Princess Madeleine marries Chris O’Neill: Royal guests witness the event

Princess Madeleine and Chris O'Neill exchange a sweet kiss
after the ceremony. Image credit: Reuters

Princess Madeleine of Sweden and American banker Chris O’Neill sealed their exchange of “I do’s” with a kiss in front of royal guests, government officials, dignitaries, and high-profile New Yorkers who converged at Drotningholm Palace’s Royal Chapel to witness the event.

Princess Madeleine, 30, is the younger daughter and third child of King Carl XVI Gustav and Queen Silvia. Meanwhile, Chris O’Neill, 38, is a Manhattan banker.

The Washington Post reports that the wedding attracted “about 500 European royals and wealthy jet-setters.” Indeed, what more could crown such a regal event than have high-society’s crème de la crème rub elbows with one another? It’s the best time for “blue-blooded Europe [to] mingle with Manhattan's elite and a sprinkling of pop aristocracy,” Mail Online reports.

Chris O'Neill puts a ring on the princess' finger. Image credit: BPA

Princess Madeleine and Chris O'Neill after the wedding.
Image credit: Getty Images

The couple during the wedding ceremony.

Princess Madeleine waves to loyal onlookers.
Image credit: AFP/Getty Images

Princess Madeleine and Chris O'Neill while riding the carriage.
Image credit: Getty Images.

Hello describes the princess as “breathtakingly beautiful in a pleated silk organza gown with ivory-coloured Chantilly lace detailing by Valentino.” She wore a glittering tiara that “was softened with sprigs of orange blossom,” to match the wedding’s “summer meadow motif.” The chapel was festive with a profusion of floral decorations, as it was bursting with bright colors, too. Beech leaves, cow parsley, pink and white peonies, white lilacs, foxgloves, delphiniums and lilies of the valley were just overflowing.

The groom, meanwhile, was on the verge of tears while he was waiting for his lovely bride, who looked really ethereal while she was walking down the aisle, accompanied by her father, King Carl.

Hello described the newlyweds as “blissfully happy throughout the touching service.” The wedding was officiated by the Chief Court Chaplain and Bishop Emeritus Lars-Göran Lönnermark and Vicar of the Royal Court, Court Chaplain Michael Bjerkhagen.

Everyone was nearly brought to tears by the powerful hymns, prayers and sermons as they were “overwhelmed by the emotion and joy of the nuptials.”

After the 45-minute ceremony, the couple was proclaimed husband and wife. A 21-gun salute at nearby Skeppsholmen Island was fired afterwards each at a five-second interval.

The princess and her dashing prince charming were glowing with joy as they as they leave the chapel and shared a kiss in front of thousands of cheering locals.

They then rode a top horse-drawn carriage that brought them to the stunning harbor of nearby Gamla Stan, a quaint medieval town. They passed along streets lined by loyal well-wishers bedecked by blue and yellow flags.

They tend rode a royal barge, the very same barge that ferried Madeleine’s older sister, Crown Princess Victoria when she married Daniel Westling two years ago. The barge transported the couple to Drottningholm Palace where a private banquet was hosted by the King and Queen of Sweden.

Royalties from Denmark, Norway, The Netherland, Greece, Great Britain, Japan, Luxembourg and Monaco were present at the event. Meanwhile, People reports that O'Neill has also invited some of his mega-rich pals, including Opel heir Georg von Opel, Cadbury chocolate heir Joel Cadbury, Colombian billionaire Alejandro Santo Domingo, and Aidan and Fizzy Barclay.

Duran Duran band member John Taylor, the CEO of fashion retailer H&M, Karl-Johan Persson, and golfer Jesper Parnevik also graced the occasion.

O’Neill was said to have refused a royal title and made it known that he wished to remain an American citizen. The couple also announced that they prefer to live in New York.