'This is a joy for Sweden': archbishop

Archbishop Anders Wejryd called the birth of the new princess a "joy" and expert on the Royals, Sten Hedman, said the new baby is "just what the doctor ordered" as the congratulations started rolling in from all over the country.

• Live Blog: Sweden celebrates new princess (24 Feb 12)
• 'It's a girl': Prince Daniel (23 Feb 12)

"It is a joy every time a child is born," said Wejryd do TT on hearing about the birth of the new baby princess.

Wejryd met the new parents in connection with their wedding in 2010 and has met them several times since at official gatherings. He said the birth is also significant for the whole of Sweden.

"Sweden is a small country and this means a joy which always appear when a child is born that one has some connection to," he said.

According to expert on the Royals, Sten Hedman, the birth of the new baby marks a new start for the Swedish Royal Family.

"The Royal Family needs a new baby, that's what everyone has been longing for. The King has gone through dark times and the whole family has been affected and I think very many in Sweden think that this is great."

Spokesperson for the Green Party, Gustaf Fridolin, was one of the first to offer his congratulations.

"I congratulate the Crown Princess couple to what is the biggest thing. I wish the
new little family all the best and some peace and quiet."

Party leader for the Liberal Party (Folkpartiet) also offered his congratulations.

"I want to welcome Sweden's new princess to the world and send my warmest congratulations to the Crown Princess couple. To become a parent is a life-changing experience and I hope they will now get to enjoy this time," he wrote.

"A little princess. It is fantastic news for Sweden but above all for the new parents.(...) I want to send my warmest congratulations to the Crown Princess couple and hope they get to enjoy the moment," wrote Centre Party head Annie Lööf on Twitter.

Dan Eliasson, the head of Försäkringskassan, the government agency which deals with child allowance, also wanted to congratulate the couple.

"Congratulations on the birth of the little Princess! Försäkringskassan will pay out the first child allowance on March 20th. Read more on Försakringskasan.se," he tweeted.

Even the Swedish Republican Association (Republikanska Föreningen) are pleased for Victoria and Daniel.

"We are happy or the parents and all other parents who have given birth to children today," said chairman Peter Althin to TT.

"We will send along a wish for this girl, at the same time as welcoming her to the world, that she gets to rule her life the way she wants. I wish that for all children born today," said Althin.

Althin thinks that once the initial euphoria dies down, Sweden's citizens ought to ponder upon whether this is the way we ought to appoint our heads of state or if it ought to be done in a more "modern" way.

"This discussion will follow, but it can certainly wait a few days," said Althin to TT.