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Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria Christens Baby Estelle

Tara Block — Tue, 22 May 2012 11:25:00 PDT

Queen Elizabeth II isn't the only female monarch in Europe celebrating milestones this year. Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria and her husband of two years - her former personal trainer Daniel Westling - welcomed a baby girl in February, and today she and the rest of the Swedish royal family attended baby Princess Estelle's christening at the royal chapel in Stockholm.

Princess Estelle is second in line to the Swedish throne after her mother, thanks to the succession law that was changed in 1980 to allow the eldest heir to inherit the throne, even if the firstborn is a woman. Currently, Princess Victoria is the world's only female heir apparent, but if Prince William and Kate Middleton have a daughter, she may follow in Princess Victoria's footsteps. The UK's rules of royal inheritance are in the process of changing to allow firstborn girls to reign even if they have younger brothers. All 16 Commonwealth realms must come together to put the law into action - and until they do, Will and Kate's firstborn, if it's a girl, may or may not be in line for the throne. Some speculate that the uncertainty is the reason Will and Kate have been postponing having children, something that traditionally happens right after the marriage.

While we wait to find out how female royalty will fare in the UK, check out more photos of Sweden's little Princess Estelle during her christening ceremony now!

Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria Has a Baby Girl

Annie Scudder — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 14:37:36 PST

Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria had a baby girl last week, and today the royal family released the first photos of the little princess! Princess Victoria, 34, is the eldest child of King Carl XVI Gustaf and her new daughter, Estelle Silvia Ewa Mary, is second in line after her.

In 1980, when Princess Victoria was only 2, Sweden altered its rules of succession to allow the eldest child to inherit the throne regardless of gender. So Victoria will become Sweden's monarch, instead of her younger brother Prince Carl Philip, and one day her newborn daughter will inherit the throne. Right now, Princess Victoria is the world's only female heir-apparent. In 2010, she married her former personal trainer, Daniel Westling, on her parent's 34th wedding anniversary, after dating for eight years. On Thursday, Daniel told reporters, "When I left the room the little princess was sleeping on her mother's chest and they were looking very cozy."

See more photos of the newest Swedish princess as well as tons of the happy parents from over the years.

Home Away From Home: Stockholm's Berns Salonger Hotel

Julia Millay Walsh — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 10:09:11 PDT

When I visited Stockholm as a student, I holed up in a cozy houseboat hostel on the river which, while quaint and charming, wasn't the best bet for someone with a seasick tendency. I vowed to make sure my next stay in the Swedish city was on land, and hopefully, somewhere a little more upscale.

Since I discovered Berns Salonger Hotel, a landmark in the city since 1863, I've been crafting plans for a Scandinavian vacation that'll blow those college days out of the water. One look at the elegant boutique hotel's unique, contemporary, and fresh interiors and I became determined to return. The hip accommodations also feature conference and banqueting facilities, a vibrant Asian restaurant and Summer terrace, popular bars, and the nightclub Gallery 2.35:1, one of the best music venues in town. It's also the location of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Stockholm, which might sway you fashionistas to visit.

Whether you have a European getaway in your future, or you're just looking for inspiration for you own interior décor, this Swedish home away from home is definitely eye candy for design fanatics. Come take a look!

Coveted Crib: A Collector's Casa in Malmö

Julia Millay Walsh — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 12:50:00 PST

In general, I associate the word "collector" with "hoarder." I don't imagine people who stockpile their action figures or No. 2 pencils to have the most stylish or well-kept homes. But there's a couple in Malmö, Sweden, who are totally going against the grain of my imagined stereotype. Jenny Hedén and Martin Widén collect plastic hockey figures, vinyl records, kinderägg pieces (the little toys that come inside of German chocolate candy eggs), liquor bottles, and more. But there's no cringe-worthy closets or excess of kitsch in their apartment. The contradiction is that though they are collectors, their home is very organized, pared-down, and modern. Their décor is so restrained that they don't even have pillow shams on their bed. Take the full tour of their impressive pad below!

View 5 Photos ›

Tell me . . . are you a collector? How do you keep your collections from cluttering up your home? Do you have any tips for us?

Source

Sex by Surprise Not Illegal, but a Bad Translation of Swedish Slang

Colleen Barrett — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 11:00:48 PST

Last week we were surprised there was a Swedish law against a man refusing to wear a condom after a woman asks him to, dubbed "sex by surprise." Reports swirled, saying WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was not wanted for rape in Sweden, but just a count, or two, of surprise sex that was nothing more than a fineable offense.

Today we learn that the sex-by-surprise story was spun by Assange's lawyer, Mark Stephens, who told an AOL reporter that was all he was accused of. "Whatever 'sex by surprise' is," Stephens said, "it's only a offense in Sweden - not in the UK or the US or even Ibiza."

But then how could he be held without bail, since no charges against his WikiLeaks shenanigans have been filed? Well, it turns out "sex by surprise" is nowhere to be found in Swedish law. It's really a bad translation of överraskningssex, Swedish slang for rape, which has positive connotations and is used to discuss the form of assault jokingly.

So what is Assange accused of? Find out below.

What Is "Sex by Surprise"?

Colleen Barrett — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 12:10:13 PST

Believe it or not, sex by surprise is actually not an euphemism for rape. It is sex without a condom after a woman requests it - even if the sex is consensual - and it's fine-able in Sweden by 5,000 kronor (about $715).

This is what WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange, is actually accused of, and not rape. Though the rape charges were dropped in August, accusations of rape have been popping up since he became America's most wanted tattletale last week for releasing classified State Department documents.

That drama aside, I am intrigued by sex by surprise. Guys go back on condom promises all the time; if he isn't forcing himself on a woman, isn't she equally at fault?

Is Giving a Bride Away Sexist or Sweet?

TresSugar — Tue, 25 May 2010 16:29:36 PDT

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden is upsetting elders and the Church of Sweden because of an odd wedding request she's made: she wants her father, King Carl XVI Gustaf, to give her away at her wedding next month.

Of course, in the US many brides worry about asking their fathers not to walk them down the aisle, but Sweden considers the practice sexist. Priest and theologian, Annika Borg, is disappointed in the princesses choice. "The idea of the couple entering the church together symbolizes that the man and the woman are entering the marriage of their own free will," she said. "In the future it is going to be very hard for us to resist requests from brides who want to be given away."

So, wedding tradition aside, is dad giving daughter away on her wedding day sexist or sweet?

Source: Flickr User DenaL

Is the Millennium Trilogy the Next Twilight?

TresSugar — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:34:21 PDT

You've probably seen the Millennium Trilogy in bookstores, our must-read list, or the number-one slot on the New York Times bestseller list, but did you know it has a rabid following in Europe rivaling Twilight? And now the movies are coming.

The thrillers, which feature a disgraced journalist and a 22-year-old woman who grew up with an ex-Soviet spy for a father, were originally written in Swedish, but have been translated into 37 languages. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (though its exact Swedish-to-English translation is "men who hate women") film is being released in the US tomorrow, but it's in Swedish.

Will Americans squint for its subtitles? Maybe. Maybe not. But Hollywood doesn't care; its English version is already in the works.

Coveted Crib: Exotic, Monochrome, and Glamorous

CasaSugar — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 11:00:33 PST

The word "neutral" lives in danger of bringing to mind "plain," but Danish fashion designer Malene Birger has managed to create a magical home for herself using nearly all achromatic hues like black, white, and beige. Artwork, candles, silver, accessories, flea market finds, texture, and plenty of textiles play an important role in bringing liveliness to her home, while the calm palette offers a sense of harmony. Beyond that, every room has a keen sense of balance - rugs in just the right place, artwork framing furniture, and seating arranged for dialogue. If her chic living room makes you smile, then you'll love the rest of her house.

Coveted Crib: Comfortably Cool in Lärkstan

CasaSugar — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 10:00:12 PST

With pale pastel walls throughout, an unusual mix of artwork and photographs, and statement-making light fixtures, this Stockholm home is captivating yet calm. But its form follows function; the home is filled with smart, convenient furnishings like plush sofas, task lighting, and an old mechanics tool cabinet storing art essentials that just make life easier. In each room, you'll find something surprising and full of personality, such as a ballet tutu used as a pendant shade, a color-coordinated bookcase, or a figurine sitting atop a stovetop vent. Intrigued yet? Take the full tour.