Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland is the husband of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden. Before joining the royal family, he was a businessperson who owned and operated Balance Training, a company in Stockholm. He is now a public health advocate who founded the non-profit organization Generation Pep to encourage physical activity among children.
Born on 15 September 1973 at Örebro Hospital, Olof Daniel Westling entered the Swedish royal family following his marriage to Crown Princess Victoria in 2010. Before assuming his role as the Duke of Västergötland, he operated a private enterprise in Stockholm called Balance Training and worked extensively within the fitness industry as a personal trainer.
Early life and military service
Raised in Ockelbo, Westling is the son of Olle Westling and Ewa Westring. He completed his education at Perslundaskolan and undertook national conscription in the Swedish Army, serving at the Hälsinge Regiment in Gävle. Upon completing his 15-month service, he was honorably discharged as a second lieutenant. Prior to his business career, he worked as a care assistant at a nursing home and spent time at an after-school center for children with special needs.
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Westling and Crown Princess Victoria received formal consent for their marriage from King Carl XVI Gustaf and the Swedish government on 24 February 2009. The wedding was held at the Stockholm Cathedral on 19 June 2010. The couple resides at Haga Palace and has two children: Princess Estelle, Duchess of Östergötland, born in 2012, and Prince Oscar, Duke of Skåne, born in 2016.
Health and advocacy
In 2009, he underwent a successful kidney transplant at Karolinska University Hospital after suffering from a congenital kidney disease; his father served as the donor. Following this experience, he became an advocate for organ donation. He serves as honorary chairman of the Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation and acts as a patron for the International Society of Nephrology and More Organ Donation. In 2022, the Karolinska Institute awarded him an honorary doctorate for his public health work.
Entrepreneurial initiatives
The Prince Daniel's Fellowship project, launched in 2013 in partnership with the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences, facilitates visits to schools and universities to promote entrepreneurship. He also remains active in supporting youth health through the non-profit organization Generation Pep, which he established with the Crown Princess to encourage physical activity among children.
Fast facts
- Born: 1973, Örebro Hospital
- Marriage date: 19 June 2010
- Spouse: Crown Princess Victoria
- Children: Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar
- Religion: Lutheranism
- Language: Swedish
- Notable honor: Knight of the Order of the Elephant (2024)
- Former occupation: Gym owner
Questions readers ask
What was Prince Daniel's profession before marriage?
He was a businessperson and personal trainer who owned and operated Balance Training, a company with three gyms in central Stockholm.
Did Prince Daniel receive any academic honors?
Yes, the Karolinska Institute conferred an honorary doctorate upon him in 2022 for his contributions to public health advocacy.
