Here comes the bride...and groom

Prince Carlo Philip and his fiancee, Sofia Hellqvist, have released their first official portraits since their surprise engagement announcement at the end of June and show themselves to be the very image of calm composed coolness as the preparations for their wedding get under way.

Carl Philip and Sofia in a new official portrait

(photo Erika Gerdemark for kungahuset.se)

The decades to come will bring many more official photos but the soon to be princess shows she's ready for the close ups as she stands smiling at the camera in this first foray into royal portraiture with her husband to be.  Wearing royal blue and with impeccable hair and make up, Sofia takes another step into her new life.

Sofia of Sweden in her first official royal portrait

(photo Erika Gerdemark for kungahuset.se)

Of course, smiling for the camera in a palatial corridor or drawing room is no problem for her prince who has been posing for these portraits since he was a child. But these photos are a first chance for Carl Philip to introduce Sofia to the world of royal snapshots. 

He's done this before - Prince Carl Philip strikes a pose

(photo Erika Gerdemark for kungahuset.se)

They have a little while to wait for their formal wedding photos as they are due to marry at some point in 2015 although the exact date and the location of the marriage aren't yet known. But this royal couple in the making now have some very royal images of their own to mark the start of a royal life together.