8 Surprising Facts About Princess Sofia
Princess Sofia, 32, may be on your radar because she's Prince Carl Philip of Sweden's wife, but how much do you really know about the Swedish-born royal? Sofia and Carl tied the knot in June 2015, and welcomed their first child, Prince Alexander, in April 2016, but did you know that she used to be a model, or that she starred in a reality TV show? Keep reading and get to know Sofia and her surprising past.
:upscale()/2016/12/20/087/n/1922398/2e41c2595859d582a28052.31096692_FFN_Hellqvist_Sofia_STLA_061215_51771137.jpg)
She's a Former Model
Sofia was crowned Miss Slitz 2004 by the Swedish men's magazine Slitz, in which she appeared wearing nothing but bikini bottoms and a boa constrictor. There are various other reports of nearly nude photo shoots that she participated in during her teens.
She Was a Reality TV Star
Sofia was a contestant on the first season of the Swedish reality show Paradise Hotel in 2005, showing lots of skin during her time on camera.
:upscale()/2016/12/20/096/n/1922398/f853b86f5859d85b2ed8a2.90577994_GettyImages-626392172.jpg)
She Hasn't Always Lived in Sweden
After appearing on Paradise Hotel, she moved to NYC, where she became a yoga instructor and eventually opened her own studio and created her own line of clothing.
:upscale()/2016/12/20/087/n/1922398/0a49490c5859d5854939c4.01593548_GettyImages-476868076.jpg)
She Has Tattoos
Unlike most royals, Sofia has ink including a butterfly on her ribcage and a sun figure on her upper back.
:upscale()/2016/12/20/093/n/1922398/d53d1e525859d77e760897.02854577_GettyImages-476986308.jpg)
Her Relationship With the Prince Initially Turned Heads
Sofia and Prince Carl Philip reportedly began dating in 2009, though their relationship wasn't confirmed until 2010. He was supposedly still seeing Emma Pernald at the time they met. Her sexy past stirred speculation that the Swedish royal family was not pleased with Prince Carl Philip's choice, though Sofia says she "felt welcome from day one."
:upscale()/2016/12/20/094/n/1922398/d1686b985859d7fe673779.15817750_GettyImages-491459404.jpg)
She Hasn't Followed Tradition
She and Prince Carl Philip started living together well before they got engaged. They moved into a private estate in Sweden in 2011 and have a border terrier named Siri.
:upscale()/2016/12/20/093/n/1922398/e2ec00f35859d77f8a1a67.65573230_GettyImages-491459354.jpg)
She's Charitable
Sofia has gotten involved in the nonprofit organization Project Playground, which provides safe places for children to play and learn in Cape Town, South Africa. She and Prince Carl Philip also requested that donations were made to the Prince Couple's Foundation in lieu of wedding gifts in 2015.
:upscale()/2016/12/20/093/n/1922398/18b852ce5859d77ca91e56.14269517_GettyImages-628938446.jpg)
She Enjoys the Perks of Royal Life
Sofia soaked up the sun on a yacht vacation with Prince Carl Philip and friends shortly after announcing their engagement in Summer 2014.