Interviews with Members of the Royal Family


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SpiffyBallerina

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I am very interested to know what all the members of the Swedish royal family think about various topics. The interviews with them that have been posted however, are only in Swedish. :blink: As an American, I can't read any of these interviews and I was wondering if anyone could find the time to translate some (especially ones with Victoria and/or Silvia). Thanks so much.
~Kathleen
 
"As an American, I can't read any of these interviews"

This American will try his best :eek: to translate some of them.
 
Ifyou can't read the interviews, it has nothing to do with the fact that you're American, and everything to do with the fact that you don't read Swedish.
 
Originally posted by Bubbette@Jan 26th, 2004 - 2:04 pm
Ifyou can't read the interviews, it has nothing to do with the fact that you're American, and everything to do with the fact that you don't read Swedish.
Umm...okay. I was simply stating that as a TYPICAL American who speaks English, I am unable to read Swedish.

Thanks for the effort Dennism! You're SO my favorite person. :p :heart:
 
Hi,

I was wondering if there are also any video interviews with them speaking in english. As a typical Australian, I have a bit of the same trouble as you, Spiffyballerina.

Thanks ;)
 
"I was wondering if there are also any video interviews with them speaking in english."

I don't think there is. There was one with Victoria speaking when she was in Delaware but that was only up for a couple of days. It was on the TV news site.
 
As american...continent habitant, i speak english as second language, but i would like to hear the queen speaking spanish (as a typical mexican), i know she does it very well, but maybe the protocol would not let it happend...
 
I have an interesting interview with Queen Silvia. She speaks about her children, her childhood, and the protuguese. But is in spanish. If you want it, tell me.
 
Originally posted by ally_cooper@Feb 18th, 2004 - 5:52 am
I have an interesting interview with Queen Silvia. She speaks about her children, her childhood, and the protuguese. But is in spanish. If you want it, tell me.
Is that the one from Hola Magazine from a couple of years back?
 
No, it is from a spanish magazine called "Lecturas". They have interesting interviews with Queen Silvia and Princess Madelein (she speaks about her future). But i can not traslate it. Do you want it in spanish?
 
One day while I was looking through my old tapes, I found one with the yearly programme “Året med Kungafamiljen” (“The year with the Royal House”) from the year 2000. The programme is aired around Christmas and the New Year's every year, and that year's programme was evidently forgotten after I taped it. So to share a little with you, I decided to write down one of the segments, focusing on the Crown Princess's studies at Yale University because it was so good. And even though you can't see the lovely film running, maybe you can get the sense of this great occassion that came throught the screen. Remember this is from 2000.


The reporter's voice (while showing film from the Yale campus): A few hours drive from New York, in the state of Connecticut lays Yale University - one of the United States’ most prominent universities. Here students from all over the world have gathered; one of them has been the Crown Princess of Sweden.

The camera is showing the group of people invited to the Dean’s residence for the occasion. A small orchestra playing classical music in one room, people laughing and chatting – a festive atmosphere

The reporter voice continuing (while showing film from the Dean’s residence): At an informal ceremony at the Dean’s Residence earlier this year, it was time to present the diplomas, and to say a both heartfelt and touching goodbye of the time as a student for the Crown Princess. She was joined on by her parents, The King and Queen, and inside, all of her teachers and the members of the Dean’s closest staff had met up to attend the ceremony.

Camera showing the group gathered in a room together with the Crown Princess, The King, The Queen and then focusing on the man who steps forward.

William H Sledge, principal of the Calhoun College takes the floor:
(all comments that begins with a - is by him)

- Well it was a brisk day in January of 1998 – a good day for a visit from a group of Vikings, when I first met Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria and her mother, Her Majesty The Queen, together with a host of other handsome northerners who joined us on that occasion. And it was a day of high hopes and some uncertainty, as we looked forward to what laid before us. And in the ensuing months, which stretched out to two years plus four terms, we all got to know Victoria somewhat better. And I think I can speak for all who have had contact with you when I say that we have all become enormously impressed with your radiance, your engagement in the world around us, your seriousness and consciousness and yet your remarkable capacity for joy, pleasure and playfulness which we all celebrated.

- And we know that when your day comes, you’re going to be a magnificent Queen, and we are very proud to have had this opportunity to be a part of your life in this brief way.

- So instead of changing citizenships and becoming your loyal subjects, we thought we would honour the occasion by a few gifts from your time here. And if you step forward, I would like to represent them to you now.


The Crown Princess steps forward

- First is a certificate. This is a certificate that basically says, in Latin (the Crown Princess jokes and says she’s glad she didn’t have to read it by herself), “let it be known, that Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria is a member of good standing of this college”. So this is for you to put in some prominent place in the palace.

- And we never let anyone graduate from Calhoun without a pin (showing the small package) that you can wear on your jacket. So we’ll just put it here…

Victoria: The bow is bigger than the package!

- You can put that in your hair!

- This package contains…

Victoria: Oh, it’s Christmas!

- It is Christmas... This package contains two t-shirts, one for warm weather and one for cold weather – and this is to remind you when you exercise at the palace…

Victoria: Oh, I always run around like mad!

- Or, ah, if otherwise incognito… No one will recognize you in them.

Victoria: Thank you!

Pictures are taken, and the Crown Princess then requests a group picture with her
teachers. The merry feeling continues with lots of laughter.


The camera then leaves the Dean’s residence and the programme turns over to an interview with the Crown Princess about her time at Yale (shot somewhere in the UN building I think, or a building near it).

Four years at Yale University, a chapter in the Crown Princess’s life?
- Yes, you can say that. It has been a nice experience and it turned out to be a little longer than planned, but you wanted to take care of the great opportunity, and it was great that is could be arranged so that I could stay longer.

Melancholic to leave?
- Yes, but at the same time it feels like a finished chapter, it was time to come home and deal with the things one have at home too.

The interests for international issues seem to be big?
- Yes, it has become rooted, it is something that I’m very interested in and we are surrounded with it daily in the form of radio, TV and newspapers. I also feel security in knowing what is going on. It is after all our history that we are living, we are making it, and I have had the nice possibility to meet a lot of interesting people – especially at the UN which I spent some time at – one month at the UN building and after the summer I was at the Swedish delegation to see how it works, which questions Swedish are running and are especially interested in and how people see Sweden. It was very exciting.

Couldn’t this be a good place to work at, the UN?
- Well, I’d have to speak to father about that, but it is undoubtedly very interesting, it is. It is also a very important organisation.

What is next?
- After Christmas, in January, Sweden succeeds France as President country of the EU and I would like to spend some time before Christmas to prepare myself and to understand Sweden’s role. And the after Christmas, maybe I will get the opportunity to take part and visit some meetings and get the real picture of it all.

There are big issued that land on Sweden’s table.
- Yes, it will be great for Sweden and surely a great opportunity on many levels – for trade and industry, but also in many other ways – to get to show yourself and show people what we do in Sweden, where we are committed. So it will be important.

A good international platform has been established for the Crown Princess?
- Yes, I think so, and it is also very interesting and especially for the situation I will be in (meaning her role as Queen). One has had the opportunity to meet many interesting persons who inspire you – you sit at diners and talk about this and that, and at those times one tries to ask about their experiences and knowledge – and that it very inspiring, it is.

How has it been to move home to Sweden?
- Well, it has been with varied feeling of course. It has been nice to come home, but at the same time you leave something behind you and it is always like that when you enter a new stage or chapter or what one wants to call it – it is a little melancholy. But it also really felt like now I’m going home to do what I have to do at home. It feels very good. I’m grateful for the time I have had there, but I look forward to being at home.

A new chapter in the Crown Princess life is to be written?
- Yes, and then after that you can come and ask me questions about that chapter, can’t you! (In a funny dialect.)
 
On the road with the Crown Princess – in the United States of America
Published in Swedish (translated by me) in DI Weekend, November 2003.

To be schooled into the role as Sweden’s regent is no game. Victoria takes her task with great seriousness. Only if the people’s support would fail to come, she can imagine abdicating, she tells in an exclusive interview. When DI Weekend follows the Crown Princess during two hectic days in Washington, it is about everything from the world’s hearths of crisis to fights with the tabloids – and a mysterious ring on the left ring finger.

Time: 15:00, Wednesday 5 November, evening
Place: Outside The World Bank’s headquarters in Washington


“Did you see the ring?” DI Weekend’s photographer Thomas Engström asks the question as soon as we have said goodbye to the Crown Princess and her group of people.

It is Wednesday afternoon and we have just sat with as spectators during a specially composed seminar for Victoria, where four specialists from The World Bank has presented an overview of the bank’s work in countries in conflict.

There are many things one could discuss after their first meeting with Sweden’s Crown Princess, for example how intrepid she is to break in and ask questions, her obvious commitment when one of the specialists brings up specific problems for women in regions of conflict, or the constantly present “Matrix-like” security guards.

But the subject is Victoria’s ring – a ring that I myself did not notice during the meeting.

“She carried a ring on the left ring finger. After spending a romantic weekend with Daniel last week”, explains Thoman Engström who has been photographing celebrities for over 20 years and has learned to always look for an eventual presence of an engagement- or marriage ring.

Time: 19:00, Wednesday 5 November, evening
Place: The Library of Congress


In the evening, Victoria is guest of honour at the prize ceremony of a newly founded prize, The Kluge Awards, with the ceremony being held in the Library of Congress. The information on the ring – which she is still carrying – has now spread to several medias and Expressen’s US correspondent Olof Lundh, discretely asks Victoria’s constant companion and mentor, Elisabeth Tarras-Wahlberg (also Director of the Royal Information and Press Office), if Victoria happens to be newly engaged.

This is heavily denied by Tarras-Wahlberg, which Olof reports back to the night editorial staff in Stockholm.

The following day, it turns out, after some more research, that Victoria carried a ring on the same finger several years ago – also with the following speculations in the gossip magazines.

Time: 09:15, morning, Wednesday 6 November, evening
Place: Elliot School of International Affairs, George Washington University


“Maybe she has overslept?”

Professor Peter Rollberg is standing and stomping nervously on the sidewalk outside Elliot School of International Affairs, it is raining lightly and the Crown Princess is a bit late.

“I hate to be late”, she later tells us.

The lateness cannot be blamed on her. Instead the reason is traffic stocking.

During the two days that DI Weekends reporter and photographer follows Victoria in Washington, the meticulously detailed programme is followed more or less on the scheduled time.

Some meetings, like the one with the President’s wife Laura Bush, takes a little longer than scheduled, but it is all within the margin of error.

A quarter after decided time, a black Volvo limousine arrives. It is the only one of its kind in Washington, and has been lent out by the Swedish Ambassador in Washington, Jan Eliasson, who is also housing the Crown Princess and Elisabeth Tarras-Wahlberg during their stay in Washington.

Victoria is not met by a red carpet or a huge crowd of press, but is welcomed in a simple way by Professor Rollberg on she sidewalk.

Four stairs up in the university building awaits eight top students (Professor Rollberg calls them the university’s “crème de la crème”) who is to present and discuss well chosen regions of conflicts around the world – from Sudan to Afghanistan – with Sweden’s Crown Princess.

In the beginning, the feeling is tense and a bit tightened, but soon the discussions are high. Victoria is taking part actively in the conversations and seemingly likes to exchange opinions with the students of her age.

I’m surprised in how obvious she is in her support for the EU and EMU. She also expresses sharp criticism against the US for starting the invasion of Iraq without the support of the UN, which she feels has weakened the UN’s position.

“Why should we small countries listen to the UN when the US is not?” she says, and the American students agree.

Time: 19:00, 6 November, Thursday 6 November, evening
Place. The Swedish Ambassador’s, Jan Eliasson, residence outside Washington


In the evening the Crown Princess has another, less intellectual, role to fill – to shake hands, kiss on cheeks and smile to the cameras. The Ambassador, Jan Eliasson, and his wife Kerstin are having a reception in their grand residence (who makes the White House look like a small barn) in the honour of the Crown Princess.

All the invited guests parade past to greet Victoria and the host couple. The usual polite phrases are exchanged. It shows that Victoria has the habit to this, and she makes it without yawns or bored faces.

Before the time is nine, all guests have left the party. I later find out that this is the way for all carrier-driven Washington inhabitants.

“Gladly a social event to get connections after work, but I have to be in bed before ten”, say on of the guests.

Time: 9:00, Friday 7 November, morning
Place: The Ambassador’s, Jan Eliasson, residence


We are back at the Ambassador’s residence for a press meeting with Victoria. During the whole week, Elisabeth Tarras-Wahlberg and the embassy’s press councillor Claes Thorson, have pointed to this press meeting when journalists have wanted a comment from Victoria.

Although there is no rush for the meeting. Except DI Weekend, Expressen, Svenska Dagbladet and Svensk Damtidning, along with a Danish freelance photographer who works for an international picture agency is there.

Expressen is mostly interested in the court process against German tabloids that the Royal Court has just started (“Victoria opens up on the scandal pictures” is the next days headline), while Svensk Damtidning asks about the Crown Princess’s hobbies.

The Danish freelance photographer and Thomas Engström (who is parallel working for a picture agency during the Washington visit) are taking pictures constantly for one hour.

“As long as the Crown Princess is seen in the lens, it’s just to keep shooting. German magazines cannot get enough of pictures on Victoria”, says Thomas Engström.

Counting that we have not seen one German journalist during our entire stay in Washington, you can here imagine an explanation to all the horrible articles that is written on the Royal House in German gossip magazines. My theory is soon confirmed.
“Of course we construct things. New pictures of Victoria and Daniel comes in all the time, but we have no text to the pictures”, I read Peter Viktor Kulig, the German gossip magazine 7 Tage’s editor-in-chief, saying in Aftonbladet.

Time: 12:00, Friday 7 November, noon
Place: the express train between Washington and New York


The Crown Princess and I sit in the first class coach together with Elisabeth Tarras-Wahlberg and Jan Eliasson in the seats next to us. On the other side of the walking isle sits two of Victoria’s security guards from SÄPO, whom I have by now gotten acquainted with, and reading books.

In total, Victoria has four security guards, of whom one is woman, with her on the USA trip. They work in shifts. The two that are not on the train is in New York preparing for Victoria’s arrival.

Already after my short line exchanges with Victoria during the past days has the laughing photographer Engström reminded me that I – without being aware of it – have addressed the Crown Princess in the wrong way. I am therefore relieved when Victoria gives the green light to say “du” (you) to her during the interview we are about to start.

Victoria is nice, laughs a lot and tries to honestly answer all my questions that I ask. But then again, I am avoiding bringing up her boyfriend Daniel.

I cannot avoid asking about the ring, which caused so much attention in the beginning of the trip, before is say goodbye to the Crown Princess.

“It is an old ring who I got from father”, Victoria says.

There is a totally not romantic explanation to why she wears it on the left ring finger.

“It only fits on that finger”.


FACTS:

Name: Victoria Ingrid Alice Desirée Bernadotte
Title: Crown Princess of Sweden, Duchess of Västergötland
Age: 26
Family: Father King Carl XVI Gustaf, mother Queen Silvia and siblings Prince Carl Philip and Princess Madeleine
Lives: Drottningholms Palace (separate wing)
Income: Receives no wages, but income from capital (3,2 million SEK)
Fortune: 20,7 million SEK
Self-portrait in three words: Curious, positive, loves animals
Hidden talent: “It’s hidden!”

CONFLICT SEEKING

The Crown Princess’s weeklong visit to Washington had as purpose to give her a deeper education in her current being favourite interest, international conflicts solving.

The tight programme consisted of, among other things, a visit to the American State Department (briefing on the situation in Iraq and the Israel-Palestine conflict), round table seminars with university students, meeting with specialists from The World Bank (on the bank’s possibility to help countries in conflict) and meeting with persons from the old Clinton administration.

She also had private meeting with important people like the President’s wife Laura Bush (tea in the White House) and President of The World Bank, James Wolfensohn (friend of the Royal House).

The week also consisted of several official engagements and was ended with the attendance at the celebrations of the 365-year jubilee of the Swedish colony New Sweden.
 
Interview with the Crown Princess on Official Visit in the United States of America.
Published in Swedish (translated by me) in DI Weekend, November 2003.

26-year-old Victoria Ingrid Alice Desirée Bernadotte is in hard training to some day in the future take the weight of becoming Sweden’s next regent on her shoulders. In an exclusive interview with DI Weekend, a picture of an committed and dutifulness Crown Princess who is EU- and EMU positive, and who has design and bio technique as her favourite trades, emerges.

Which are the biggest advantages of being Crown Princess?
- For once, there is an enormous advantage to get to meet interesting person and to be able to see so much. Then you have a role with great possibility to bring up and put the light on issues. But with that comes of course also great responsibility.

And the biggest disadvantages?
- There is really no private life. You are Crown Princess 24 hours a day. That’s the biggest disadvantage.

If you would not be Crown Princess, what job would you have wanted?
- The area that I have been studying this week in Washington, international conflict solving, is an area that I very much would have liked to work with. Gladly for an international organisation like the United Nations. Then I’m very interested in the environment, culture and the nature, but I have never thought about a specific profession.

Have you ever felt “no, now it’s enough, I don’t want to be Crown Princess anymore”?
- No, I don’t see that as an option for me. But I have had doubts about myself. I had a period in my life when I was feeling very bad, and felt that I couldn’t live up to the hard demands that I put on myself.

Is there anything that could make you consider abdication?
- If it is so that the Swedish people would not want me to fulfil my task, then I would obviously not do so. That is the only thing".

During these past days, you have started a court process against several German gossip magazines. What do you hope that this will come to?
- I see it as a making, putting down your foot. The feeling within the gossip press, to where I these days also count the evening papers, have definitely got harder.

What do you hope to accomplish as regent for Sweden?
- I want to use my position to make things better, and to be a positive symbol for Sweden.

And for trade and industry?
- I want to help to bring forward the Swedish companies names and products in the international situations where I am. Simply to make advertisement for them. To do that in the best way, I need to deepen my knowledge about the companies, that is an important part of my education.

The past spring, you visited a row of classic Swedish export companies like ABB, Astra Zeneca and Ericsson (the programme was put together by Investor). What is the next part of your education in trade and industry?
- The small companies. We are in contact with them and have discussed it a little loosely, but when it will happen is not yet decided. The small companies are very important for Sweden and important to bring forward.

(Elisabeth Tarras-Wahlberg, who sits with Ambassador Jan Eliasson in the seats next to us, tells us that the discussions are held specifically with Gunvor Engström, C.E.O. of Företagarna, and the agricultural organisation LRF.)

Is there a specific trade that you feel extra for?
- Sweden is very good at design, an area that I am very interested in personally. Another exiting trade is bio technique, a niche where Sweden is ahead and that you as a Swede can feel very proud of.

What is you view on the corporate scandals that we have seen in the USA, and now even in Sweden?
- Scandals are always very sad.

Have you followed what has been written about for example Skandia?
- Of course, and it is very sad. I hope that the work to re-create the trust is successful and that you as soon as possible don’t have to see the headlines that the company is now connected with.

What do you think it takes to get a more equal bland of women and men in the leading positions in the trade and industry?
- The starting point has to be that is it given that women are as capable as men. Then it is so that experience and earlier jobs are crucial for who gets a high position.

How do you feel about gender quotation?
- A sensitive issue. I don’t know if that is what it takes, but personally I would like to get a job because of my competence.

You yourself have gotten you job through inheritance and not suitability or competence. Does that feel un-modern?
- I have a position that is very hard to just jump into. It takes almost a whole life to take it on your shoulders.

What is your argument for keeping the monarchy?
- That the Royal House has an important role to fill as an un-political symbol for Sweden.

Do you have any role models?
- One person that I admire enormously is Queen Ingrid of Denmark (diseased paternal aunt of The King). She was incredibly wise and had a very good view on things.

Who do you turn to when you need advice?
- It depends on which area it concerns. Thankfully I have gotten to know many persons who have different knowledge, so I hope that I will be able to phone the right number.

This spring you met several of the heavy people in Swedish trade and industry, like Marcus Wallenberg, Stefan Persson and Carl-Henrik Svanberg. Do you have any contact with them today?
- Yes, we see each other at different occasions. It feels good that I can always get in touch with them if there would be anything.

You are the same age as Cristina Stenbeck – often called the trade and industry’s Crown Princess. Do you know her?
- I have met her a few times, but I can’t say that I know her.

Wouldn’t it be good to meet and get to know people in your own age? Say it takes 20-30 years before you taker over the throne – then maybe all your advisers have died or become senile?
(Elisabeth Tarras-Wahlberg, 53 years, and Jan Eliasson, 62 years, in the seats next to us, luckily laugh when the question is asked)
- I surround myself with people that I feel comfortable with and before everything has the knowledge and experience that is needed. When today’s 20 year olds have as much knowledge, I will call them too. I aim the question at the one who is most suited to take it.

Isn’t it boring to speak with old men all the time?
- I often get that question from my friends. But somehow I have never felt that way, because I have always learned so much by talking to these people.

I have understood that the Royal House took Anna Lindh’s death very hard?
- I had the great benefit to make several trips with Anna Lindh, and she was always very sweet to me. Her death is an enormous loss both for her family and for Sweden. She had an amazing capability to enlighten a room and lighten up the feelings. I think it will take a long time before we find another politician like Anna Lindh.

Has the murder of Anna Lindh made you think about your own security?
- As the protected person, the risk of attacks or other threats is always something you are aware of. It is nothing new to me. But I do think that the Swedish people are aware that the climate in Sweden has changed.

Could you yourself go shopping at NK on your own?
- No, not without my security guards. They are always with me.

How would you summon the just finish week about conflict solving in Washington?
- It was very good. It has been extremely thoughtful and a very varied and good programme-

Your mentor, Elisabeth Tarras-Wahlbegs, is seemed to follow you anywhere.
- It is a security to have Elisabeth with me on a trip like this. She has been with my parents on similar trips during a long time, and it is good to have her support when my parents are not present.

You had a private meeting with the President’s wife Laura Bush over a cup of tea in the White House. What do you talk about during such meetings?
- Well, you get the opportunity to speak about this and that without being quoted anywhere.

At those events that we could be present at, you looked to be the most involved at the round table discussion you took part in with eight top students in your own age.
- Yes, that was really very good. It was very interesting to take part of their presentations of different conflicts around the world.

Don’t you get complexes by sitting with the university’s sharpest minds, discussing their special subjects?
- Oh yes, super complex! But it’s just to grab the bull by the horn and be involved and show that you are grateful that they do it. It’s about not being afraid to ask questions and ask them to explain when you are not following.

During the discussions, you expressed a strong faith of EU. I have written down that you said: “EU fills an important purpose as a stabilisator between the countries. If you conduct business with each other over the borders, there are stronger arguments not to start conflicts”.
- Of course EU has its lacks, but EU as a concept is very important. Many of the problems there is in the world today, you have to work over the borders with, and EU is a good forum for that.”

You also expressed yourself positively on EMU: “To have the same currency makes trade easier between the countries.”
- There are many positive things about EMU, but also some uncertainties. To leave your own currency and national bank – which you are very attached too – is of course a big sep for a country.”

And I thought that you in the Royal House are not to make statement in political issues?
- What I said at those times was said in a small circle, and at those times I feel that I can try my personal opinions. But in general, I always have to think very careful when it comes to what I can and cannot say. It is very important that we in the Royal House are un-political. So I think we should stop talking about politics now.

All the people I have talked with her in Washington praise you for your commitment and your talent. Even so, I have read about your problems with dyslexia – is that something you still have?
- Yes. I mainly have difficulties to go through large amounts of text. I have to read the text several times and make my own notes to make it really get stuck. But one learns to handle it. It’s just to accept that it takes time.

You take notes almost frenetically during seminars and presentations. What do you do with all your notes?
- Because of the dyslexia, it is hard for me to just listen – I have to take my own notes to make it stuck in my memory. I also save the notes to be able to go back to them if I make a re-visit or a visit where similar issues are handled.

Isn’t it hard to always be involved and interested?
- No. My mother always say that there is nothing who is so boring as not to listen so someone. There lies very much in that. If you only give yourself time, it is interesting.

Your schedule in Washington has been full, and from morning to evening you are in the centre and have all eyes on yourself. You have to be totally beat in the evenings?
- Sure, I am tired, but you get used to it. This week has not been more hectic than any one else. I sleep a lot in the car between meetings.


And very rightly so: after the interview is finished and a lunch has been taken, Sweden’s Crown Princess sleeps heavily and doesn’t wake up until the train arrives in New York.
 
Originally posted by GrandDuchess@Apr 17th, 2004 - 12:51 am

- Yes, and then after that you can come and ask me questions about that chapter, can’t you! (In a funny dialect.)
Yes, that would be then the chapter, after her stay in the USA and before her marriage to Dennis ;)

Thank you so much for sharing this with us, Grandduchess :flower: :flower:
So far I only had the chance to watch one of these review-programmes (well, actually it were two...but of the same year, one on Victoria and one on the whole family)...I would wish, the swedish TV would show this on the web. These programmes are great...they don´t show gossip etc. , but how hard the RF really works...
 
I have been going through some old tapes again, and this time I found and old interview with Crown Princess Victoria! It's from 1999 and her time in the USA, done in a different way than usual (a more "modern" format with the graphics and all that) So, once again I descided to make a real effort and write it down so I could share it little with yall! Her and the tv man/interviewer has great chemistry, which really cam through in this piece. There's even been ill-meaning rumour about the two of them before, which had no truth in it. But they "work" really well together.

Crown Princess Victoria in the USA – an interview by Rickard Sjöberg for TV4 in May 1999.

Showing Victoria’s face.

Screen (black background, white text): Full name?
Victoria: Victoria Ingrid Alice Désirée
Screen (black background, white text): Loves?
Victoria: The nature
Screen (black background, white text): Hates?
Victoria: (pause) War

The camera floats over the waters near New York, it lands upon the Staten Island Ferry where it focuses on Crown Princess Victoria sitting on the reeling, and Rickard Sjöberg standing next to her with a big camera in his hands (taking pics on things around them).

Victoria: There’s the Statue of Liberty, can’t you see it? (pointing)
Rickard: Now I’m sort of a beginner when it comes to New York…
Victoria: So you want me to give you some tips?
Rickard: Yes, give me a few tips!
Victoria: At the moment we’re standing on the Staten Island Ferry, and this I think is a good example on what you should do in New York. Almost everything costs too much in New York, but this ferry is free. It’s really and ordinary commuting transport for people who work on Wall Street and live on Staten Island – so they commute.

The camera is filming from a car (the surroundings, road signs etc.) driving out of New York City while Rickard talks (speaker thing recorded afterwards):

Rickard: The Crown Princess lives on a comfortable distance from New York City, one of the worlds most pulsating cities. At the moment she’s focusing on her studies. It takes about an hour to go by car to New Haven, a pretty typical small town – if it weren’t for their university Yale – one of the counties oldest and most prestigious universities. This is where the Crown Princess is studying. Here she is one of circa 11.000 students. When we visited her in the beginning of May, everyone was preparing for the exam period and we were of course curious on how she was doing.

Footage of the campus (the nature, buildings, people on the move etc.)

Victoria: I’m going well. Now, I’m very fortunate because I’m not studying here to get credits. Which means that I attend classes and do the assignments, but don’t take the test.
Rickard: What subjects have the Crown Princess been studying this past year?
Victoria: This latest term I have been studying something called European Civilisation. My history teacher is a fantastic person, very dramatic and likes to act out. It’s a big class with approximately 150 students. But he always makes it exciting and fun, he has these little sketches by himself on the stage, so it’s really fun. It fantastic really, I have always liked history; it was one of my favourite subjects in school.
Rickard: The Crown Princess has always know what the goal is, the one of becoming Queen one day. Then I suppose you could say that this is a Queen education…
Victoria: It’s very difficult since there’s no book that says I have to study this and this. It’s what you feel for yourself, what you talk to mother and father with, what father feels that he maybe should have studied, or what is very lucky that he did study. I have talked with other who is in my situation in Europe, for example Fredrik of Denmark, what he is studying and feels is important and so on. Then you have to try and put it together. When it comes to studies it has been important for me to be in the USA, it has given me the chance to get to know myself in a totally different way, but also to get to know people in a very different way; people who has not known who I am. That is something very interesting.
Rickard: To simply talk to ordinary people?
Victoria: Exactly, and also to just learn ordinary every-day stuff. Exiting things like going to the Post Office for example! (laughing)
Rickard: Has that been an experience?
Victoria: Yes, it has been really fun. A lot of those things where I feel completely lost.
Rickard: How did the first visit to the Post Office go?
Victoria: It went fine; I got a stamp and was able to get away what I brought. I think it reached the addressee also.
Rickard: The practice periods must also have been very appreciated, especially the one coming now in Washington.

Footage of her sitting next to the Swedish Ambassador in a meeting, ambassador staff around the rest of the table.

Victoria: Yes, and especially very interesting. I’m going to Washington tomorrow, I’ve never been there so it’s going to be very fun. I’m going to follow the Swedish Ambassador there, Rolf Ekéus (now former ambassador), on the embassy. I will follow the daily work on the embassy, but also how they work with the different departments and so on.

The Swedish Ambassador (to an assistant outside the picture): How are we in they time schedule?
Assistant: Two minutes…

Big laugh.

They then show small glimpses of the work on the embassy.

Footage of the Crown Princess in a smaller room with a few people around a table and a military standing before them.

The military: General Major Peter Lundberg, I came here five months ago as the head of my department. I have three military attachés that work here under me.

Footage of the Crown Princess in a personal office with Roland Spont, Councillor of Labour at the embassy.

Roland Spont: Inside of Washington there is one reality, and outside there is another. If I walk through the corridor and look out, you see the White House, the investment firms and the lawyer firms where a lawyer charges $300 hundred and hour. And that is one reality. But if you look this way (points), there is a whole other neighbourhood. There is everything from prostitution, burned down houses, drugs and other difficult problems. And these are two worlds that exist in the USA.

Footage of the Crown Princess leaving the embassy in a Volvo limousine. Then back to the interview.

Victoria: It’s hard for me to say what a good Queen is, but of course I notice sides of mother and other Queens that I see is works very good and are very good to have.
Rickard: What do they have?
Victoria: Something I admire mother very very much for is that she has a capability to reach out to people and to talk with them. Something she also has is that she’s interested.
Rickard: But is it possible to always be interested at all times by all people and events that must be thrown at the Crown Princess around the world?
Victoria: I have been very fortunate to be interested by nature, which I’m very grateful for. I just am naturally interested in people; it’s nothing that I work on. I want to do my best at all times. In my case only the Swedish people can decide that, it’s all of you who can decide if I’m doing a good job or not.
Rickard: The Crown Princess is closing in on the age when The King became King. Does the Crown Princess feel ready to be Queen?
Victoria: I don’t think that you ever become ready for such a role. I just try to collect as much knowledge as I can. As I said earlier I think it’s important with a broad perspective, a broad knowledge. That’s very important.
Rickard: So The King has no plans on retiring (jokingly)?
Victoria: Absolutely not!
Rickard: Is the throne accession something that you discuss in the family?
Victoria: No

The Crown Princess and Rickard are walking around the campus, footage of them walking, the squirrels and the nature.

Rickard: What is the thing with all the squirrels around here, they are everywhere!
Victoria: Yes, they are everywhere. And they are pretty tame also I think. And very sweet.
Rickard: And come close.
Victoria: They get food by almost everyone, so they have a good life here.
Rickard: So if you’re a squirrel, you should live in New Haven?
Victoria: At Yale
Rickard: Yes, at Yale
Victoria (pointing): My German building

Back to the sit-down interview.

Rickard: How much contact does the Crown Princess have with the family during the stay in the USA?
Victoria: Good contact. Of course it’s hard with the time difference, but that’s how it is for everyone who is on one continent and the family on another. Mother and father are not home very much, but there is always someone you can leave a message too.
Rickard: Email, letters or telephone?
Victoria: Letters
Rickard: Handwritten letter?
Victoria: I am capable to write, yes (jokingly, laughs)
Rickard: But that’s a bit in the past now, although I myself think it’s very charming
Victoria: Thanks for adding that!
Rickard: There’s something special with it
Victoria: I’m not very good at writing long letters, so I draw a lot, paint a little and then I write a few lines. So the drawings will compensate the little text…
Rickard: Is that a new interest that the Crown Princess has gotten during the stay here?
Victoria: No, I have always liked to paint and a bit. You could say that it’s something that I have had the possibility to devote more time too.
Rickard: And it has resulted in?
Victoria: No masterpieces, no! But it’s fun, I do it regularly and I have also taken a few courses in it. Water colours mostly.
Rickard: How is the forming of a family coming along?
Victoria looks at her stomach and laughs.
Rickard: That was not how I meant… It was supposed to be a subtle way to ask if there is a boyfriend in the Crown Princess life?
Victoria: Before you asked about being private. Of course it’s difficult to be private, but there is still some privacy, and this question I think belongs to that sphere. I hope you respect my answer.
Rickard: Of course. Then how should the coming man be?
Victoria: Good question. You can never know how the coming man is going to be, but humour is very important.
Rickard: And not just as a clown/funny man?
Victoria: No, no. Ordinary every-day humour. To take things in the right way and to be positive and happy. Then there is of course more to it. It’s not often that one marries a man who is not nice… But humour is very important.
Rickard: A dose of being a sympathetic perhaps? (laughing)
Victoria: Yes (also laughing)
Rickard: Who is it in the end that decides about who the future husband is going to be?
Victoria: I think it will be done as it is in many families, a family meeting. Then in my case, it’s not only mother and father who are to have their say – but also the Government has to approve. We’ll see the day it comes how things will go.
Rickard: Undoubtedly there will be very high expectations on that person?
Victoria: Yes, naturally.
Rickard: Both officially by the Government and mother and father, but also unofficially by the whole people. How does that feel?
Victoria: That you should ask “him”, but of course it’s always hard when there is a lot of demands and expectations. Also because of this, I think it’s important to have humour in many contexts, not just in private.
Rickard: It lies in the nature of love that it can happen anywhere, everywhere…
Victoria: Watch out! (giggling)
Rickard: Ooops! But what would happen if the Crown Princess’ heart would begin to pound for someone who doesn’t really fit in on the official demands?
Victoria: Yes, it hard to say to your heart to stop pounding, so you would have to solve the problems then after the situation.
Rickard: Que cera cera
Victoria: We’ll see what would happen, yes

Out walking in the town centre

Victoria: This is where the most Yale stores lie, where you buy the books. Here or around the corner
Rickard: Is this the regular café place? (pointing)
Victoria: No, you usually vary a little: here, the school cafeteria, and some small restaurants. It tends to get sandwich lunches mostly

They laugh at two guys on a bike who come towards the corner where they are in a fast speed shouting “no breaks”. You catch a glimpse of Elisabeth Tarras-Wahlberg in the background for a few seconds.

Then Victoria and Rickard continue walking down the street.

Victoria: Totally normal!
Rickard: Yes, normal guys from the Crown Princess class! (laughing)
Victoria: My classmates…
Rickard: I saw and internet café over there too
Victoria: Yes, they are starting to appear here and there, so you can sit down and fiddle with a computer. This is really not a good neighbourhood, it’s here and then you have to be a bit careful.
Rickard: Here, but not 50 metres further ahead
Victoria: No, rather 50 metres up there (pointing)

Footage of Victoria ordering coffee for her and Rickard at a café.

Rickard: The contact with the friends at home in Sweden must be a little hard to keep when you’re studying abroad?
Victoria: Of course it’s hard to keep in contact if you don’t live in the same place. But as I said before, I tend to the Stone Age art of writing letters (giggling)
Rickard: It honours the Crown Princess
Victoria: Yes, it goes fine...
Rickard: Now the situation here is not the same in Sweden, but has there been people who have wanted to steal some spotlight?
Victoria: Not really like that. But it’s always hard for everyone to know who is a real friend and who you really can truest. And maybe it’s especially hard if you’re an official person
Rickard: How does one really learn something like that?
Victoria: I don’t know, it’s hard. You get a few punches and learn on the way I guess.
Rickard: Has the Crown Princess felt used in that way sometime?
Victoria: Yes, it has happened. But is happens everyone, I think
Rickard: How does it feel?
Victoria: You become sad and disappointed.
Rickard: And there’s nothing you can do about it?
Victoria: I guess you are wise afterwards, and blame yourself for not listening to mother. Now I admitted that too, mother! (laughing)

Footage of the campus.

Victoria: I have always wanted to study in the USA on university or college – but when I went here it was of course in connection with my eating disorders. I have gotten fantastic help by professionals here, and by others around me in my life here. It was very suitable to get a distance to Sweden – to the media, but also other attention that you don’t have the strength to take part in when you’re not very strong yourself
Rickard: How was it when it was as worst?
Victoria: It can’t be described, it can’t be described to you in one or two sentences. Of course it shows, but even if you gain a few kilos and it shows and people say, “good, she’s gained weight, she’s well now”. There where some experts who said in the media that I should come home just because I had gained weight and that I was fine. It has nothing to do with it. Of course I was better, but it’s a huge process, a lot of work and it takes time.
Rickard: So this is something that the Crown Princess still struggles with?
Victoria: What I want to say is that you can’t see on the outside how a person feels on the inside
Rickard: Does the Crown Princess know today, with a little perspective on things, what was the turning point in the eating disorders?
Victoria: There is not turning point, but a turn, and it has a lot to do with time. You talk and discuss
Rickard: And to totally get away from every-day life?
Victoria: Yes, but I would mostly say that it had to do with the good support I have had, and that I have had the possibility to just sit and talk about it. I also want to give this message to people with a close person or relative who has these problems: talk, be there – even though it’s hard
Rickard: Is it important for the Crown Princess to give this type of problems a face?
Victoria: Yes, it is
Rickard (Victoria shaking her head throughout the question): When the Crown Princess sees her friends deciding what to do in the future – does it sometime feel like the Crown Princess wants to “jump off the train” and do what they do – become nurses or farmers or whatever?
Victoria: No. I’m really happy where I am at the time, and I just hope that I can do such a good job that the Swedish people feel that I’m doing a good job

Footage goes back to the two of them at the ferry, standing at the front looking out.

Rickard: Won’t it be hard to move home to mother and father at Drottningholm?
Victoria: We’ll see, it’s possible
Rickard: But to live abroad is still to free yourself in some way?
Victoria: Yes, of course. We’ll see what happens. In my case it’s pretty big at home, so we can go around each other a bit
Rickard: You won’t have to feel that you are neighbour with your parents then?
Victoria: No, but we’ll see how things turn out
Rickard: How long will the Crown Princess study in the USA, and then come home to Sweden?
Victoria: I will come home to the summer to have a Swedish summer, and then go back for another tem. I’m coming home in time to Christmas!
 
Oh GrandDuchess I love you :heart: :heart: :heart: :flower: Great work, 1000000000 times thanks!

I´ve only seen a short part of the interview (only the sad part) and the more I´m happy that you gave us this little impression!
Yes, this Rickard would have been the perfect hubby for her (but as much as I know he´s now married :( )
 
The Amelia Interview!

So my friends, once again I have translated an interview almost to the extent that my fingers are hurting :lol: Here is the Amelia interview, which is a bit talked about due to the articles in the press about it. It's from the magazines new number that came out yesterday, and which I bought today. A small warning for Lena though: this article contains a few mentionings of her ponytail - remeber to breathe! :lol:

From Amelia’s Editor Page (Amelia Adamo):

Inside the royal skin

Five years ago, I interviewed Victoria’s mother Queen Silvia. It became an interview about feminism, abortions and charity. The daughter, the Crown Princess, who is soon to be 28 years old, is more careful with her statements. She is brought up with a flashlight in her face wherever she moves and knows that every sentence that includes any form of sharp points, she will have to eat up. I have hanged in the heels of Victoria in the EU city Strasbourg, and have in every way tried to get inside the royal skin. How I succeeded? Read for yourself on page 10.

(Here I’m skipping some things about the EU). When I told people that I had interviewed Victoria, I was asked how she really is. The same question was asked about her mother five years ago.
- I don’t know really. Kind, awaiting, happy, questioning (asking), funny.


“I was Victoria’s plaster" - The interview by Amelia Adamo

During two days, Amelia’s editor Amelia Adamo ran in Crown Princess Victoria’s footsteps. It came to be long days towards the representational dinners in the evenings, in a raging speed behind a wagging ponytail. And an exclusive interview about duty, love, trafficking, anorexia, money and clothes.

I have been “Crown Princess-ing” for two days. It felt a bit ridiculous. I say “du” or “ni” to most people, including the Prime Minister of Sweden, but the “du-reform” has not yet reached the Court. If you address Victoria, Sweden’s heir, you say “Crown Princess”. Now and then a “ni” slip in, and when I get a bit eager, I say “du” in the speed of it all.
-It’s okay, I don’t bite, Victoria says at those times, used to the faxt that many journalists have difficulties to not be allowed to address her with “du”, miss Bernadotte or “ni”. All is better than “Crown Princess”. I feel like I’m in an Austrian opera.´The “Crown Princess-ing” is also an effective way of keeping the distance and with that the increasing interest of us to know if they are as us others, for real.

Victoria is not amused by rule abiding interviews. In stead, journalists get invited to follow her when she in a raging speed and with a full schedule, educates herself to one day taking over the actual crown from her father The King.

It’s the Court’s Director of the Press and Information Department and Victoria’s mentor, Elisabeth Tarras-Wahlberg, who with a practised hand creates a schedule for both media and the royal student. It’s Elisabeth who, together with Victoria, created the agenda and makes sure there is time for working out and free time together with duty and “school”. The curriculum is to get to know Sweden and Sweden in the world, the Parliament, the Government, the defence, the cultural life, aid. Peace- and conflict solving is first in the catalogue of interests, closely followed by the HIV/AID:s issue, if the Crown Princess can choose herself.

Media practice, no, that is not included, even though they speak a lot about how to handle the press and information, where the boundaries are and what a Royal House has too put up with, at home on the palace.

I came with her to Strasbourg, the border town in France where the EU Parliament in Brussels move once a month. Knowledge about the EU Parliament, the European Council and the European Court is included in Victoria’s educational programme. I was her plaster for two days. Sometimes I was not allowed to be present. At those times I stood in the EU corridors together with the security guards, and learned a bit about SÄPO. The King and the Crown Princess have security protection 24-hours-a-day. The two security guards know a lot about our Crown Princess habits, but their lips are sealed. They will hardly sell their knowledge to the gossip magazines, as is often the case in England.

It was two very interested days. Not just because I learned that there are 70 000 cases lying around and waiting for handling in the European Court and that the European Council’s building is inspired by the number 12. But also because I leaned how the surroundings act when a royal turns up. You have to pinch yourself in the arm and tell yourself that this is 2004 (not the 1800:s).

And in the middle of all the stir, with a touch of humbleness, a chose free, natural and sympathetic woman with big ambitions to do something good for Sweden. Eager to learn and happy, she asks question after question, and a less spoiled upper class person you have too look for!

How is it possible, I thought, that she’s managed to not become more “flashlight hurt” person after standing in the spotlight for 26 years. The damage she got was anorexia that struck her when she was the most insecure. Painful also for us who saw the photographs of a skeleton thin young woman, but who was taken care of in an excellent way and became totally recovered.

- At that time, I experienced a big inner conflict. It was very important for me to put words on my feelings and I got professional help, and also the media respected that I had to be left alone. My time in the USA meant a lot for my recovery.

Can the Crown Princess look at the pictures from that time without closing you eyes?
- How can I avoid them, they are always put out. But I can manage it, although I would rather not have too.

- I care about Emma Igelström (swimmer star who’s had to break her aim for the Olympics because of eating disorders) and other who are struck, because I know what they go through. But I can’t wow for different methods. The disease depends on personal reasons. I can say that I learned very much on that journey and I’m glad that the problem cam so early, I got my troubles then. I have fought really hard, but also got really good support and understanding.

What has been most important for you in your personal development?
- That I have learned to find peace, that I can make a stop.

I watch when Victoria and the Swedish MP:s in the European Parliament take in a three course lunch. She eats with good appetite, and there is nothing in this healthy woman’s person who reminds of the anorexia days. No anxious moving of pieces of food on the plate as often when sick people is going to eat. The different MP:s like Marit Paulsen (Folkpartiet), Per Gahrton (Miljöpartiet), Anders Wijkman (Kristdemokraterna) and Maj Britt Theorin (Socialdemokraterna) shortly tells about their work. Victoria curiously asks and soon she gets in to one of her mother The Queen’s interest areas: trafficking.
- Drugs, says Victoria wisely, you sell one time. Women are sold hundreds of times.

We agree that maybe there would be more speed in the trafficking issue if the men also got involved. Today, this modern issue of trafficking is a women’s issue. France, Holland and Germany are not very involved at all; they have their brothels to protect.

We are sitting at the highest point of the quit new European Parliament building, where they have set a table. Soon it’s time for the election of new MP:s to the European Parliament. Victoria thinks that It’s important to vote, although she doesn’t do so herself. The member of the Royal House doesn’t vote by tradition.

How is it to always be seen? Everyone looks at the Crown Princess’ clothes, hair, and makeup and makes a judgement?
- Unfortunately I don’t have a natural interest in clothes. It would make things easier. My profession is very much about wearing the right clothes out of the respect of others. I myself think there is too much of a focus on clothes. My sister tires to help me, but clothes is not something that I prioritise.

Victoria dresses very practically. Suit, linen, almost no jewellery, but elegant shoes with high heels. Almost no makeup and a shining thick hair in a ponytail and glasses, she is taken around by different EU dignitaries who have spent much more time on dressing and makeup. But she changes her watch, during the day a sports model and in the evening a more elegant one. When I point this out, she laughs and says:
- It makes mother happy.

Crown Princess Victoria is unpaid. Her work to be the heir to the throne is to represent Sweden, and it’s father who makes sure she has money. The King gets money from the state, about 94 million crowns. They are divided: 49 million goes to the palaces and all that comes with that. 48 million makes the appanage to the Royal House (Princess Lilian included), to the Court, the Marshal of the Realm, the Royal Mews etc, and all in all about 50 people. The King decides how the money is to be spent.
- Yes, I have to go to father and ask for money.

How is he then, generous or stingy?
- He is orderly with money. I have so that I cope; I’m not very interested in buying expensive things.

Victoria lives for free in a wing at Drottningholm.

How is it to live so close to your parents? They have a super eye on everything, and see who comes and goes.
- For me it works fine, I’m comfortable. It’s nice to have your own entrance and to be able to eat breakfast on your own. It’s only two rooms and a kitchen, nothing fancy.

In the book “Victoria, Victoria”, that Alice Bah and Elisabeth Tarras-Wahlberg wrote a few years ago, Victoria tells how it felt when mother and father constantly had assignments and had to leave their children.
- I’m a big sister, so I took it more with ease, but my sibling, and especially Madeleine, cried and screamed after them and mother thought it was really hard.

Why not father?
- It hurt for him too, absolutely. But it was different for father, he is used too it, grown up in an environment where you put your feelings in another room and it’s duty before all that applies.

Duty for the Crown Princess then?
- For me it is very important that I do a good job, and I try to live up to the expectations that exist. Duty has a high priority with me too. I want very much, and I gladly want it.

- I think it’s very hard to combine an active working life with being a mother or have a family, and I admire them who succeed. But the work that mother has demands that you are away a lot and that was how it was when we were little. We had nannies that we were very comfortable with and who made us feel secure, but it’s not something that you replace parents with.

To be an heir to a throne is to wait and wait for me. Kings can abdicate, but they never retire. And the Bernadotte’s are known to live long lives.
- I can’t think like that. I just think that now I’m going to do a good job, I see my father as The King and mother as The Queen and I don’t strive for anything else. I constantly learn. It’s fun.

Wasn’t it hurting when The King said that he preferred a male heir?
- I didn’t take it personal. My father said it when there was still a male heir, it’s always hard to look into the future. My father meant that is was a change that would mean it would be a difficult role for a women to have and at the same time be a mother. But times change, and so do we.

I think that The King would be proud if he saw his firstborn work. With long legs she walks on in the endless corridors of the EU Parliament, greets people, asks things, chats unconstrained with everyone who takes part in the heavy schedule. The curly ponytail wags and the simple beige-white (one day, light blue the second day) suit doesn’t tell that here walks a celebrity.

The day goes on and it’s getting late. But the ponytail wags on and there is still force under both legs and the smile. Before I even manage to dip one foot into a hot footbath on my hotel, it’s time for the next meeting: Ambassador Dinner on the Swedish residence in Strasbourg. There stands a new group of excited people who are to be greeted. We eat dinner. Victoria sits between the Icelandic and the Swedish Ambassador. I hear her laugh and see her face full of expressions, and I wonder – what is she on, ginseng or natural forces?

Princess Madeleine and Prince Carl Philip, do they envy you situation?
- Hardly.

Every now and then the siblings meet outside of protocol. With the years, the interests have been able to unite and it is not just mother The Queen’s Sunday dinners who make them come together. All three have steady relationships. Prince Carl Philip, just turned 25, has a many year relationship with Emma Pernald and around him are absolutely no scandal rumours, those who during a period surrounded Princess Madeleine and her doubtful partners, today also she a role model, she studies the History of Art and behaves just as well as her brother and sister. Victoria’s boyfriend Daniel Westling, a gym trainer with his own gym, has all eyes on him. Everything is debated, length of hair, clothes, the education – not an easy situation for a coming husband to an heir.

Father The King did the same thing, chose a woman of the people. She totally charmed to Swedish people with her accent, her hair and her eyes. If it’s serious between Victoria and Daniel, he knows what lies ahead of him. A charm class is recommended if he doesn’t have it naturally. Then the Swedish people will surely take this Ockelbo son to their heart.

Victoria has become a professional on avoiding to answer, also when I try to squeeze her for something about her darling. What I understand, she is happy with him being sporty; she hardly wants a guy who prefers bar tours.
- Then we wouldn’t have anything in common, she answers with a smile and adds, it’s an eternal luck that someone dares to take on having a relationship with me. It’s not easy, she says, with the constant attention from the media.

How happy is the Crown Princess, on a scale from one to ten?
She laughs and says: - No no, then everyone would speculate. But I can say that I’m feeling very good!

She has big brown eyes but with a touch of scepticism. And why should she think that my intentions are honest? The Royal House has sued the German press and won, and gotten the whole gathered German gossip press core to apologize on their front pages. In Sweden, you try to avoid legal processes, but the gossip magazine lies hurt. When I ask if she goes to therapy to handle all the attention, she diplomatically says:
- There are people close to me that I have a great confidence in and can talk too. It’s important that there are persons who take time and listen, but they don’t have to be experts.

What does she know about an ordinary life, I ask, forgetting the dyslexia. So she reminds me of her life in an ordinary school in Bromma, in an ordinary kindergarten/pre-school and the hard years when she got extra help for her word blindness. And that she still have problem learning things, but have found a technique that works. Victoria hears and takes notes, reading is a constant trouble. She still doesn’t hand over a text without anyone had going through it.

She is a nature person, loves skiing, gladly spends time in the nature, and doesn’t sit at home with a book or magazine.

Amelia, does the Crown Princess read it?
- No, she answers truthfully, I don’t read magazines like that. I read morning newspapers.

She seems cool even when I ask what she feels about the republican Birgitta Olsson (Folkpartiet) who has as her goal to make sure the Bernadottes looses their job.
- Sweden is a free country. It’s important with different views on things. But of course I don’t agree. I want to work for Sweden and I know that we make a good effort. I feel like an ambassador for our country and I often get a “receipt” of it, maybe not as much at home as abroad.

When I say feminism, allocation of quoting, the Crown Princess say:
– “Pass”. Whatever I say it gets miss interpreted.
The subject is much too sensitive.

What is important for women today?
- Respect!

She and Elisabeth Tarras-Wahlberg, shadow, mentor, speaking partner, live on a hotel in Strasbourg’s old town. But the EU schedule is yet not finished. She steps into one of the constantly awaiting cars, with her security guards and her entourage, to be transported to yet another dinner with new big shots that she is to politely chat with. Miss Bernadotte is not on the lazy side of life. She has hardly seen the beautiful hotel, not Strasbourg either. And the next morning there is a plane to take her and the little entourage to a dyslexia conference in another country.

I feel one thing after these two intense days in the immediate presence of the Sweden’s Crown Princess: What she does, she does seriously. This is not Spy Bar girl. She wants to give Sweden the best she can. And mother and fathers words of wisdom for Victoria have seemed to work: Be yourself, keep a distance, show happiness and be curious.
 
Thanks a million for the translation and the scans, GrandDuchess! Perfect work!

And I´ve to thank Yennie as well, since she also bought the magazine too and wanted to publish it.

Oooohhhh, yes, very often the "p"-word in the article...I need to write this Amelia-girl, that she SHOULDN´T encourage this ponytail-habit...I bet this mag publishes letters to it, right ;) :p
 
Thank you so much for sharing interviews and tv-programmes on Victoria :flower: I'm glad, I found this thread - it is like a treasure of information. Up to now my knowledge on the Swedish royal family has been quite superficial: they are the ones, who always attend the celebrations in the danish royal family, the king always seems to act without thinking, and the princesses are so beautiful ;)

I've printed this thread now, and I'm looking forward to get to "know" Victoria better :)

GrandDuchess, thanks again for your really time-consuming effort :) :flower:
 
Thank you so much, Grandduchess, for the interview! Good job!
I´ll try to scan the pics tomorrow so we can see them as hq:s....
 
Originally posted by Lena@Jul 8th, 2004 - 4:37 pm
Thanks a million for the translation and the scans, GrandDuchess! Perfect work!

And I´ve to thank Yennie as well, since she also bought the magazine too and wanted to publish it.

Oooohhhh, yes, very often the "p"-word in the article...I need to write this Amelia-girl, that she SHOULDN´T encourage this ponytail-habit...I bet this mag publishes letters to it, right ;) :p
I attach the performance from Lena. Many thanks for translation the long article and publication the pictures (sorry of my bad english).
 
The Annual Little Birthday Interview 2004 with Crown Princess Victoria

In the Solliden Palace Gardens, where the Crown Princess first helps a bird to fly:
Victoria with the bird, 1
Victoria with the bird, 2

Does the Crown Princess lead an independent life?
- More or less, yes, I think so. At the same time I do have my official engagements, and a lot together with mother and father, which means I am at the palace (Stockholm) almost every day – which makes that you have a lot to do with each other anyway.

The dilemma in these situations tend to be that you as a child try to get loose from your parents, and in periods you don’t always find your father to be the king (the man) – but then he is The King. Has the Crown Princess had an opportunity to become an adult person, as you are supposed to be at 27?
- I hope so!

It has been a long year, well not longer than usual, but 365 days since the last birthday. What stays with the Crown Princess of her 26th year?
- When you sit down and think back like this, it’s very hard to just pick some events – but of course you can’t avoid thinking about Anna Lindh and the tragical and incomprehensible that happened.

Did the Crown Princess know her personally?
- Yes, well, I felt very strongly for her. It felt very comfortable to be with Anna, and she was always very happy, well read and knowledgeable. And I always felt that I could ask her about things, I learned a lot. I was very proud to see her as a representative for Sweden.

The Crown Princess travelled to Dalarna and Småland to visit small companies, why?
- Small companies are very important to Sweden, they play a great role. I must say that I became very fascinated and impressed by their enthusiasm – there is a great will and enthusiasm that lies behind running and starting a small company. It was great to see. And also to see that it really showed in their personalities, no matter what bransch or nische.

You think back to many visits and many travels, many fun experiences. And of cource the trip to Saudi Arabia was very different.

When you go on a trip like that, isn’t there a risk that you get to see a beautified reality, that you only get to see what they choose to show?
- That is the case for all the trips you make, which are very organized and where the schedule is tight.

But there has to be time for personal meetings, and some surprising events at times?
- Sure, but you also learn to see things with other eyes, and to look around things. Then you can always come for another trip privately, and see the other side.

They are interrupted when Victoria gets startled by the fountain next to her that suddenly starts.

The Crown Princess has been to three weddings this year, and I imagine that surely many 26-year-olds sat and thought “aw, what if the wedding bells would chime for yourself sometimes soon….”
- I feel no stress, that time will come in its time. But they were great weddings and it was nice to attend them – especially since it was Crown Prince Fredrik and Crown Prince Felipe that were the ones to get married. There were many people who had awaited it too happen, so there were many who were happy.

Then there was a christening for the heir to the throne in Norway, Ingrid Alexandra…
- And another one in Holland, so there where two christenings.

The Crown Princess became godmother to Ingrid Alexandra. When the Crown Princess held this little bundle, was there a motherhood instinct coming out somewhere, or was it like holding a vegetable at a farmer’s fair?
- I love children – children and animals. So of course it is something special. But it’s not like the gossip magazines write that “Now the Crown Princess can’t wait anymore”, that is just to sell papers. It was not like holding a vegetable.

So it was not like a big pumpkin?
- No, no pumpkin. A child is something amazing and I’m ridiculously fond of babies.

We live in a modern age where some people think that monarchies belongs to fairytales. What does the Crown Princess feel is the monarchy’s role today? And what does the Crown Princess see as her task?
- It is a representational role, and the monarchy is a uniting symbol for the country. I also see it as being an ambassador abroad. I believe we can help Sweden.

Does the monarchy belong in the future?
- I think so.

Does the Crown Princess like to be a Crown Princess?
- It’s a very interesting life. But like with every professions you do get a little tired of it sometimes. But it is absolutely a satisfying role in the way that you have the ability to help people, organizations and companies.

Does it ever happen that the Crown Princess comes home one day and thinks “oh no, today I’ve been a bad Crown Princess”?
- That is for others to ansewer.

But you have to feel if you’re having a bad or good day?
- Sometimes you might wish that you’d done things better than you actually are doing them, maybe you wish that you could have done something in another way, or said more wise things… But I think every person deals with these sort of things, in any kind of life. But of course, sometimes you do wish that you had done something differently.

Earlier the Crown Princess has spoken about putting very high demands on herself. Has this improved over the years, has the Crown Princess found a balance where she also can feel good about the things she has managed to do?
- Yes, I’ve managed to find a much better balance han before. I think you learn it with your age.

Not me, but many others, are very interested in the Crown Princess’ private life. Are there news to expect?
- No. Not of any bigger kind, no. When that day comes, I promise I will personally tell it to the Swedish people. You are not gonna have to read it in the papers – so you can stop buying them…
 
Not an interview, but an old article from PEOPLE (I remember that someone has asked for it some months ago):

Slip of a girl: Princess Victoria, heir to Sweden's throne, falls victim to anorexia.

People Weekly; 1/12/1998; Hubbard, Kim

Fresh-faced, ebullient and unpretentious, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, 20--the oldest of King Carl XVI Gustaf's three children--has always been adored by her countrymen. So when the royal baby fat melted away last summer, leaving the once-plump princess sylphlike, the Swedish press rejoiced. The weekly women's magazine Svensk Dam Tidning (which noted last year that the princess looked as if she had "eaten too many hamburgers") touted "Victoria's Scrumptious New Style" and featured her on the cover nine times between June and November--once wearing a bikini. Outside her homeland the trimmed-down brunette sparked rumors of romance when she and Monaco's Prince Albert (who is just a friend) kept company at the wedding of Spain's Princess Cristina in October.

But like the once-bulimic Princess Diana, to whom she has been likened, Victoria harbored a grim secret beneath her svelte look. On Nov. 29, a week after the 5'6'' heir to the throne appeared at a Stockholm gala in a gown that revealed how skeletal--not just slim--she had become, her family confirmed the press's suspicions. "The crown princess is suffering from an eating disorder," said Elisabeth Tarras-Wahlberg, director of the Information and Press Department of the royal court. "She is receiving therapeutic help."

To some, the news came as a shock. But to others, Victoria Ingrid Alice Desiree, Crown Princess of Sweden, Duchess of Vastergotland, seemed the type susceptible to eating disorders. (Sweden's incidence of anorexia among girls 14 to 24 is about 1 percent, similar to the incidence in the U.S.) "Victoria is very ambitious," says Monica Wadsted, an editor at Dam Tidning. "She puts her heart into everything she does, which fits the profile for anorexia." Adds Lillimor Johansson, a nurse and therapist at Stockholm's Huddinge Hospital's Eating Disorders Center, where some speculate Victoria may be undergoing outpatient treatment: "If you're in the public eye, it is more likely you can develop a problem. Women in the public eye feel they have to be successful, the best, in everything."

Raised with her brother Carl Philip, 18, and sister Madeleine, 15, at Drottningholm, a baroque-style 17th-century palace outside Stockholm, the outdoorsy and fun-loving Victoria has long excelled at both school and sports. Though she has had few romances ("Boys are intimidated," says a source close to the family), she has a large circle of chums and is particularly close to her father, Carl Gustaf. "They go boating and skiing," says a family friend. "He likes parties, so does she. And they were both brought up as rulers, so they have that understanding."

Determined to give their children "a normal Swedish upbringing," says the friend, Carl Gustaf, 51, and Queen Silvia, 54, have limited the young royals' appearances. But at 18, Victoria--who begins political science studies at Uppsala University, near Stockholm, this month--became deputy head of state, a ceremonial position with a palace office and an onslaught of invitations. (Sweden's monarch has no political role.) "Her duties are what she chooses them to be," says Palace spokeswoman Cecilia Wilmhardt. She has chosen plenty: After studying French at a French university in 1996, she boned up on Sweden's parliament with her country's prime minister, attended UN sessions and greeted dignitaries, including Boris Yeltsin, at state dinners.

Sources say it was while in France that she first began to diet--spurred by her popular mother, a perfectionist who long ago mandated low-fat cuisine at the palace and who, says one acquaintance, "is hysterical about keeping slim." The Queen, says a friend, "wished her daughter to diet. Not to be mean, but for her own good." Adds the friend: "The Queen is very worried. This has always been the perfect family, and the perfect facade has cracked."

How soon the crack can be mended is unclear. The weekend of the disclosure--which the princess had decided on as a way to end speculation--Victoria dined with friends in Paris. "She sat and thought so long about what she should eat," an onlooker told the Swedish magazine Hant Extra, "but when the food came, she ate almost nothing." On Dec. 10 she looked tense and gaunt at Stockholm's Nobel Prize dinner. "One of the hardest things for a person with an eating disturbance is to eat with other people," says therapist Johansson. "And she was with 1,400 others. It must have been terrible."

Yet Victoria, insiders say, elected to stick to a schedule spokeswoman Tarras-Wahlberg calls "daunting." Journalist and royal watcher P.O. Eriksson says "her interests are centered on becoming Queen. She wants the right education and to learn how the society works." Ultimately, her sense of duty may pull her through. "She has great work ahead of her," says Johansson. "She must get on with it by first getting well."

COPYRIGHT 1998 Time, Inc.
 
The birthday-Interview, that GrandDuchess has kindly translated for us, is still online. Well, the whole birhtday-celebration is online, but if you just want to watch the interview go to minute 27 and to one hour and 11 minutes (1:11)

http://svt.se/content/1/c6/23/05/56/grattisvictoria.ram

PS: at minute 17 there´s a lovely scene of Victoria talking to a little handicapped boy (last winter she has spent a day with handicapped kids in the snow...Victoria often spends time with handicapped kids, but mostly we don´t get pics, and when, then they are often only of homepages of organisations)

I´ve found a little treasure...the last (at least I guess so) big interview with the King. It´s 6 and a half (!) years old, he talks about scouting, his children, aging...

http://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/9803/22/kungen.html

Maybe we can translate it in the next days...(teamwork) (?)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
CONTINUED....

Let’s close with some more general questions. To begin with: Were The King and Queen pre-informed about Princess Madeleine’s thing in Globen this fall, when she performed as the Spice Girls?
- Yes, we were. We didn’t know exactly what she was going to do, but we were informed of that something was going to happen. It was a fun thing, we thought.

Does The King also like the Spice Girls?
- Yes, I do. I heard that they are coming to Sweden to sing.

Will The King be in the audience?
- If I’m not busy, I will.

How is it with Crown Princess Victoria’s interest in the Scouts?
- Unfortunately she never became a Scout, but she does share my interest in animals and nature. She is very good at so-called “survival”, and has been given some education in this. She is actually more knowledgeable than me in this area.

Now Victoria is studying in the U.S.A. Carl Philip is in Värmland. Only Madeleine is still left with The King and Queen at Drottningholm. Does it feel a bit sad that the family has become so shattered in the last year?
- All families have the same problem, if one should call it a “problem”. You only have a few years together, and then everybody goes out to his or her own things. Work and education. It’s totally normal.

At Aftonbladet we were flooded with sympathies for the Royal Family in connection with the announcement of the Crown Princess’ illness before Christmas. Did you at the Palace get the same type of reactions?
- Many more than we suspected have been in the same situation. It’s surprisingly common with these kinds of problems.

Have The King and Queen at anytime regretted the decision to make Victoria’s eating disorders public?
- One should never regret anything. When you have made a decision, one should have thought it through thoroughly before.

Have The King and Queen, like many other parents in the same situation, ever taken any blame for what has happened to Victoria?
- No, I think it’s dangerous to dwell. It’s about finding a solution to a problem, it doesn’t help to walk around and think what faults you can have made. If any at all. For us it’s about moving on, not looking back.

How is Victoria feeling today?
- I spoke to her on the telephone yesterday evening. Everything is just fine with her.

When is she coming to home Sweden again?
- I’m not sure when her spring term is finished. But I hope to see her on the 6th of June, on the National Day.

When it comes to little sister Madeleine, there are rumours that she is going to attend the same school as Carl Philip who attends Lundsberg’s boarding school. Is it so?
- I don’t think it will be on the agenda, but it depends on how some things turns out. She has her interest in horseback riding, and even if there are possibilities for that at Lundsberg, she has her coach and club elsewhere. Besides, there is something called school. It’s hard to combine.

She is good at show jumping, isn’t she?
- There has been a break up time this past year. Madeleine has grown so fast that she has had to move through many different horses, and now she has gotten a new one again. Unfortunately this has been very hard for her.

Are you not worried when she show jumps, it’s a dangerous sport?
- No, it’s just fun. You can walk around and worry for everything. There is enough of dangerous thing in the world as it is.

The King himself looks to be in excellent shape. Do you work out a lot?
- No, not all actually. It’s so nice when you’ve reached the golden middle age. You don’t have to try so hard anymore.
 
Lena said:
I´ve found a little treasure...the last (at least I guess so) big interview with the King. It´s 6 and a half (!) years old, he talks about scouting, his children, aging...

http://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/9803/22/kungen.html

Maybe we can translate it in the next days...(teamwork) (?)
Here is my translation, maybe we'll get to perform teamwork another time - but I had time for this today: :)

It’s pleasant to be middle-aged!

King Carl XVI Gustaf in an exclusive interview with Aftonbladet. King Carl XVI Gustaf, soon to be 52 and always ready. He has always liked the Scouts. But on the question if he works out, he says: “No, not all actually. It’s so nice when you’ve reached the golden middle age. You don’t have to try so hard”.

For Aftonbladet’s Olof Brundin and photographer Joachim Lundgren, The King tells about his favourite movement – the Scouts, the contact with Victoria, family life and Spice Girls.


Hello King!
- God afternoon.

How are you?
- Fine, thank you.

The main theme for this interview is The King’s interest for the Scouts. The world is full of Scouts; there is talk about up to 25-30 million. Here in Swede there are 134 601 registered ones. Is The King content with this number?
- It’s a number that one could wish was a bit higher. Considering how many young people we have in Sweden, I think it should be able to grow.

The King himself has been a little “wolf kid” and then made a “career” as a Scout. How many years did it become?
- I was in them until my 14’s. At that time I moved to Sigtuna to study, and unfortunately there was not the same possibilities for scouting there.

I don’t know one single Scout that hasn’t been “forced” there by their parents. Who was it that made The King join the Scouts?
- It was my mother. The explanation is simple: both mother and father worked close to the Scouting movement. When I look in old family albums, I’ve seen that grandfather was very involved in the Scouts. He was often at meetings, both here at home and abroad.

The King became fatherless when father died in 1947. Could one, in this context, say that the Scouts have had a special meaning to The King, that the closeness to manly role models was more important than other youths?
- Maybe not quite like that, but I did have great comradeship during those years.
- And my eyes opened for the nature in a playful way.
- It was during the Scout time that I laid the foundation for the strong involvement for nature- and environmental care that I have today.


A conscience’s question: Has The King ever been successful in lighting a fire without matches?
- I think I have sometimes, but it’s hard. It’s really hard! And definitely not as easy as it seems in the instruction books.

The Scouting is often connected with the respect for animals and nature. But how do you teach kids respect also for other people?
- Scouting is much about being together. These games, which may seem quite childish and simple, are really very pedagogically built. You work in groups and solve the problems together. It’s also a good leadership education.

Scouts and Scouting leaders is a dear subject to Swedish humorists. It’s like “allowed” to make fun of Scouts. Has The King heard Martin Ljungs “Skojten” – the classical sketch from the 50’s?
- Yes, I have heard that one. As long as you don’t harm a third person, you can of course joke about things. We have to take that. If you can’t see things from the humoristic side, well….

Has The King maybe also seen “Lorry” on TV, where Johan Ulveson plays a quite pervert Scout leader with bizarre ideas?
- I think I have seen that. And I agree that it’s sometimes hard to see things from the humoristic side. When you are jumped on too much. But you have to be allowed to joke.

My kids think that Scouting is corny. How is this stamp going to be washed off?
- Sure there is a “corny stamp” on Scouts, but we are working to find new ways to wash it off. It’s not easy, but it’s about living up to today’s needs with the kids. At the same time one has to accept that Scouting is not for everyone.

Maybe it would be a good time to “hot up” the image, take an advertising agency to help, and make scouting a popular thing among today’s youth?
- It’s not something one does from one day to another. Work to renew is constantly occurring, but there are no given solutions. In the 60’s, for example, one shouldn’t even wear the Scout shirt. But it turned out that the kids themselves w a n t e d to wear them. They think it’s fun to feel the connection, the Scouting identity, and to get marks for the assignments you’ve passed.

But this military thing with a uniform, what is it really good for?
- The kids think it’s fun. If someone doesn’t want to wear it, they don’t have to, they don’t force people to do all sorts of strange things. In Sweden we have, compared to many other countries, a very soft image. In many other countries, the Scouts have a much more militant style, something that I personally take a step back on.

The uniforms are a way to create authority with the leaders, right?
- Some kids do need some controlling and guidance and some authority. Everyone hasn’t gotten that from home. Someone might not like the authority right there on the spot, but afterwards they feel that it gives strength, a security.

This sounds like the debate on “troublemakers” a few years ago.
- Many young people today enter the world of adults feeling lost. They don’t know how to behave towards others. How to simply behave. Far to many discover too late that “if I only would have had a bit more thoroughness and strength, and some more ground rules to relate too when I was younger, then it might have helped me now, later in life”.

Did The King feel like this himself?
- Yes, definitely. I remember the feeling of responsibility. To always be ready to help when it was needed. I felt it very much.

A good Scout wears knife. What does The King feel about the Swedish ban on knives?
- It’s about learning this from the beginning. In the Scouts, the kids learn to respect the knife and what it’s supposed to be used for. They learn that these are dangerous things, but that the knife is a very practical tool that you have a lot of use for in life.

Has The King tried to persuade Prince Carl Philip to return to the Scouts now when he has left them?
- I’m not very good at persuading people. He left because of the same reason I once did. It was hard to keep it up when one moves like he has.

CONTINUED IN THE NEXT POST >>>>>>>>>
 
Radio interview with Crown Princess Victoria, 8 October

This is my free translation of the little radio interview of Crown Princess Victoria - done by Daniel (!) Klaar for Swedish Radio Östergötland Friday 8 October:

(the first question is cut off in the interview clip)
- Generally it’s very important. But I have a special relation to children’s diabetes, and have been the protector of the Children’s Diabetes Fund for 15 years.
Why children’s diabetes?
- Children’s diabetes is a much larges disease that we think; it’s the biggest un-curable chronic disease that struck children.
How important is it with a research centre?
- Of course it’s very important. And it’s great that there’s finally come to be one in Linköping, a lot of expertise is concentrated here. I think it will work great, and of course it might generate a little extra interest and understanding etc. And hopefully that in it’s turn will lead to more support.
Many of Swedish Radio Östergötland’s listeners are interested in what goes on in the Royal Family. How is it to, as a Crown Princess, travel around the country and take part in different things?
- Very nice, it’s great to be able to visit so many places in Sweden. And to make a whole day like here is even more fun, to concentrate and to get to see as much as possible here in Linköping.
Are there other impressions that the Crown Princess has gotten from here before?
- Yes, of course. It’s a very beautiful country that’s full of culture and history that is important to preserve – like it’s done very nicely here.
We let three of our listeners ask a question:
Listener 1: Hi, my name is Henrik. For how long will the Crown Princess work with issues concerning handicap?
- It’s something that’s very important, and also something I feel should get more attention. It’s an area that needs support and help; it’s not always to get the means to last. As long as it’s welcomes, I’m glad to help.
Listener 2: Hi, my name is Esbjörn Sundin and I wonder how it feels for the Crown Princess that she will one day be regent over Sweden?
- It’s a big responsibility, and I look forward to it with joy – but I don’t think of that day in any special way, but try to do my job as well as possible in the role that I have today.
Listener 3: Barbro Johansson. Yesterday afternoon I was hiking in Ockelbo and I wonder which is the Crown Princess’ favourite spot there?
- Ockelbo is a very beautiful place, very nice in that way that it’s a small and friendly place, and is situated beautifully near a lake. But I have to say that Öland and our Solliden is very warm to my heart.
And where it Östergötland on the Crown Princess’ list?
- It’s also a very beautiful place, but I think I’ll keep to the top position that Öland and Solliden holds.
How does the Crown Princess see the fact of having such a planned life, the Crown Princess travels around and takes part in different things, and also studies this fall. Doesn’t the Crown Princess long for a free life, to be able to go to Konsum and buy your own milk?
- Both yes and no. I feel that it’s a safety to have structured life. It’s a bit complicated to squeeze in studies since I’m so slow at reading and need a lot of time for that, and it’s hard to plan. I feel that the studies comes a bit in-between, but it’s also important to have a balance between the official and then studies, which comes a bit in second hand.
What will the Crown Princess study this fall?
- Like it is now, it will be conflict solving and international relations. But I already feel that it’s a struggle with time, so we’ll see.
Let’s end with some quick questions, and see what the Crown Princess says when I say:
Östegötland?
- History, Saint Birgitta.
The King?
- Father.
Gossip magazines?
- What I think…. Should I get into that now? I’ll be here for a long while if I do… But... injustice.
The name Daniel?
- I’m thinking of you right now… No, just kidding! I can’t help to say that I think of my Daniel.
Thank you very much, Crown Princess!
- Thank you.
 
Thank you so much for finding and translating it, GrandDuchess! Cheeky Barbro Johansson gave me and obviously also Victoria a good laugh :D

The name Daniel?
I can’t help to say that I think of my Daniel.
And of course this comment has caused thoughts in me, which can be described with these two little comrades-> :D :eek:
 
I can’t help to say that I think of my Daniel.
I think she said "I can’t help to say that I think of my friend Daniel"
 
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