who is was named as one of Ines' godmothers at her baptism last year, was later seen holding the little princess to keep her happy.

While the royal children took a key role in the day's events, they were excluded from the night's palace gala.

The evening banquet saw the invited guests wear their royal orders and, for the women, tiaras and gowns.

Heir to the throne, Crown Princess Victoria, paid tribute to her father in a speech during the gala.

"As king, he has dedicated his life to serving his country," she said.

"As a father, he has given me and my siblings the gift of truly understanding what that service is: a great responsibility – but also a joy and an honour.

"To serve Sweden has been, and continues to be, not just your life's work, but your calling. I will do everything I can to pass that understanding on to the next generation. The next link in the chain.

"Dear Pappa, you are now entering your eighty-first year. For nearly fifty-three years, you have been King of Sweden.

"You have seen crises come and go, watched Sweden and the world change and evolve. You have gone from always being the youngest in the room to the most senior one. You are now the one who represents continuity, the long-term perspective."

King Carl XVI Gustaf has been on Sweden's throne for 53 years and is Europe's longest reigning monarch.

Next month he and Queen Silvia will mark their own joint milestone.

On June 19, the King and Queen will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. A day of festivities are planned for June 13, including a church service and a carriage ride through the city.

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