Dagens Nyheter has now opened Daniel's interview published last Friday, to be able to read for everyone for free.
Here is some parts of it:
Prince Daniel tells about hos he and Victoria launched GEN-PEP. Both he and his wife, Crown Princess Victoria, have noticed the differences during their travels in the country.
- It's a paradox. We belong to those who exercise most in Europe, and to those who are most sedentary. We have good conditions, we are getting more and more aware. Those who already have it tough financially and socially, they are those who always suffer from disease and even then have it most hardest. You can feel that it is so unfair.
The research confirms the health gaps. Prince Daniel has taken the impression of Scapis (Swedish cardiopulmonary bioimage study). It is a unique study in which all six university hospitals collaborate to study the presence of cardiovascular disease and lung diseases with studies of 30,000 people.
GEN-PEP's latest initiative is a book by Josefine Sundström and Emma Göthner with Bonnier Carlsen. "Fiffiga kroppen och finurliga knoppen" is about how Saga tries to embroider an S and is sent out to play. After an adventurous moment in the fresh air, the task goes a lot better. Readers will also learn about the body and the brain, and some tips on fun everyday games. The book will be given to 4-5 year olds in Stockholm.
- I've read it for Estelle and she loves it. Just reading for your children is so incredibly important. This time I personally value so high, when you are close and you talk about everything possible. I see this as a little inspiration and education. How easy it is to take the kids out. This spontaneous plays which are so important. It's about adding positive habits. It permeates our thinking. We know it's so hard to take away the bad habits.
When a successful gym owner marries a crown princess, he had to say farewell to his life as an entrepreneur. It took nine years from the first meeting to the wedding, so he had time to think.
- I feel I've found right, he says.
His life has taken the most special of turns. However, his interest in sport and health forms a straight line from growth to today.
- You don't choose the career I did if you don't have passion to change people's health. I have devoted all my adult life to it. As a teenager, I also trained and wrote training programs to others and tried to inspire friends and my surroundings to live healthy. I knew early that I would work with people and sports and health.
Even during his kidney illness, he tried to keep himself physically fit, albeit at a low level. He sees it as an example of how people adapt to the conditions. He takes gladly this opportunity to encourage others with positive experiences from the transplant.
- If I am at hospital and samples are taken, I usually ask the doctor if they can plan so that I can meet some families and children to go through this. Then I can be a good example of how it can go. It has almost given me more gratitude and humility to life than my own situation. Because it went quite sharply anyway.
I think that the former gym owner Daniel Westling entered to the new prince role with entrepreneur's eyes. He doesn't protest against that description.
- That's how it is. Absolutely. I have the ability to want and dare to do things and test. I wouldn't feel good if I didn't try to make the most of my possibilities. Then we'll see. Come back in 30 years and see if I've done anything. I have never thought "What should I do?" We make lots of exciting things, with our travels and meetings with people. We try to draw attention to important issues. There is so much to do. It is important to prioritize and do things that make a difference. It is one of the strengths of our form of government that we have the ability to give joy and draw attention. But then you have to like it. It's very easy if you think it's fun. You have to think it's fun to come out here at school and meet teachers and students.
Has that role always felt comfortable?
- I have been an executive at work in various contexts, and got my staff to enjoy and create energy and meet people. Just like my dad. We are very similar, he and I. He is also social and thinks it's fun with people and to create energy.
Olle Westling worked as a Social Manager. He has never given interviews about his relationship with the royal family. But after a few hours at Bällstabergsskolan, I think that with his work with vulnerable people he has been an important source of inspiration for a future prince.
A prince who has grown up in the country - what perspective it brings to the royal family?
- Maybe the king or queen should answer to that. They are Stockholmers who have been the most in rural areas, traveled around. I think they understand as well as I how it is in rural areas. At the same time, it is clear that I am very pleased that my wife has her background, and I have mine, and they are very different. I think we give our children very good things through it. I have worked with children with special needs, I have worked with senior citizens, I have run my own business. It has enriched me very much. And those are experiences that I have a lot of joy in the role I have now.
In December, the Crown Princess couple released a film where they and the children wished a Merry Christmas from a sizzling sausage grill in Tyresta National Park.
- We would like to inspire. We have incredible environments close to us, even we who live in big cities. We like to be out in nature and want our children to have the same opportunities we have had to feel safe in that environment, says the prince.
Prins Daniel om sina sju år i kungafamiljen - DN.SE
Translation
Thank you for sharing that little tidbit, LadyFinn. I think it's nice that Victoria still lets people take photos with her on private occasions such as this. A good conversation starter for the man at the dinner table!
