Daniel's Future: Discussion (his role, title, orders, pressure etc.)

[Lena]

I can´t imagine that he could keep his gym. Think of all the fuss, when it was claimed, that Victoria "worked" as pr-girl for Daniel´s gym. And so far she´s just his girlfriend.
But maybe he could find a task as prince, where he could live out his strong interest for sports. For example as head of an organisation, which "fetch away" teenagers from the streets, and offers them opportunities to do sports. Or maybe he could work as "ambassador" for Olympia.

 

[Alexandria]

Public View of Daniel Westling

I know the King and Queen have accepted and welcomed Daniel as part of Victoria's life but what is the word on the street in Sweden about Daniel's appropriateness or suitability for the role? He strikes me as someone who intensely cares for his privacy (who can blame him) and would find palace life and the life of being the Queen Reageant's consort quite limiting and confining. He never looks all that happy or comfortable when photographed with Victoria when they are out and about. I sympathize with him that it must be annoying, but when I think about how Mary, Letizia, Maxima, etc. have reacted I think its a very different approach. The ladies, while they may not care for it at times, don't seem to scowl as much as Daniel does. Even if they were clenching their teeth beneath the exterior of those pearly white smiles, they still put on a bit of a show. There is something to be said for an individual who doesn't fake his or her feelings but considering the very public role Daniel would be taking on, I think in some cases it is appropriate and even necessary to grin and bear it no matter how you truly felt inside.

Or perhaps do you think that in time Daniel will adjust, adapt and learn to live with the press presence in his life? Mette-Marit is the most recent royal who comes to mind who seemed to despise the press in the beginning of her relationship with Haakon. She, too, often scowled at the press, particularly when they followed her trips to the park with Haakon and her son. But in recent years I think she's gotten better at either hiding her true feelings about the press or just gotten so used to it it doesn't faze her anymore.

 

[Lena]

"The word on the street"...an interesting question and hard to answer...maybe the Swedes can say something to it (is Daniel W. a topic in your social circles? And when yes, which opinions do people have)

Hm, I´m not sure if I would still agree, that Daniel is really unhappy with the idea to become a prince.
As you can see in the picture above Daniel is posing for the camera...maybe not really happy looking, but he did.
And in the beginning of this summer he has started to talk to the press. And has given very cryptic answers on the questions of a reliable swedish journalist (e.g. "Och den dag saker och ting händer så kommer det också att märkas"-"And on the day, on which things/something happen, you/the ppl will note it")
It looks as if Daniel has started to enjoy the game with the press. I even wonder if this wasn´t the case from the very beginning. I don´t want to allege that he has/had dishonest motives...but I think that Daniel Westling is far more a guy, who seeks for a challenge and who loves it to socialize with people, than a shy boy from a mini-town in the middle of nowhere.

 

[GrandDuchess]

My apprehension of the Swedes feelings for Daniel Westling is this: they (or shall I say we) are not jumping with joy about him, but they/we accept him because he is the choice of our Crown Princess (at least this far).

BUT - I think that if Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel decide to marry at one point, Daniel will have an extremely tough time ahead of him. Because once the engagement comes, I expect that the people will have big expectations on him.

He will be expected to be what he is not today (his clothes, nicer to the press, more open etc.) quite immediately. So he has a lot to learn if before an announcement like that. Also the way our Crown Princess is must make it even harder for her future husband – she always does a lot of work in the Royal Family and wants to do her best at all times – this means that her husband will have to put in the second half of the work to make them a good working couple.

The press will not have much patience, the people maybe a little more – but the expectations will be big.

And yes, Daniel Westling is a topic on and off in my circles at least – but maybe not with the most positive comments… For myself, I accept Daniel because I want our Crown Princess to be able to love whomever she chooses and he is now her choice – nothing more, nothing less.

 

[Lena]

Thank you for your opinion and your impressions, GrandDuchess.

Hm, I´ve thought the Swedes would feel at least a little bit proud, that Victoria might choose a Swede. But I also see, that his education is a problem...as you´ve said Victoria is a high achiever...and all the politicians, ambassadors and economy people around the Royal family had an first class education. And those people were chosen, because they have the competence to do their job. Daniel would be chosen out of love...actually a wonderful and romantic reason...but he also will be measured with the standards, which are "common" for people in high positions.
I also think, that it will be/is harder for Daniel, because he´s a man. Alexandria has said, that the crown princesses seemed nicer, when they met the press (before their weddings)...isn´t it always for a girl "easier" to be nice...or at least it´s more common...the women are the ones, who smile permanently, who hug little kids, who "beam" in the limelight through their elegance, their style...men are more in the background. But I guess it´s not easy to win hearts from the background. You´ve 3 possibilities...1) you stay there and suffer from it that you´re only the "shadow" (maybe you would get credit from the ppl for that...like the late prince Claus from the Netherlands)
2) you try to attract attention (here for a woman it would be easy...buy some exclusive Gucci-gowns, do some charity and smile)...but then it could be that the people would criticize you, because you put the attention away from the real sovereign and because you seem too arrogant, attention-seeking etc.
or 3) you find a balance between 1 and 2.

I guess number 3 is the best way, but the most difficult to achieve. And if Daniel would be diplomatic and wise enough to do it this way and to try hard is the big question...only time would/will show.

 

[Cissan]

My image of the Swedes' opinion of Daniel is that the older generation, like my parents and grand parents are not so happy about him. They think "he will bring down the monarchy".

I, on the other hand, am so happy to see Victoria smiling and in love so I really wish that they will get married so that he can continue making her this happy for the rest of her life.

And then we have the socialists in Sweden, which is a big group that neither myself or my family is a part of. The newspaper Aftonbladet where Daniel Nyhlén works is a socialist paper. This group is quite happy for this relationship I believe. They like the fact that there might be a working class boy as a prince regnant one day.

However, this is just how I belive that people feel. Other Swedes might have a different opinion.

 

[Lena]

Thank you for your opinion and impressions too, Cissan.
I should have asked this question long before...I mean we have discussed "Daniel & the press", "Daniel and the people" and "Daniel and the Royal court" a few dozens time, but it´s hard for foreigners to get an real idea, a real "picture"...and there you, the Swedes, are a great help.
Maybe Yennie and Josefine can also add, what they think (of course only if you want )

 

[mgrant]

Will he be a consort?

 

[MoonlightRhapsody]

By the way, I know this was discussed previously, will he be a consort?

Yes. He won't be titled as "King" because it has a connotation as being higher in rank than "queen", so like Henrik of Denmark and Claus of the Netherlands, he would have the title "Prince Consort".

 

[hrhcp]

... he would have the title "Prince Consort".

BTW ... what's Silvia's official title, "Queen" or "Queen Consort" ?

 

[mktv2000]

Her title is "Queen"

 

[hrhcp]

I was afraid you were going to say that.

I was trying to work up an excuse for Daniel to go around and let himself be called "King Consort".

I mean, if the wive of a king is allowed to call herself queen, how fair is it for the husband of a queen to be called a prince consort?

 

[Lena]

Daniel and the press

If the king would act more charming, would the press immediately start to write nice things about him? Or when the press would write nice articles on him, would he start to act friendlier.
IMO it´s not just the fault of the press, or Carl Gustaf´s "boring" look. There are kings, who get positive feedback!

The same for Daniel Westling. Would he smile and start to stop his angry looks, if they would write nice things about him and would they write in a nicer way about him, when he would smile???

 

[MoonlightRhapsody]

You know, I'm getting the impressions that the media isn't too fond of Daniel very much. I'm sure he smiles more often, but I guess those pictures aren't as profitable as catching him in a bad mood. I often wonder just how much the media likes to twist things to their advantage.

 

[hrhcp]

Yes, but who should start? The king

When I see pictures of the King up to before the children turned 18, he appeared to be of good disposition.

What has compelled him to turn sour - lack of media attention ?

 

[Dennism]

I won´t speak for others but enlightened opinion has told me that the king is rather bored in his job. Think about it. He has had this job for 31 years. He has known that he would get that job for another 20 years before that. Maybe just a bit of boredom is creeping in. Also there´s the point of the media. He rarely gives interviews as has been noted before and I have a feeling that photographers belong for him on the Dante´s 9th circle of hell as well. Not least of all because of all of the trouble they have caused his family through the years. A protective father. We should admire that. I recall reading a book that there was an incident a few years after he and Silvia were married where he was light-hearted or spontaneous(think of Mary´s flying hat) and in the book, they said that Silvia largely loosened him up as we say in the American vernacular and that such a moment could never have happened before they were married. Also we know that two of his children have had a certain shyness about them. And even Madeleine, bless her, I suspect there is something shy about her that will come closer to the surface as the years pass. This shyness is no doubt inherited from their father.

 

[Idriel]

Hi!
I would like to know if swedes are happy about DW becoming their next Prince Consort.
Is he popular?
I don't want to be mean but I really don't like him, so what's the feeling in Sweden?
Thankx

 

[Lena]

Hi!
I would like to know if swedes are happy about DW becoming their next Prince Consort.
Is he popular?
I don't want to be mean but I really don't like him, so what's the feeling in Sweden?
Thankx

I think the Swedes here should answer this. We had this before, but maybe the public opinion has changed?

 

[Lena]

Article on Daniel and his business:
http://www.expressen.se/index.jsp?a=298915

Fast translation by me:

Now Daniel wants to become the king of gyms

Crown princess Victorias boyfriend Daniel Westling, 31, doesn´t think about being a prince one day
No, he aims higher than this. He wants to become king. The king of gyms.
Daniel Westling owns 70% (haven´t we read, that Benny owns the bigger part of the cake?) of the health and training-business Master Training. There he fell in love with a sporty customer-the crown princess.
Now he´s putting in two top managers for his business-Gunnel Edenius, Information technology-boss for Länsförsäkringar (union of insurance companies) and Johan Ericsson, MD for Catella Property and a good friend to Daniels secret advisor Mats Jansson, manager for the Alex Johnson inc. [...]

Closes every month with a plus.
In Dagens Industri Daniel Westling tells, that he has enlarged his business with one more gym.
-We invested money in it, now it looks good. We close with a plus (asset) every month for both places.
-The health care (fitness) branch is a bit backwards in Sweden in comparison to other countries. We want to reach a bigger target group, he says to DI (maybe to cheapen the fees could help )
Daniel Westling has been an enterpriser for 5 years.
-I love ("burn for" in the original text) that, what I do, I want to make decisions and I want to carry things out. To control/manage things and to get them running, this is my driving force. *

"Talks never about customers"
Daniel says nothing about it, how the development of his business was influenced through being Victorias boyfriend.
-We never speak about our customers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Oioioi, the red marked text is either a smart strategy or it´s a stab directly into the heart of the crown princess.
I wonder, how this thing about the managers/advisors can be seen. Is he searching for advise because his business is growing so fast and so strong or is he searching for managing directors, so that he can concentrate on other things (???)

 

[Akilah]

I don't understand the problem with Mr. Wrestling. If he makes Victoria happy, then I'm happy for her and them both. I think young royals have learned that you marry who makes you happy not for lineage or names. Look Frederick, Felipe, Haakon and now Charles, they all have married how they loved in the end. I don't think that Wrestlings business deals has anything to do with anything because if they were questionable Victoria wouldn't be spending to much time with him. I am sure she has people looking after her best interest.

 

[mixer2002de]

Well but raising a business contradicts the expected engagement! As prince consort he cannot go to work at least not in a private business. If he would be state employed it would be well maybe ok I think. Even working at a private company would make the people suspicous I think!

 

[Lena]

I don't understand the problem with Mr. Wrestling. If he makes Victoria happy, then I'm happy for her and them both. I think young royals have learned that you marry who makes you happy not for lineage or names. Look Frederick, Felipe, Haakon and now Charles, they all have married how they loved in the end. I don't think that Wrestlings business deals has anything to do with anything because if they were questionable Victoria wouldn't be spending to much time with him. I am sure she has people looking after her best interest.

Hm, I think that´s here not the question. Ok, I´ve never made a secret out of the fact, that I would prefer an other guy for her. But in the end this really doesn´t matter. As you say it´s most important, that they are in love. And that both have an important "base" for the years, when the love will "weaken" (and it will). Then things like friendship, trust and passion for the things they do will count a lot.
And so I wonder (and that´s why I´ve marked the one part red) how Daniel will be able to deal with the complete change from being an independent enterpriser to being an hard controlled employee of the state and being inferior to the monarch (who will be later his own wife).
Ok, what I say here doesn´t matter for the two, but I though hope they will become happy with each other or at least satisfied.

 

[Danielle]

Well but raising a business contradicts the expected engagement! As prince consort he cannot go to work at least not in a private business. If he would be state employed it would be well maybe ok I think. Even working at a private company would make the people suspicous I think!

So what will he do if he gets married to Victoria? Accompany her on trips and set up a foundation or something?

 

[Lena]

Well but raising a business contradicts the expected engagement! As prince consort he cannot go to work at least not in a private business. If he would be state employed it would be well maybe ok I think. Even working at a private company would make the people suspicous I think!

Yes, here I´m with your Mixer. The DI-article doesn´t make it sound as if an engagement would come soon.
Well, maybe the interview is a bit older (??) or maybe this is pure strategy and Daniel wants to get out of the business with a "bang" and doesn´t want to give us too many signs in advance. Both are already giving many signs in their private life, so maybe he wants to be carefully with the business (??) Well, then it would be better not to talk to DI at all. I wonder, if he has any ideas, why he is interviewed of DI. Surely not because he is such an good enterpriser...I´ve checked their online archive. They haven´t featured any other gym. Even not the big chains, which own 10 gyms and more

 

[mixer2002de]

So what will he do if he gets married to Victoria? Accompany her on trips and set up a foundation or something?

Maybe I am mean but Victorias husband would be seen as the husband of the crown princess or later the queen if she gets queen. So he will have to handle with the fact that he would not be seen as independent person he just will be seen as add on of her. SO it will be a hard and long way to be seen as more than just the crown princesse's husband...

 

[mixer2002de]

Yes, here I´m with your Mixer. The DI-article doesn´t make it sound as if an engagement would come soon.
Well, maybe the interview is a bit older (??) or maybe this is pure strategy and Daniel wants to get out of the business with a "bang" and doesn´t want to give us too many signs in advance. Both are already giving many signs in their private life, so maybe he wants to be carefully with the business (??) Well, then it would be better not to talk to DI at all. I wonder, if he has any ideas, why he is interviewed of DI. Surely not because he is such an good enterpriser...I´ve checked their online archive. They haven´t featured any other gym. Even not the big chains, which own 10 gyms and more

Yeah I agree that DI would have wanted to find out something else so maybe it was a lame excuse that they wanted to make an interview about his business...

 

[Lena]

So what will he do if he gets married to Victoria? Accompany her on trips and set up a foundation or something?

and making every now and then cheeky comments like prince Philip or going to Ockelbo for sulking like a certain danish prince (who didn´t go to Ockelbo of course)
My guess is, that Daniel will do pretty much that, what the other prince consorts did. But I think he will focus a bit stronger on charity, then they did.
I´m sure (when he is the one) he will end up with a sports foundation, helping/supporting children and teenagers.
Maybe he will do some health campaigns (against smoking, drinking too much, eating unhealthy, couch potatoes) and will act as Co-author of books.
IMO doing this he would feel like a duck in the water and this would be the easiest way to come to an arrangement with the other "boring" things he has to do (attending galas, watching plays in theaters etc.)

 

[Lena]

Maybe I am mean but Victorias husband would be seen as the husband of the crown princess or later the queen if she gets queen. So he will have to handle with the fact that he would not be seen as independent person he just will be seen as add on of her. SO it will be a hard and long way to be seen as more than just the crown princesse's husband...

That´s interesting. I wish we could make a "males only"-poll on TRF, for which only the male members would answer...answering the question, if they would want to do the job or not.

 

[Danielle]

and making every now and then cheeky comments like prince Philip or going to Ockelbo for sulking like a certain danish prince (who didn´t go to Ockelbo of course)
My guess is, that Daniel will do pretty much that, what the other prince consorts did. But I think he will focus a bit stronger on charity, then they did.
I´m sure (when he is the one) he will end up with a sports foundation, helping/supporting children and teenagers.
Maybe he will do some health campaigns (against smoking, drinking too much, eating unhealthy, couch potatoes) and will act as Co-author of books.
IMO doing this he would feel like a duck in the water and this would be the easiest way to come to an arrangement with the other "boring" things he has to do (attending galas, watching plays in theaters etc.)

I know that I would be very upset at the thought of giving up my job (if I actually had one, ha ha ha), so I think Daniel setting up a foundation which kind of links in with his interests is a good idea. I don't know if I could see him co-writing books, but I could see him setting up fitness programs for children who are overweight, etc. Not only does he have 'expertise' in this are, but he will be doing a lot of good. But we never know; he could surprise us all and start up a "Music Appreciation Foundation" where he accompanies little kids to Destiny's Child concerts.

 

[Lena]

so I think Daniel setting up a foundation which kind of links in with his interests is a good idea. I don't know if I could see him co-writing books...

I must admit, I also can´t see him doing this. Then again I´m always surprised about his words in the few interviews, that he has given (of course it sounds better in Swedish than in the Lena-translations). His thesaurus is not that bad -well, after the many reports about his education, I´ve expected the worst

But we never know; he could surprise us all and start up a "Music Appreciation Foundation" where he accompanies little kids to Destiny's Child concerts.

Hahahaha, good one. I wish someone would give them a good sorted "music box" with many CDs and maye even some records for their wedding (just like the one MM and Haakon have gotten)
Well, I guess you (Danielle) and Alexandria would suggest an big full loaded ipod