Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf will lead his daughter, Crown Princess Victoria, to the altar at her wedding to Daniel Westling on June 19th.

The event has prompted huge international medIa attention, the
online newspaper The Local reports.

The unorthodox move has been roundly criticized by the Church of Sweden who has argued that the practice is not a Swedish wedding tradition and who claimed on Monday that the matter is not yet resolved.

It is the family's wish, according to the Royal Court spokesperson Nina Eldh. "This is a state ceremonial event with great symbolism, not an ordinary marriage. It is Sweden's king who is escorting the heir to the throne to the altar," she said.

The decision, which emerged in the media last week, has led to an unlikely alliance of traditionalists and feminists in a fight against what is widely viewed in Sweden as an American tradition exported by Hollywood.

Equality-conscious Swedes are used to the couple walking side-by-side to the altar as a demonstration of their equal standing in the proceedings and in life.

The Anglo-Saxon practice of "giving away" the bride from the father to the husband is widely regarded as outmoded and sexist.
But the Royal Court has rejected the Church of Sweden reasoning.

"There is nothing in the marriage ceremony or church regulations on how to walk to the altar. It is therefore up to them to decide what they want to do," Nina Eldh said.
It is also a family tradition, Eldh pointed out.
"The king's sister walked to the altar with grandad, as their father was no longer alive."

Over 500 foreign journalists have said they plan to come to Stockholm to cover the royal wedding. The international interest will make the wedding on June 19th one of the largest media events in Sweden for years.

The journalists, who have been accredited by the foreign ministry, will join foreign royals, an estimated 1,000 Swedish journalists and thousands of well-wishers in celebrating the first major royal wedding in Sweden since 1973.

The news will please Sweden's tourist and investment promotion agencies, which view the wedding as a unique opportunity to raise the country's profile abroad.

Media interest is greatest in Germany, with 141 German journalists accredited, officials said as they announced the wedding plans at Stockholm’s Royal Palace on Monday.

The Swedish royal family has long been popular among Germans, not least because Queen Silvia was born in Heidelberg. Large numbers of journalists are also expected from Norway, with 60 accredited, Finland (46), Britain (35), Spain (35) and France (31).

Somewhat surprisingly, 19 journalists are expected from Japan. Some 25 foreign television companies are accredited. The official guest list remains a secret, although officials said 1,100 people would be seated in Storkyrkan, Stockholm’s cathedral.

The guests include Swedish politicians, foreign dignitaries, diplomats and friends of the couple. The monarchs of Denmark and Norway are almost certain to attend the wedding, as is President Tarja Halonen of Finland.

Britain’s Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall are also likely to be among the guests, and it has already confirmed that British warship HMS Kent will be the only foreign ship to salute the royal couple from Stockholm harbor following the wedding.

The Local