The Tsunami in South East Asia (Reactions of the Swedish Royals)

[Dennism]

Queen Margrethe will be giving her highly anticipated New Year´s speech in two hours. I´m sure she will bring this up this tragedy.

[susan alicia]

Originally Posted by Alexandria

Thank you GrandDuchess and Dennism for your agreement and support.

I do think that when times are difficult and a country's fellow citizens are experiencing such turmoil and loss, true leaders and leadership emerge. It's not what your actions are when times are peaceful and good but it's what you do when times are difficult that reflect most upon your nature. As it is, I am already quite disappointed in my own government's slowness to commit a significant amount of aid money when other nations, including Norway had committed many millions already.

Throughout this tragedy, I have heard more from King Carl Gustav than I think I have heard from him all year, and how shaken up the King and Queen are by this tragedy is evident through the tears shed and the public grief expressed.

Short of being on their own deathbeds, we should've at least seen Victoria, Carl Phillip and Madeleine by now. They are not five or six year olds for whom a loss and tragedy of such magnitude is incomprehensible. They are adults for whom such tragedy is understandable, and adults for whom much is given, much is expected.

Does the media comment on their absence?

An explanation must be given in the coming days, it is not logical that this tragedy would leave anyone cold, they are probably just as shocked as the most of us.

It is just enormously stupid, not to appear.

[machievelli]

I have to bloody chime in and completely agree with everyone's disappointment with the royal children of Sweden, Denmark, and Norway.

I'm from the UK. I was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland. I go to university in Texas now. I'm not the biggest fan of the monarchy, but I like some members. But it's troubling times like these when I see some very priviledged royal family members who are not pulling their weight or who are not holding up their end of the bargain, when I feel that there is no need for the monarchy. I'm really disappointed that the royal children and the heirs are not pulling their weight or giving back to their nations during this enormous tragedy.

I really thought Victoria would have at least gone to the church with her parents. All she had to do is show up, say a few prayers, and make her presence known to the Swedish public. Victoria is going to be the queen of Sweden. So she should have made her presence felt through being there for the Swedish people. Or she could have sent her condolences to all of the Swedes and people worldwide who have been affected by the tsunami tragedy. It would have been very easy to do these things. The royals are very rich, priviledged, and get loads of perks for their high positions. It is true that much is expected from people who have so much in their lives.

All of the royal children from Sweden, Denmark, and Norway should be grieving with their nations and offering comfort. But especially the heirs to the thrones Victoria, Haakon, Fredrick, etc. No one will think they can lead if they shirk their responsibilities and not show leadership and compassion when their nations need them. I have to say I'm more disappointed in Victoria because I felt she was more sensible, current, and compassionate than the rest. So to see her not making her presence felt in this great time of need worldwide is very unsettling. I can only hope they all come to their senses and make their presence felt on this issue next year.

[Alexandria]

Originally Posted by Larzen

In Denmark I see the Queen wil host the yearly Nyttårs kur tomorrow, when Sweden and Norway will have a national day of mourning, a big gala party for all the important people in Denmark, I find it tasteless to dress up in big dresses an tiaras when 100s of Danes are missing and even more people looking and waiting for the loved ones. That means that the first pics we will see of the royals seens the tragedy happened is in gala dresses. I sincerely hope they will cancel the party

Actually the party has now been cancelled (likely announced very soon after your post here). If you can read Danish, from the official web page of the royal family:
http://kongehuset.dk/artikel.php?id=66415

Originally Posted by Larzen

And according to rumours Haakon and MM is on Vacation in Brazil. Its a Se og Hør rumour only, but they did not attend the service with the King and Queen so I tend to belive it is true. They should have returned at once, I sincerly hope to not see any pictures of them relaxing on some beach in Brazil when people are walking the beaches in Thailand looking for their loved ones. The heir to the throne should be in Norway when possibly 500 norwegians including 100 children are possible dead,

I don't think it matters so much where Haakon and Mette-Marit grieve or show their support for the Norwegian people. If they are in Brazil, I think it is important, even essential, that the CP couple make an appearance at a church in Brazil and release some sort of statement of condolence to their fellow Norwegian citizens.

Originally Posted by GrandDuchess

The royal children are all adults, and I have also thought that they know what their role of being a member of the Royal Family – the family of our Head of State’s family – includes. It gives them many benefits and perks, but with their position also comes a great deal of responsibility and an important official public role.

Since all of the royal children have given the impression of accepting their roles and titles by taking on some official duties and attending important ceremonies of state – it also encompasses a role to be leaders and symbols for the country and its people at all times, especially the hard ones.

I agree completely GrandDuchess.

If the royal children were 16 or 17 I could understand a bit the age factor. But the fact is they are adults now, and as they have always given the impression of being mature and responsible adults, now is not the time to make excuses for them about their lack of presence.

About "forcing" them to meet all the people who have lost loved ones. First of all, I'm sure all of those people would rather be meeting the CP, Prince and Princess under more positive, happy circumstances rather than this dismal one. Secondly, on a regular basis they meet strangers all the time. How many hundreds of photos have we seen of Victoria, Carl Phillip and Madeleine shaking hands and making small talk with people of various organizations and that didn't seem to bother them.

While grief and loss are difficult things to deal with, it is also a part of life. While it may be hard for them to look at these people who have lost family and loved ones, think how much harder it is for the six year old child who has lost her mother or father or both?

[Britters]

I'm not trying to defend Victoria, Carl Phillip, and Madeleine, but with so many dead and missing from Sweden, in a place, that is rather expensive to visit at times, how do we not know that they have lost loved ones of their own and are simply grieving in private? I understand that the nation "needs" to see them at a time like this, but unlike other Royal families, some aren't altogether willing to just put on a happy face or publicly show their grief. It's one thing to be sad when it's someone you know, or many people and you are showing your respect to the families of those who have been lost, and quite another to lose someone yourself and have to put yourself out there on display.

[Regina]

I'm so impressed with this tragedy... So many people have died! This year was not very happy (March.11 in Spain, now this in Asia, yesterday in Argentina...) so I pray that we all have a better 2005.
I agree it's a shame what is happening with this Royal Families, the Heirs has not shown themselves and they are needed now to support people!! This tragedy could have happened to themselves!!!
This persons have so many titles, are so rich, do what they want... but are very, very insensibles... it's a pity!

[laduchesse]

I believe there is a memorial service in Denmark on January 2 and the Crown Prince and Crown Princess will be in attendance.

[susan alicia]

Originally Posted by Britters

I'm not trying to defend Victoria, Carl Phillip, and Madeleine, but with so many dead and missing from Sweden, in a place, that is rather expensive to visit at times, how do we not know that they have lost loved ones of their own and are simply grieving in private? I understand that the nation "needs" to see them at a time like this, but unlike other Royal families, some aren't altogether willing to just put on a happy face or publicly show their grief. It's one thing to be sad when it's someone you know, or many people and you are showing your respect to the families of those who have been lost, and quite another to lose someone yourself and have to put yourself out there on display.

& carl philip and madeleine would not be able to make an appearance, even they really wanted to, without victoria, it would make her absence even more obvious.

[mixer2002de]

Originally Posted by susanstotz

& carl philip and madeleine would not be able to make an appearance, even they really wanted to, without victoria, it would make her absence even more obvious.

But I think Vicky could have gone from ockelbo to Stockholm and back again. If not, well....

[Alexandria]

Originally Posted by susanstotz

& carl philip and madeleine would not be able to make an appearance, even they really wanted to, without victoria, it would make her absence even more obvious.

But isn't Victoria's absence already quite apparent?

Better for Carl Phillip and Madeleine to make an appearance than none at all.

And this matter, for me at least, isn't about making someone else look bad or worst. It's about showing support for your fellow citizens and grieving with them.

[susan alicia]

Originally Posted by Alexandria

But isn't Victoria's absence already quite apparent?

Better for Carl Phillip and Madeleine to make an appearance than none at all.

And this matter, for me at least, isn't about making someone else look bad or worst. It's about showing support for your fellow citizens and grieving with them.

in the hierarchy of a royal family victoria is more important than her brother and sister and they would try to not to shame her.

It is possible that all 3 of them did not feel like it (not probable) and that gives the 2 younger ones a "way out". we will never know.

[Lena]

Originally Posted by susanstotz

we will never know.

IMO so far it´s not too late. Many of the Swedish tourists are still in south Asia, most of the dead bodies aren´t transfered to Sweden. The tragedy is still a big topic in the media and of course in the hearts of the people. Many even so far haven´t realised emotionally what has happened. In other words Sweden still needs the support of it´s leaders. So if the Royal children would appear soon, I would "forgive" them their absence in the first days. But if they indeed make holidays as usual until the 7th of 8th of january, then I wouldn´t mind if someone would contact on the 3rd or 4th of january Aftonbladet´s Daniel Nyhlén and Expressen´s Johan T. Lindwall and would ask them, where the Royal children are and why they don´t help Sweden in those sad times.

[GrandDuchess]

As I’ve just watched the first part of the directly broadcasted fundraising evening on SVT, I just wanted to report that the King, Queen, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Madeleine are there in the studio. The King and Queen were known before to attend – but it was very nice to see the two royal children at their parents’ side.

Crown Princess Victoria was not able to attend as she is abroad… (has she heard of airplanes?) *sigh* I think it’s really rotten of her to be abroad (romantic holiday with Danne?… that would be hitting rock-bottom for this time being) at a time of national mourning and Sweden’s worst catastrophe in modern history. I’m hugely disappointed at her.

One of the programme hosts had a short sit-down talk with them.

The King’s opening comment/statement was excellent. He said so many important things in such a good way; I will even confess it made my emotions tremble a bit again.

The Queen also made a good comment/statement, which was good as always – and she pointed out that the best thing she could do was if she could give every affected person a hug (but of course she can’t) – and she stressed how important it is to take care and comfort each other, talk and to never leave each other’s side.

Prince Carl Philip was also made a good comment/statement, and besides some “general” things, he pointed out that there have been many children who have returned home without their parents – and that they might not reach out to adults in the same way as to people in their own age (like friends etc), and that it’s extra important then for adults to take time with the children and support them in their processing of this tragedy, and helping them in helping their friends in the process.

Princess Madeleine didn’t say much, she agreed with her brother and said it’s important to give financial support (they all did - as it's a fundraising evening).

Being the close royal follower I am (not always being happy and content with what the King or other royals say or do) – I must say that the way the King and Queen has handled this time of mourning has been excellent, and it does indeed provide some comfort and also pride.

PS. Prince Carl Philip really impressed me. It sounded like he had “taken” Victoria’s place in her absence tonight and spoke very wisely in a calm and mature way. DS.

[Lena]

Thank you very much for giving us an impression, Granny. I´m very very happy, that Carl Philip and Madeleine joined their parents.
But as you´ve already expressed, I´m also very angry about crown princess Victoria!

[Josefine]

i am still wondering if its so that victoria is effected thats why she is not there

[Lena]

Originally Posted by Josefine

i am still wondering if its so that victoria is effected thats why she is not there

I guess, when she would be affected, her parents would have talked about this. Though I can understand, that posters search for excuses for the crown princess´absence, I fear we have to face the facts: For Victoria, holidays with her Daniel are more important than her nation (and many other nations too) suffering from a terrible tragedy of unebelievable dimensions.

[kwanfan]

It's a shame that Victoria hasn't made an appearence. But good for Madeline and Carl Phillip for appearing with their parents!