The Staff (& their work) of the Royal Family

[Lena]

I know that this is slightly off topic...and if the moderators feel, that it´s not suitable for LTR, then they should please remove it!
But as Elisabeth Tarras Wahlberg almost became a cult-person here, and because a Royal court is far more than the actual Royal family I decided to open an own thread. Here you can post and discuss all information about the organisation of the Royal court and the people who are involved (Lord stewarts/adjutants/ spokesmen/Royal cooks/florists/tailors...)


And the current reason why I´ve opened this thread is, that Elisabeth Tarras Wahlberg gave an quite open interview to Aftonbladet...she talked about her unfaithful ex-husband (how could he dare!!!), and a lot about her work and the Royal family. I probably will try to translate it later.

Interview-in swedish

[GrandDuchess]

Here is the translation of Aftonbladet's interview with Elisabeth Tarras-Wahlberg!

My husband found another woman

This summer, Elisabeth Tarras-Wahlberg is going make paintings and think through her life. This spring was the worst she has ever experienced during her 28 years at the Royal Court: Brunei, speeding and engagement rumours. And her own 50-years crisis.

I can see her head from far away on the terrace where we have decided to meet; an airy silver helmet (meaning her hair). Clothes in a controlled black and white, matching jewellery. The figure/body is like one of a young girl; 15 kilos disappeared during 12 months at her divorce a few years ago. She likes to keep her weight.

We sit down in the chair; she speaks about mother-complexes, the job as the Crown Princess’s mentor – and why she feels that The King is being bullied in public.

There is something strict and authoritarian about you, where does it come from?
- Mm. Many people say so. Maybe it’s because it’s important in my job to be exact and clear. For outsiders it can be like strictness. As a private person I laugh very easily. It’s quite easy to find the fun parts in the job too.

What is comical about what happened in Brunei?
- Comical is the wrong word. But never before has a state visit been so written about. And then what happened – you know they found a memo from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs with these exact wordings about Brunei like “open country”. Well, it felt a bit funny, it’s worth a smile.

Describe your upbringing…
- We were a very close family, very loving. A home without any fuss on the countryside of Skåne outside Kristianstad. No luxury. Father was a veterinarian and mother a housewife. She had a very conventional woman’s role.

How has it characterized you?
- For a long time I had trouble getting away from her ideals and realise that I don’t have to bake and do all the food from seed to finished bread (her she uses an old Swedish saying/proverb, which I tried to translate so that you understand).

How were you as a girl?
- Very shy, insecure, insignificant. Was often marked as a swot. Was never asked to dance at school dances if I went to them. I wasn’t really noticed. Except fir when I got good grades.

What were you afraid of?
- To make a fool of myself, I think. In front of boys, but also girlfriends. In front of everybody. I lisped – well, I still do. Father called my history teacher and asked him that I should not have to read out loud in the classes. Because I couldn’t, I couldn’t get out a word.

How did you get over it?
- It took time. But when I went to the USA to study, I wasn’t shy, but I think I have mothers Småland:sih stubbornness. I wanted to become an interpreter and there was no pre-education in Sweden. In Massachusetts, at an all-girls college, I got a so-called academic adviser who thought me that I was good enough.

How did you come to the Royal Court?
- I was at the Swedish Institute and in the same house was also the Ministry of Foreign Affairs information office where Jan Mårtensson was the boss. He took me to the Royal Court 1976, there had been a wedding and the press department had their hands full.

What did you think about the Royal House then?
- Nothing really. I didn’t read gossip magazines. But when Jan described the medias interest for the Court, I became interested. Because no newspaper wrote one line about what I was doing.

What do you think about The King and Queen now, after 28 years?
- They are extremely professional. I see them as a family business. We have a working relationship, but with a deep knowledge also about how we are as persons. They trust me, I think. But just because of that, it doesn’t mean we spend time with each other in private.

Where does the personal line go?
- I don’t have any special position, even though I’ve been here for 28 years. Many people think that I’m a good friend to them, and get invited to their private dinners. That is not the case. But I can, just as the other staff, get invited to a working lunch at Drottningholm.

You and The Queen are about the same age, what do you have in common as women?
- It’s hard to express. Take The Queen’s interest in exploited children – it’s a personal interest. But even if she asks how my children are, we don’t ask each other for advice when our children are sick. We don’t speak as friends about how we are.

I don’t really understand the line…
- No, well it’s hard to explain. Like in all family businesses. The professional and the private role go into each other in many ways of course. I get a lot of knowledge about the family, because they are a part of the business. But I don’t run into their office without an errand.

How do you handle questions in your personal life about The King and Queen?
- It happens that some person tries to use me as a channel into the family. But it’s very easy to discover what the reason for inviting me to lunch is. A long time ago I made clear to my friends and family that my job is secluded, I don’t speak about it, and I never review my bosses.

But sometime you have to be allowed to “puke” over your boss?
- But for that you have the colleagues, we’re a team. We’re open towards each other.

Also about being irritated on the boss?
- Even for that.

What does the Swedes feel about The King, do you think?
- One journalist once said that he’s so “Swedish”, and that’s why people like him.

Swedish how?
- He has difficulties to express himself at times, he likes the nature. He’s not a very demanding person. Quite the opposite, he doesn’t like when people fuss and fawn around him.

But the magic? There is no royal glimmer around a man who liked to shoot mosses but not talking.
- It’s a question of balance. A symbol you’re supposed to be able to identify yourself with – but not too much. I think The Queen stands for much of the other, charm and beauty.

Do you ever think, like after Brunei, that “oh no, the boss is making a blunder again”?
- Well, he’s a dyslectic. He never answers shortly but speaks for a while. The Crown Princess is the same. But everybody doesn’t want to have that insight and show understanding. I can say that no other handicapped person is allowed to be bullied in public like The King is.

Bullied?
- Yes. It’s very obvious when you read the newspaper clips. That hunt was public bullying. Stupid, dumb…. All those adjectives. On the line to slander.

How can you help him?
- It’s difficult. You can prepare yourself and go through it – and we do. But it’s hard to point out.

Do you get irritated, or struck by compassion?
- I can feel hope in that his way to speak and be is well known to most journalists and most of them are able to get the important things out of it. There are important nuances in long statements. For those who have the patience, can and wants to understand.

Isn’t it easier if he learns to answer directly?
- Yes, but there is also an urge to do well from The King, to give.

Is he hurt?
- Yes. He is more reduced now, we think. He has no urge to do interviews. (laugh) He thinks, “If I don’t say anything it’s wrong, and if I do say something it’s wrong too”.

What did you think when he speeded?
- From my professional point of view I can think that it was a little… unnecessary. Because I know what it means.

Overtime for you?
- Yes, at the least (laught). Then I can think, as a Swedish citizen, that most people drive too fast sometimes. A few weeks ago I went with a car on exactly that stretch and we were stopped for speeding. The driver tried to explain himself, as you often do. So the police officer looked into where I sat and said “The only one who can get away is your boss”.

You’re Crown Princess Victoria’s mentor, what do you advice her now, when the interest for the boyfriend is huge?
- She thinks that when she is in private with her boyfriend, she is also being private. I try to tell her that what is hard to get is the most exciting.

How should she be instead, be more open?
- It’s hard to say. But I don’t think so, not right now. She is now aware of that the day she turns up in public with Daniel Westling, like for example at a christening – then it’s the same as she had made her choice. But she hasn’t done that yet.

What if fun, do you think?
- A lot. I love beautiful things, clothes, and environments. To find interior decorating details who aren’t expensive. Last time a striped cotton cloth from Indiska in cool colours.

What hollows/depression have you had in life?
- Maybe I’m having one now. A late 50-year crisis? When it’s been stormy at work, I’ve had a safe harbour at home. I don’t have that in the same way after my divorce. After this spring when it’s been messy and stormy I haven’t been able to sail in somewhere, even though I have my great children.

Why did you divorce?
- My husband found another woman. I don’t think I’ve handled that enough – yet. I’ve put it off and dived into work.

It’s not a shame to be abandoned?
- No, oh no. I don’t see it that way. But I’m now in a searching after next epoch. It’s been said that there’s three teen stages of life: the real teens, the 50’s and the 70’s. It’s the changing times.

- How would you like to change?
It’s about my longing for comfort and security. To know where I stand and what I want. That I’m gonna think about this summer. I have been prescribed to do watercolour painting!

[Lena]

Originally posted by GrandDuchess@Jul 3rd, 2004 - 3:23 pm
Here is the translation of Aftonbladet's interview with Elisabeth Tarras-Wahlberg! I hope it's okay that I did it Lena?

Of course it is!! :flower: Thanks a lot for doing it. It would have been a little bit long for me, as both, english and swedish aren´t my native languages...well, it surely was a lot of work for you as well, though being a Swede. :flower:

[Yennie]

Jennie´s photo madness is here :P

some pics of ETW:

Funny pic
with her daughters Filippa and Louisa
with the boss
Elisabeth and Victoria in Uganda
*lol*
Elisabeth and Victoria 1995
In Paris shopping with Victoria

[Lena]

Originally posted by Yennie@Jul 3rd, 2004 - 4:26 pm
Jennie´s photo madness is here :P

some pics of ETW:

Funny pic
with her daughters Filippa and Louisa
with the boss
Elisabeth and Victoria in Uganda
*lol*
Elisabeth and Victoria 1995
In Paris shopping with Victoria

Jennie´s photo madness is a great "gift" for the community

Here it seems as if ETW and Victoria would be friends...even though she´s very "modest" about her connections to the RF in the interview

[Yennie]

haha, perhaps Lena :P

I think she has a close bond(sp?) to the rf, but as she said, its more of a professional one. They dont have dinners together, but she is very close to them. Especially to Victoria, they have made some trips, like the one to Africa, together. Elisabeth Tarras Whalberg is also co-writer of some of the books written about the rf, like "Victoria, Victoria!"

[hrhcp]

Excellent topic, Lena .. wish I would have thought of it.

Is this just going to be all about ETW, or are we -- you (Lena) and I -- going to get on our knees and beg Yennie and GrandDuchess to dig up some poop on CG's personal butler, Sylvia's longest serving assistant, the chef, the servers and so on ? :flower:

[Lena]

Originally posted by King Christian@Jul 3rd, 2004 - 4:51 pm
Excellent topic, Lena .. wish I would have thought of it.

Is this just going to be all about ETW, or are we -- you (Lena) and I -- going to get on our knees and beg Yennie and GrandDuchess to dig up some poop on CG's personal butler, Sylvia's longest serving assistant, the chef, the servers and so on ? :flower:

This can and should be about ALL people at the court.
Though her holiness ETW has a sepcial place in my , but of course all members of the Royal court are interesting, since they have a very special job (like in fairy tales)

[hrhcp]

... and over here in the corner behind you ... I stand ready ..... holding the pillow with the glass slipper.

[Lena]

Portrait about the carekeeper of the Royal household Ebba von Mecklenburg....video included

I will translate this later.

[hrhcp]

A start ...

Im Dienste der Royals: Die schwedische Haushofmeisterin Ebba von Mecklenburg

Sie ist der gute Geist im königlichen Schloss von Stockholm - auch wenn Ebba von Mecklenburgs offizielle Funktion mit "Hofhausmeisterin" umschrieben wird. Ganz früh an diesem Morgen verlässt Ebba das Schloss, in der auch sie eine kleine Wohnung hat. Das gehört bei ihrem Job dazu, erzählt Ebba uns, deren deutschstämmige Familie vor fünf Generationen nach Schweden ausgewandert ist. Heute steht der wöchentliche Besuch beim Blumenhändler auf dem Programm. Was Ebba hier aussucht, muss ganz bestimmte Kriterien erfüllen: Blumen für den Hof dürfen nicht riechen, keine Allergien auslösen und sollen lange halten. Ebba trifft die Auswahl normalerweise alleine, nur bei speziellen Anlässen reden andere mit.

Die Hüterin des Schlosses

"Vor einem Staatsbesuch gibt es zum Beispiel immer einen Vorbesuch, bei dem man sich unser Haus ansieht. Der findet viele Wochen, manchmal auch mehrere Monate vorher statt. Eine der obligatorischen Fragen ist dann: Gibt es besondere Wünsche bezüglich der Blumen? Sind die Gäste allergisch? Mögen sie vielleicht die eine oder andere Blume nicht? Wir wollen schließlich, dass unsere Gäste einen so schönen Aufenthalt wie möglich in unserem Schloss haben", erklärt die Haushofmeisterin.

Wenn trotz dieser Vorgespräche doch noch Fragen offen bleiben, bittet Ebba die Königin um Audienz. Königin Silvia kümmert sich, wann immer es geht, persönlich um die Vorbereitungen und zeigt dabei, dass sie ein besonderes Händchen für Blumen und eine Vorliebe für Orchideen hat. Ebba hat am Morgen bemerkt, dass die Lieblingsblume im Büro der Königin die Köpfe hängen lässt und hat daraufhin Nachschub gekauft, der mit besonderer Fürsorge behandelt wird.

Visite in der Wäschekammer

Zurück ins Stadtschloss, das die offizielle Residenz des Königspaares ist. Eine Art königlicher Dienstsitz, gewohnt wird auf Schloss Drottningholm. Aus der königlichen Wäschekammer hat man einen guten Blick auf die Wachablösung, von der auch Ebba sich gerne einen Moment ablenken lässt. Mit Tula, der Leiterin der Wäschekammer, bespricht sie, welche der wertvollen Damast- oder Leinen-Tischdecken beim nächsten Essen zum Einsatz kommen.

Unter Tulas Aufsicht wird die gesamte Wäsche per Hand kalt gemangelt und getrocknet – eine wahre Sisyphosarbeit: "Sie müssen bedenken, dass für einen großen Tisch etwa sieben bis acht Tischdecken gebraucht werden und 170 Servietten. Es dauert ungefähr drei Monate bis die Wäsche wieder im Schrank ist. Sie muss ja mehrmals gemangelt werden und dann trocknen. Dann werden mögliche Flecke mit Chlor und Q-Tips entfernt.

Immer Ärger mit Souvenirjägern

Die Vorbereitungen für ein Galadinner im Spiegelsaal des Schlosses dauern mindestens eine Woche. Bis schließlich alles akkurat ausgerichtet ist und vor dem prüfenden letzten Blick ihrer Majestät besteht. Was aus der Wäschekammer als Serviette kam, ist nun ein wahres Kunstwerk - unter dem sich übrigens ein Knäckebrot verbirgt. Wenn es kein Galaessen gibt, ist der Spiegelsaal öffentlich zugängig, was Ebba vermutlich nicht nur mit Wohlwollen sieht. Auf ihrem heutigen Kontrollgang entdeckt sie, dass mal wieder Teile der Wandverzierung abgebrochen worden sind – die goldenen Ornamente sind bei den Besuchern als Andenken beliebt.

Verantwortlich für das "schönste Haus in Schweden"

In den Gästesalons hat sich die Borte an einem Sofa gelöst, Ebba zeigt dem Hausmädchen Anna was zu tun ist. Als letztes hat hier das jordanische Königspaar gewohnt. Bis zu vier Staatsbesuche sind es im Jahr. Anna putzt auch, wenn keine Gäste da sind. Im Winter manchmal mit Handschuhen, denn dann wird im großen Schloss nur spärlich geheizt.

Nicht einfach, denn hier braucht auch die Putzfrau das richtige Fingerspitzengefühl, so Ebba: "Man kann nicht so sauber machen wie in einem normalen Büro. Hier ist es wie in einem Museum, da herrschen ganz andere Voraussetzungen. Man darf zum Beispiel nicht viel Wasser nehmen und man darf auch kein Ajax benutzen. Hier spürt man ständig den Geist der Geschichte, in einem solchen Haus ist soviel passiert." Ebba ist stolz darauf, hier arbeiten und wohnen zu dürfen. "Im schönsten Haus Schwedens" wie sie zum Abschied sagt.

In Royal Service: The swedish Royal Court Chamberlin (hope that's the right word) Ebba von Mecklenburg

She is the good ghost of the royal palace of Stockholm - even when Ebba von Mecklenburgs official title is Court caretaker. Ebba leaves very early this morning from her small apartment in the Palace. Ebba shares with us, that this is part of her job. Her family emigrated to Sweden five generations ago. The program for today includes the weekly visit from the flower shop. The criteria that Ebba checks here is: flowers delivered to the Court must not smell, must not cause allergies, and must have a long shelf life. Ebba usually makes the decisions on the selections ... only for special occasions does she defer to others.

The Curator of the Palace

"Typically before a State Visit there is for example a pre-visit, to check out our House, which occurs weeks if not months beforehand. Some of the required questions then are, "Are there special requests with respect to flowers? Do the guests have allergies? Are they disinclined to one or the other flower?" The Court Chamberlin goes on, "It is our desire naturally that our Guests have as fine a stay as possible in our Palace."

If despite these pre-meetings, there are still questions, then Ebba requests an audience with the Queen. Queen Silvia personally involves herself, when she can, with the preparations and demonstrates a personal touch with flowers and a preference for orchids. Ebba noticed this morning that the favourite flower in the Queen's office is drooping and bought a replacement that is handled with care and special attentiveness.

[Lena]

Hey this is cool...when I say today "I will translate it later" other ppl do the work...thanks....1000 thanks King Christian :flower:

[hrhcp]

I figured you and me could share .. less work that way. :)

[Alisa]

Many thanks to King Christian, Lena, and Grand Duchess for translating. Wonderful insights. :flower:

I think it is terribly sad that because of the press the King is reduced to think this way:

He thinks, “If I don’t say anything it’s wrong, and if I do say something it’s wrong too”.

:(

[hrhcp]

Alisa  Posted: Jul 3rd, 2004 - 10:31 am

I think it is terribly sad that because of the press the King is reduced to think this way:

Quite.

... what a star to be born under ... blessed with Silvia and having a tongue that "has two left hands".....