Interviews with Members of the Royal Family

[Yennie]

Originally Posted by Lyle

So is the king offended that people just say "du" sometimes instead of calling him king? Maybe he thinks that people are kind of disrespectful to call him "du"?

I think so

[GrandDuchess]

Translated by me from the weekly magazine Svensk Damtidning.

Svensk Damtidning’s reporter Jenny Alexandersson has followed Victoria during the visit to Brazil. Here she gets an exclusive chat with her. Victoria takes a seat in the sofa and stretches out her tanned legs. “There hasn’t been time to sunbathe yet, but I think the time will come”. Victoria feels that her legs are pale, but they really aren’t! If one has some Brazilian genes in the body, one probably never do get really winter pale.

What does Brazil mean for the Crown Princess?
- It means a lot of course. My grandmother came from here and of course there are strong feelings when it comes to Brazil and its people and culture. They are a happy and liveable people who are closely attached to singing and dancing.

Has the Crown Princess inherited any of this through mother and grandmother?
- Yes, I hope so. Something must’ve rubbed off! I’m proud of having many different nationalities in me.

Does the Crown Princess speak Portuguese?
- No, unfortunately I don’t. I know Brazilian children’s songs, but one doesn’t’ get very far with them here. I actually tried to sing some children’s song at the Abrigo that we visited, and there were three wide-eyed children who listened, but they looked very questioning. I don’t think that went home anywhere, haha!

Did the Queen sing for you siblings when you were little?
- Yes, mother sang a lot. Especially Brazilian lullabies on Portuguese, and grandmother did as well. But when we spoke to grandmother we always spoke in German.

The Crown Princess will stay a few days more in Brazil. What will you do then?
- I will meet up with my mother so that we get to spend time with each other and meet the relatives a bit. Among things, we’re going to meet mother’s 94-year-old aunt and many many others, Victoria says with a laugh.

Do you have close contact with the Brazilian relatives?
- Yes, but that’s through mother. It means a lot to her, having contact with her relatives.

And your father turns 60 soon! Does the Crown Princess think she has inherited anything from dad as well?
- Yes, dad turns 60, that will be really nice! I think I have more of him in me. Most people usually point out that I’m very like my father in my way of being, and that we have the same sense of humour. But I think I’m a pretty good mix between my parents really.

What role does the Crown Princess have in the family?
- I think I’m the typical big sister, in good and bad. Especially when I was younger and mother and father were away a lot, I think I was a pretty strict big sister, and a pretty hard one too.

In which way?
- I think I was a bit of the “little mother”, but my siblings have said that “you weren’t that bad”. But I think they thought I was pretty heavy, haha!

Does the Crown Princess think anything about the future and how your role will be then?
- I often think of the great responsibility and heritage that comes with the role. But I look at the situation I am in today with joy, that one has a possibility to help so many and be there and do something for Sweden. It’s a great honour to be able to represent Sweden.

Is it difficult to find a balance between work, family and friends?
- I think that many are experiencing a difficulty in finding a balance. On the other hand, our whole family knows what it means, we are in similar situations all of us. We have many things that we can ask each other for advice about. It’s an advantage and a safety for me in order to learn from mother and father’s experiences.

Are there other relatives or royal colleagues that are close to the Crown Princess?
- Yes, we have a good relationship to the Royal Families around, and therefore it’s important that we meet. It never happens as often as one wishes, but when we do see each other we take the opportunity in asking each other for advice. But via the phone is fine too.

Elisabeth Tarras-Wahlberg ends the interview, it’s time for Victoria to step onboard the boat that will take her out on the sea to wave goodbye to her “godboat” Ericsson. Victoria chitchats about the trip tips us about egg white as a cooling method for burnt skin if one has been too long in the sun.
- My grandmother tipped me about that, the egg white pulls the evil out of the body in some way, and it’s an old reliable method.

Considerately she warns us about lying down on the beach when it’s cloudy.
- Mother has said that it’s more dangerous then because there are more particles in the air that reflect the air. It’s hard, but one learns from experience! She says with laughter, aiming at her burnt reddish arms.


Victoria quotes from the long article accompanying the pictures (of which I think most of them have been posted) in the magazine:

- I have contact with my relatives via mother. They don’t visit in Sweden very often, it’s a long trip, but they usually come home to us when there are big birthdays.

- Mother has cheese buns in the freezer at home, they are “holy” and no one touches them. They can lie there a long time, and then suddenly it’s been three months since the best-before date passed. I’ll have to get my own cheese buns to take home with me!

[GrandDuchess]

This interview was translated by me from its original Swedish version. It was performed by TT (news agency) and published by newspapers around the country. I have translated it from the newspaper Stockholm City.


Picture by TT

King Carl Gustaf – 60 years in time

STOCKHOLM. King Carl XVI Gustaf soon turns 60 years old. Before the birthday he met TT (news agency) at the Royal Palace of Stockholm.

Soon to be 60 years, King Carl Gustaf contemplates on his family history, leadership and philosophical issues – at the same time as he represents Sweden, tries to help Crown Princess Victoria in her education to become Queen, and plans to breed beef cattle.

TT has met an active and relaxed King before his birthday.

- I remember so well when the Crown Princess turned 27, and I told her a little jokingly that “You should know that in your age I succeeded my grandfather”.

- She was quite terrified. She probably didn’t feel mature for that – which one perhaps never does.

The King laughs a little and changes his position in the green silk sofa in his audience room. It is a late afternoon at the Royal Palace of Stockholm and the time runs quickly. We talk about the brain’s development, the King’s upbringing, about the reflective calm in skiing and about leadership. Just in time for his birthday, the King is starting the foundation Young Leadership, on the initiative of The Swedish Scout and Guide Council, a fundraising to benefit young people’s education in leadership.

- We have to support those who work voluntarily with moral and ethics among young people, the King says.

- It is the wrong type of youth leader who are seen. Those who are in the media the most become the new leaders. There are other values that should be held forward.

Back to the little boy who’s father died before he turned one and who grew up with four older sisters and a not completely present mother. The King thinks that his upbringing, without close male role models, has affected his own role as a father.

- I can’t give examples, but one tries to meet the children in the way one wants to be met.

Already in his younger years, the environmentally interested King said he wanted to become a farmer. He is hoping to actualise a part of that dream now at the estate Stenhammar, in cooperation with The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. The King is planning for organic breeding of beef cattle at the same time as he wants to focus on landscape care.

- It’s a long journey to create a better Swedish meet breed. Maybe I’m starting late, but one has to have the sight forward.

In the future also lies the prospect of having grandchildren. The King feels that turning 60 is a good milestone, a “reflecting moment”. When he was a child, the sisters awaked him with singing and cake in the morning – a tradition that his family has taken over.

- And the dogs as well, that belongs to the picture. They have nice bows around their necks on the birthday.

What does the King wish for?
- Nice weather. There will be many events outdoors; with good weather it will be nicer for all parts.

Quick Questions:

…. When does he have the most fun:
- I think it’s fun with innovation. When I see that there are new Swedish innovations that can have a chance to make it out on the world market, I think it’s incredibly exciting. (But it’s also fun to drive a car and listen to music, he avows.)

… How does he fetch energy:
- I go out into the forest and walk, readily with the dogs. Maybe it sounds ridiculous, but when one walks, skies or is out hunting, one gets to be alone for a longer period and sit and think about a lot of things.

… If he has ever wished himself out of his position:
- One would lie if one said there has never been times when one has wished to be in another situation. I guess that’s valid for all people in life.

… A nice nature experience:
- I was twelve, thirteen years old and me and my sister Christina was in Storlien. One night there was a full moon and northern lights (aurora borealis). We had a companion who said that we had to go out and watch the incredible night. For us it was in the middle of the nights and we went out on skies to the mountain, skied towards the full moon and the northern lights behind us – it was a fantastic nature experience.

… What he would have chosen if he had specialised in any subject:
- I have to stick with ecology, nature issues, environment and agriculture – I’ve said it since the age of 18 and it still sticks.

… What extinguishes a good leader?
- One should be well read, be able to understand other people are really good at and support them in that. Then one should be a good listener, be able to receive critique as well as being rewarding and showing appreciation.

… If he has phrased any life philosophy?
- I really haven’t besides my motto. For Sweden – With the Times. That is a form of life philosophy or way of living.

… The popular support that met him after the speech he held subsequent to the tsunami?
- It feels very good that I was able to bring out the line of thoughts and could put across what many were missing at that time. One of the main tasks as a king is to support and unite the Swedish people in difficult situations.

… The monarchy’s role in the future?
- I feel that there is a great need of a monarchy in Sweden and in many other countries in Europe that have a monarchy. If one looks at those countries, they have always been stabile democracies all at the same time.

… Is he happy?
- Yes, I think so. I feel great.

… The relationship to the media:
- It has become tougher with the years. Sometimes it is very intrusive, it is for the whole family. One goes up and down like a yoyo all the time.

… What he would do if he were a minister for environment in a world government:
- The greenhouse effect is a difficult and important area. To additionally increase the confidence for the Kyoto protocol is also an important issue. If we can change this, a row of important issues such as energy and transport follows, and in the long run it will lead to a positive development.

… Future plans for the Vasaloppet ski race:
- Pew, we’ll see.

[rop81]

Thanks GrandDuchess for the two latest interviews with the King & Crownprincess, even though it is roughly the same questions and answers we have read in many other interviews as well.

[Furienna]

The most interesting parts of that interview with the king to me weren't included in your version, Grandduchess. It was the parts about the history of the royal house. Carl XVI Gustaf was four years old when his great grandfather Gustav V died. The present king remembers the 90ish king as having little waxed moustaches, which... stinged? (Kan någon komma på ett bättre ord för "stickas" på engelska, när det handlar om vaxade mustacher?) Well, the little great grandson didn't think they were very comfortable to feel, at least. hmmm... And the king also proved himself to be knowledgable about his family's history. "I can say, that I sat in the lap of somebody, who himself sat in the lap of queen Desirée, who had been Napoleon's first fiancée in the late 18th century." Carl XVI Gustaf's great grandfather Gustav V was sure born before HIS great grandmother Desirée died, and she had actually been engaged to Napoleon Bonaparte.

[GrandDuchess]

Originally Posted by Furienna

The most interesting parts of that interview with the king to me weren't included in your version, Grandduchess.

I haven't excluded anything, this part of the TT interview wasn't in the newspaper were I read it. I've found another version online now, and I see that this passage that you mentioned is included there.

[Yennie]

Princess Madeleine gave an interviewed by the student newspaper Gaudeamus. She talks about her time at the university and how she felt about the exams, teachers and fellow students

http://www.sus.su.se/gaudeamus/tidig...0306/madde.pdf

If someone with better english than me could translate (GrandDuchess?) it would be much appreciated .)

[Gita]

Yes you are right, those are some of the official photographs from the Royal Court.

[Yennie]

The basics from the interview: http://www.sus.su.se/gaudeamus/tidig...0306/madde.pdf

- I liked Stockholm university very much. It has a nice atmosphere and the quality of the courses are good.

- All subjects I´ve studied gave me something. But the one that I focused on, Art science, was particularly interesting.

- The hardest must have been the exams that demended alot of studying to remember everything.

- To prepare for an exam I mostly sat at home reading. My study technique was basicly to shut myself into a room a week before.

- Luckily I passed all of my exams

- I felt just like any other student and I did get some new acquaintances among my fellow students

- The reason why I chosed to write a paper about Solliden was that we were recomended to write about things close to our heart. Solliden means alot to me and my family.

- Ofcourse I had a favorite teacher but I´ll keep that for myself.

- My dream for the future is to become a good ambassador for Sweden

[Yennie]

Here´s another interview with the Queen, done by United nations

http://www.unodc.org/unodc/newslette...1_page004.html

[foiegrass]

Wow thanks so much GrandDuchess for the translations of the interviews. I think it helped me gain a little more information and perspective on the swedish royal family. What a close knit family .

[Esmerelda]

nwt.se - Exklusiv intervju med kung Carl XVI Gustaf

Interview with the King from earlier this year, I think.

[Esmerelda]

German interview with Queen Silvia:
Königin Silvia im Interview | NDR.de - Fernsehen - Sendungen A - Z - Ostsee-Report - media

[Esmerelda]

Interview with the King and Queen on the World Childhood and Youth Forum which will take place at the Royal palce on Friday
Intervju med Kungaparet om WCYF - Sveriges Kungahus [NS4 version]

[wok_kym]

Can somebody please tell me if those annual little birthday interview with Crown Princess Victoria are videos or printed? if video where they can be found?
Thanks