LadyFinn
Imperial Majesty
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2007
- Messages
- 35,781
- City
- Southwest
- Country
- Finland
Daniel gave a long interview to Aftonbladet at Haga Palace, it was just published at the Aftonbladet website.
Prince Daniel: "Our society faces major challenges"
From Ockelbo to Haga Palace. In an exclusive interview at the home of Prince Daniel, he talks about the collaboration with the physicist Stephen Hawking, family life – and the perception of the official mission. Mattias Sandberg tells how Chamber master Jonas Wallin shows them into the hallway. Upstairs are the representation rooms. With the fireplace is a portrait of Princess Estelle.
Last summer Daniel started with Victoria Health organization Generation Pep. Now they have just released a promotional video with physicist Stephen Hawking. The purpose: to get people to move.
– Stephen Hawking is a documented wise person so we can talk about credibility to talk about one of the world's greatest problems, says Daniel.
Which one of you and Victoria have been mostly driven in this project?
- It's probably me who has been the most driven.
It is rarely the Royals are talking about class. But you have described health as a class issue. Why?
- I've been talking that health is unequal. And that is something that we have to change. It is distressing that people who already socially and economically have it tough are the ones to suffer from poorer health.
Do you think that part of the solution is another allocation policy?
- I can and do not want to go into those kinds of discussions. It is political in a way that I can't comment on.
So what can you do?
- It is incredibly complex. It should be clear. But now it feels more and more people start talking about health as a challenge and that children need to move more. Today one and a half billion people in the world suffer from overweight and obesity. And as a consequence of this more and more people suffer from type 2 diabetes. It is expected that additional 200 million will suffer from type 2 diabetes over the next 20 years. When it comes to solving the problem, there are studies that show that all social elements must contribute if you're going to have a chance. That's how hard it is. I feel that we have a good opportunity to act as a unifying force. That is why we have taken this initiative.
Your organization stresses the importance of healthy diet. How does a typical morning out with you at Haga Palace?
– One may well say that we are very normal when it comes to it, but we are also privileged and often have insight in how to eat, and we live in a rather healthy way.
This health initiative targets perhaps primarily at young people. What are you doing to reach them?
- We try to collect various parts of society, and are going to work with own initiatives. The idea is to invite to what we hope will be a popular movement with time.
You mentioned integration as a major challenge. What are your thoughts on it?
- It is no easy matter. It is very much about that there must be meeting places. We are pretty bad at socializing across borders. We are familiar with a family from Syria. When they describe how things are in Aleppo, which doesn't differ much from Stockholm with regard to development and education degree, they describe a society in which people are open and talking to each other. We are not always like that in Sweden. But one would wish that we would be a bit more interested. I think is a flaw. That integration will be successful, it requires of course that we succeed in many aspects. But I still stick to the personal. What we as human beings can do. It was an incredibly fine dedication in Sweden when the crisis was at its peak. Then many Swedes showed incredible commitment in various ways.
Many countries build walls, figuratively and literally. What are your thoughts on it?
- I and many others want to have a warm and open society. Where people care about each other and where you get the chance. But there are complex questions. We have had the opportunity to meet many refugees and unaccompanied children. I remember one occasion where children's family situation was discussed. A boy stretched out his hand and said "it's only me". He was all alone in the world, he had no one left. Many of the stories we receive make an everlasting impression.
Is it true that you and Victoria have supported and helped a refugee family who you met through Invitationsdepartementet?
- We are trying in various ways to support and Invitationsdepartementet makes it easy for anyone who wants to contribute.
What are your thoughts on your official duties as Prince?
- I will never feel "oh, how good I am". There is so much to do and I would like to contribute and participate and support and help in so many areas and become better at everything I do. But I feel that my areas of interest are very relevant and important for the society.
What are you most proud of?
- It's the little ones. As a parent, I am most proud of my children. And that I feel I am a good parent.
In addition to it?
- I'm not particularly proud of anything yet. But I hope that I'll be that after 40 years when I look back at what I've done. I'm very happy to have the opportunity to collect the committed and talented people in key social issues.
What do you think about that your children are growing up as the country's most public figures?
- I feel incredibly happy that I am married with such a warm, wise and very good person that is also a fantastic mom. Giving our kids an incredible confidence and great possibilities. It's much easier to grow up with two loving parents who spend a lot of time and energy and love to their children than to grow up in an environment where it is cold and there is no commitment.
This year, it is 15 years since you met Victoria for the first time. How would you describe your relationship today?
- We have it very well. I am grateful for our relationship.
You became historical when you as one of the first Royals took paternity leave. Isn't that a sign of weakness of the world's monarchies?
- My dad was on maternity leave with both me and my sister back in the early 70's. So for me, it was obvious to be home with my children. I do think that there are many occupations where there is a low parental leave among men. And I think that's a shame because you get the most out of being with their children and get to know them on the way. And you get an in-depth understanding of the woman who often takes the major responsibility. So I think it was quite right that I did that. I'll be on paternity leave with Oscar as well and I look forward to it.
What do you think you will achieve in concrete terms with your health initiatives?
- I think, and hope, that we can play an important role. But I don't think that it is only we who do it, but we are a unifying force, which leads many to think about these issues. And we must dare to believe that we can achieve health equity.
What do you think about screen time for your children?
- It was awesome last summer. We were out on the troll hunt. Pokémon Go. I wanted to really understand it and test the phenomenon. It's incredibly interesting how a sometimes criticized phenomenon - as playing - got kids to move. I welcome the technology development and I think kids have a lot to gain from playing. We have a games industry in Sweden we should be proud of. But it's important to have balance. Kids should exercise at least 60 minutes per day. And if we parents go out with our children, they will move. I haven't seen any statistics on it, but it was certainly tens of thousands of children and young people who came out. And we met with others at the Pokémon gym.
You can find new ways to move around with the help of technology?
– Absolutely. As to keep track of their steps in the phone.
How many steps do you go every day?
- Today I have gone 2 000 perhaps.
What is the goal?
– 10 000.
And you achieve this every day?
- No, no.
What a fiasco.
– Yes, it is super fiasco. But really, it's a simple thing. Little things that don't cost as much in terms of time, energy and money, can make a big difference. I think the philosophy should be to add positive habits instead of focusing on the negative. Such as a walk, drink water instead of soda.
Do you have a gym here on Haga?
- I have a little exercise gadgets.
Victoria is in better shape than you?
– Yes, it's clear.
It is quite rare that you are giving interviews out here.
– Yes, but now we felt that it was the time. It is important to convey that we must move more. Sit less still and eat better. It is the simple answer to a complex question.
Daniel says also that he has the world's most exciting role, he misses nothing that has been and he has always known he would get involved in health issues. They talk also about how GEN-PEP uses social media and how the Royal House uses social media and how the royal family is seen in those. About should the Royal House become more open and more modern than it is now Daniel says that he thinks they are very open and accessible. For him it's more important to be relevant than modern. They talk also about the role of the royal family.
Prins Daniel_ ”Vårt samhälle står inför stora utmaningar” _ Nyheter _ Aftonbladet
Translation
Prince Daniel: "Our society faces major challenges"
From Ockelbo to Haga Palace. In an exclusive interview at the home of Prince Daniel, he talks about the collaboration with the physicist Stephen Hawking, family life – and the perception of the official mission. Mattias Sandberg tells how Chamber master Jonas Wallin shows them into the hallway. Upstairs are the representation rooms. With the fireplace is a portrait of Princess Estelle.
Last summer Daniel started with Victoria Health organization Generation Pep. Now they have just released a promotional video with physicist Stephen Hawking. The purpose: to get people to move.
– Stephen Hawking is a documented wise person so we can talk about credibility to talk about one of the world's greatest problems, says Daniel.
Which one of you and Victoria have been mostly driven in this project?
- It's probably me who has been the most driven.
It is rarely the Royals are talking about class. But you have described health as a class issue. Why?
- I've been talking that health is unequal. And that is something that we have to change. It is distressing that people who already socially and economically have it tough are the ones to suffer from poorer health.
Do you think that part of the solution is another allocation policy?
- I can and do not want to go into those kinds of discussions. It is political in a way that I can't comment on.
So what can you do?
- It is incredibly complex. It should be clear. But now it feels more and more people start talking about health as a challenge and that children need to move more. Today one and a half billion people in the world suffer from overweight and obesity. And as a consequence of this more and more people suffer from type 2 diabetes. It is expected that additional 200 million will suffer from type 2 diabetes over the next 20 years. When it comes to solving the problem, there are studies that show that all social elements must contribute if you're going to have a chance. That's how hard it is. I feel that we have a good opportunity to act as a unifying force. That is why we have taken this initiative.
Your organization stresses the importance of healthy diet. How does a typical morning out with you at Haga Palace?
– One may well say that we are very normal when it comes to it, but we are also privileged and often have insight in how to eat, and we live in a rather healthy way.
This health initiative targets perhaps primarily at young people. What are you doing to reach them?
- We try to collect various parts of society, and are going to work with own initiatives. The idea is to invite to what we hope will be a popular movement with time.
You mentioned integration as a major challenge. What are your thoughts on it?
- It is no easy matter. It is very much about that there must be meeting places. We are pretty bad at socializing across borders. We are familiar with a family from Syria. When they describe how things are in Aleppo, which doesn't differ much from Stockholm with regard to development and education degree, they describe a society in which people are open and talking to each other. We are not always like that in Sweden. But one would wish that we would be a bit more interested. I think is a flaw. That integration will be successful, it requires of course that we succeed in many aspects. But I still stick to the personal. What we as human beings can do. It was an incredibly fine dedication in Sweden when the crisis was at its peak. Then many Swedes showed incredible commitment in various ways.
Many countries build walls, figuratively and literally. What are your thoughts on it?
- I and many others want to have a warm and open society. Where people care about each other and where you get the chance. But there are complex questions. We have had the opportunity to meet many refugees and unaccompanied children. I remember one occasion where children's family situation was discussed. A boy stretched out his hand and said "it's only me". He was all alone in the world, he had no one left. Many of the stories we receive make an everlasting impression.
Is it true that you and Victoria have supported and helped a refugee family who you met through Invitationsdepartementet?
- We are trying in various ways to support and Invitationsdepartementet makes it easy for anyone who wants to contribute.
What are your thoughts on your official duties as Prince?
- I will never feel "oh, how good I am". There is so much to do and I would like to contribute and participate and support and help in so many areas and become better at everything I do. But I feel that my areas of interest are very relevant and important for the society.
What are you most proud of?
- It's the little ones. As a parent, I am most proud of my children. And that I feel I am a good parent.
In addition to it?
- I'm not particularly proud of anything yet. But I hope that I'll be that after 40 years when I look back at what I've done. I'm very happy to have the opportunity to collect the committed and talented people in key social issues.
What do you think about that your children are growing up as the country's most public figures?
- I feel incredibly happy that I am married with such a warm, wise and very good person that is also a fantastic mom. Giving our kids an incredible confidence and great possibilities. It's much easier to grow up with two loving parents who spend a lot of time and energy and love to their children than to grow up in an environment where it is cold and there is no commitment.
This year, it is 15 years since you met Victoria for the first time. How would you describe your relationship today?
- We have it very well. I am grateful for our relationship.
You became historical when you as one of the first Royals took paternity leave. Isn't that a sign of weakness of the world's monarchies?
- My dad was on maternity leave with both me and my sister back in the early 70's. So for me, it was obvious to be home with my children. I do think that there are many occupations where there is a low parental leave among men. And I think that's a shame because you get the most out of being with their children and get to know them on the way. And you get an in-depth understanding of the woman who often takes the major responsibility. So I think it was quite right that I did that. I'll be on paternity leave with Oscar as well and I look forward to it.
What do you think you will achieve in concrete terms with your health initiatives?
- I think, and hope, that we can play an important role. But I don't think that it is only we who do it, but we are a unifying force, which leads many to think about these issues. And we must dare to believe that we can achieve health equity.
What do you think about screen time for your children?
- It was awesome last summer. We were out on the troll hunt. Pokémon Go. I wanted to really understand it and test the phenomenon. It's incredibly interesting how a sometimes criticized phenomenon - as playing - got kids to move. I welcome the technology development and I think kids have a lot to gain from playing. We have a games industry in Sweden we should be proud of. But it's important to have balance. Kids should exercise at least 60 minutes per day. And if we parents go out with our children, they will move. I haven't seen any statistics on it, but it was certainly tens of thousands of children and young people who came out. And we met with others at the Pokémon gym.
You can find new ways to move around with the help of technology?
– Absolutely. As to keep track of their steps in the phone.
How many steps do you go every day?
- Today I have gone 2 000 perhaps.
What is the goal?
– 10 000.
And you achieve this every day?
- No, no.
What a fiasco.
– Yes, it is super fiasco. But really, it's a simple thing. Little things that don't cost as much in terms of time, energy and money, can make a big difference. I think the philosophy should be to add positive habits instead of focusing on the negative. Such as a walk, drink water instead of soda.
Do you have a gym here on Haga?
- I have a little exercise gadgets.
Victoria is in better shape than you?
– Yes, it's clear.
It is quite rare that you are giving interviews out here.
– Yes, but now we felt that it was the time. It is important to convey that we must move more. Sit less still and eat better. It is the simple answer to a complex question.
Daniel says also that he has the world's most exciting role, he misses nothing that has been and he has always known he would get involved in health issues. They talk also about how GEN-PEP uses social media and how the Royal House uses social media and how the royal family is seen in those. About should the Royal House become more open and more modern than it is now Daniel says that he thinks they are very open and accessible. For him it's more important to be relevant than modern. They talk also about the role of the royal family.
Prins Daniel_ ”Vårt samhälle står inför stora utmaningar” _ Nyheter _ Aftonbladet
Translation
Last edited:
