Press Reports about Carl Philip and Sofia Hellqvist, Part 1: Jan. 2010 - April 2012

[LadyFinn]

But Letizia by no stretch of the imagination was 'a suitable woman'.

But Juan Carlos gave Felipe the permission to marry Letizia, but he didn´t give him permission to marry Eva Sannum...

 

[Soli Deo Gloria]

Here is the article, it is online now.
The article says that the meeting between Sofia, Carl Philip and the King and the Queen went well on Solliden. But just a couple of days later the photos of Sofia with very little clothes on were published at the Italian media. A friend informed the Queen and she became furious. She had known a long time about the Paradise Hotel and the photos in Slitz. The Queen demanded a direct meeting with Carl Philip. There she made it clear to her son that it was extremely inappropriate and that he should take an indefinite break from the relationship with Sofia Hellqvist. Carl Philip chose not to obey.
Därför vill Silvia slippa Sofia - Nyheter - Senaste nytt | Expressen
Google Translate

... and as usual this Lindwall Guy knows EXACTLY what happend and what was said at a private lunch at the castle . He is always telling: "friends to the royal family told".... so my suggestion to the royal family is to make new friends Or we can all read "Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf" instead of his articles...

 

[mattep74]

Check what Expressen writes vs what Aftonbladet writes. Aftonbladet never writes any new info. Expressen delievers the most accurate news about the family.

Anyone seen the West wing? I get the feeling that Lindwall is like Danny Concannon and the leaks are actually coming from familymembers that want something said.

IF this is true that the queen dont like Sofia there is a big chance that the king dont like her either and then there is no wedding

 

[rominet09]

Check what Expressen writes vs what Aftonbladet writes. Aftonbladet never writes any new info. Expressen delievers the most accurate news about the family.

Anyone seen the West wing? I get the feeling that Lindwall is like Danny Concannon and the leaks are actually coming from familymembers that want something said.

IF this is true that the queen dont like Sofia there is a big chance that the king dont like her either and then there is no wedding

Is already hints of a wedding in Sweden ? It would be a little fast no ?

 

[Charlotte1]

But Juan Carlos gave Felipe the permission to marry Letizia, but he didn´t give him permission to marry Eva Sannum...

Felipe had learned his lesson from his 2 previous relationships and the pressure that was put on him. He kept his relationship with Letizia well hidden, Eva Sannum never got to the 'getting the King's permission' stage because Felipe was put under pressure to end the relationship. With Letizia he presented the court with a fait accompli, this is the woman I am going to marry, the King was left with no option but to give his permission. Juan Carlos had given his whole life to the restoration of the Spanish monarchy, with Felipe standing firm on Letizia there was little he could do but grant permission. Certainly with Letizia's background she was not a suitable candidate, but as I've seen written elsewhere. Once Haakon had lowered the bar in relation to who could become crown princess, Felipe was able to use that to his advantage.

 

[LadyFinn]

Petra Larzelius took the photo of Carl Philip and Sofia at the carting track. The photo has been chosen as "the photo of the month taken by readers" of Aftonbladet and Petra got 7100 SEK = about 760 euros.
Prinsens kärlek blev månadens läsarbild | Nyheter | Aftonbladet

 

[amedea]

But Letizia by no stretch of the imagination was 'a suitable woman'.

IMHO Letizia was chosen by the King and the Queen (probably more the Queen) more than by Felipe itself. I will always look at this wedding as an arranged one.

Back to topic, I've seen that what caused the frustration of Silvia were the reports of the Italian press. In fact the most prestigious Italian newspaper talked about it. They tell the story without drama, as royal gossip stories are usually told, but they use quite strong words to define Sofia: "porn dancer" is in the title, then pornstar in the article. Her job is described as "dancing naked with a snake in a night club called Paradise Hotel, the place she met CP in". Then they talk about the palyboy and cheating traditions among the Swedish kings, not sparing CG and saying that for this reason Silvia was said to want divorce some years ago. La porno ballerina ha sedotto il principe della Svezia - Corriere della Sera
The article has a gallery with some of the "best" shots od Sofia (including the snake one) that of course made the article very much read, at least in the online edition.

 

[nascarlucy]

Why would the fact that Isabel parents were divorced even be a problem? This had nothing to do with her. She wasn't the one that was divorced.

 

[Moonmaiden23]

Felipe had learned his lesson from his 2 previous relationships and the pressure that was put on him. He kept his relationship with Letizia well hidden, Eva Sannum never got to the 'getting the King's permission' stage because Felipe was put under pressure to end the relationship. With Letizia he presented the court with a fait accompli, this is the woman I am going to marry, the King was left with no option but to give his permission. Juan Carlos had given his whole life to the restoration of the Spanish monarchy, with Felipe standing firm on Letizia there was little he could do but grant permission. Certainly with Letizia's background she was not a suitable candidate, but as I've seen written elsewhere. Once Haakon had lowered the bar in relation to who could become crown princess, Felipe was able to use that to his advantage.

Your last sentence confirms what I have already believed...the lowering of the bar by both Felipe and Haakon especially has opened the floodgates for all time...so that now ANYTHING, and I do mean anything, goes.

BTW...I will never believe that the marriage of Felipe and Letizia was an arranged one...who in their right mind thinks Juan Carlos or his upright Queen would choose a commoner divorcee who was rumored to be an agnostic as the future Queen of Spain? What probably happened is that Felipe, like Haakon before him, threatened to renounce his title and position if he did not get his own way. Both are only sons, and their parents had no choice but to cave. Except in Juan Carlos's position he could have called Felipe's bluff and named his eldest grandson Juan Froilan de Marichalar as Heir.

Sometimes, I wish he had.
No one should be surprised about PCP's latest girlfriend, it was only a matter of time.

 

[nascarlucy]

With Prince Phillip, it seems like his parents didn't seem to like any woman he was involved with (they seemed to find fault with everyone of them). Some of it was justified but others times it was not.

I doubt if Queen Sylvia or King Carl Gustav would approve such a marriage.

Nowadays there are a lot of royals who would be willing to give up crown or titles for the woman they want to marry. This is different from generations ago.

 

[Lorette]

Why would the fact that Isabel parents were divorced even be a problem?

Because Spain is a catholic country and its reigning family supposed to be good catholics and in that religion one does not/cannot divorce. Rembemer Caroline of Monaco took the pain to annull her first marriage through the pope? But alas, as Europe falls into degeneration, the old laws fall with her.

 

[Blue_Stocking]

With Prince Phillip, it seems like his parents didn't seem to like any woman he was involved with (they seemed to find fault with everyone of them). Some of it was justified but others times it was not.

I doubt if Queen Sylvia or King Carl Gustav would approve such a marriage.

Nowadays there are a lot of royals who would be willing to give up crown or titles for the woman they want to marry. This is different from generations ago.

What did they find wrong with Emma? I always got the impression that the Queen at least really liked her and perhaps even saw her as the future princess Emma.

 

[amedea]

BTW...I will never believe that the marriage of Felipe and Letizia was an arranged one...who in their right mind thinks Juan Carlos or his upright Queen would choose a commoner divorcee who was rumored to be an agnostic as the future Queen of Spain?

Because they feared that choosing a royal or noble girl, maybe from abroad, would have made Spanish people think that the Royal family had nothing to do with Spain, democracy and the XXI century anymore.
A Spanish girl, already popular between the Spanish, who built her career by herself and whose career was a serious and difficult one seemed then the perfect choice.

 

[Charlotte1]

Because they feared that choosing a royal or noble girl, maybe from abroad, would have made Spanish people think that the Royal family had nothing to do with Spain, democracy and the XXI century anymore.
A Spanish girl, already popular between the Spanish, who built her career by herself and whose career was a serious and difficult one seemed then the perfect choice.

The only problem with this view is that Letizia may have been a popular newsreader but she was not princess material. A commoner divorcee, even if Spanish, was not the first choice for Felipe. Isabel Santorius (when the princess bar was very high) was considered unsuitable, despite being Spanish and noble because her parents were divorced.

Juan Carlos and Sofia did nothing to show that a royal from abroad as Felipe's wife would be a problem. Infact the opposite, as soon as Felipe reached dating age, Sofia started taking him to foreign royal events hoping that, this princess, or that countess 'would catch his eye'. If there had been an arranged marriage it would have been with Princess Tatiana of Leitchenstein, both sets of parents were pushing it. Tatiana even came to spend time in Spain to learn Spanish, she and Felipe were encouraged to spend time together. Nothing came of it, they were not compatiable, with the Spanish press chasing after her when she left Tatiana snapped at them 'I don't even LIKE your prince'.!!! Sofia invited various European noblewomen to Spain, again hoping that Felipe would be interested, he wasn't.

Marry a noble, or royal was the way to keep up support for the monarchy, not by marrying a commoner. The idea being if anyone can marry a royal, why have a royal family? During the Franco era, the 2 main contenders for the Spanish throne, Juan Carlos and the recently deceased Prince Carlos Hugo both made sure they married princesses from reigning houses. (And these princesses were not Spanish!) A TV newsreader would not help increase support for a monarchy and considering the criticism Letizia gets, her marrying Felipe has not done anything to increase the support.

To get back to Carl Philip, there's no point to all the righteous indignation to his Sofia. He may marry her, he may not, he could follow the example of his Great-uncle Bertil (whose name he carries) and just live together with his 'unsuitable' partner for 30 years. (Lilian was not just a commoner, but from a poor Welsh background, had been a model and was divorced) Like Bertil, Carl Philip stays a prince and has his love as well.

 

[nascarlucy]

To Blue Stocking: I wasn't refering to Emma. I was refering to Sofia, CP Carl's current girlfriend. As far as what has been said, there was nothing wrong with Emma. According to what I've read in various blogs, Emma and CP Carl went their separate paths.

 

[Karisma]

I agree with You

Oh I see, but I guess not many have seen them so does it matter? One think there being nude pics another thing them being everywhere for people to see.

tattoo was henna one!

As the moderator pointed out earlier may each member have an opinion here, and I agree with Yours, EmmieLou. Furthermore: here is no relation to comment until the Royal court declares that there is something to tell...

 

[donnaK]

Out of the 3 women Felipe had a long term relationship Letizia was actually the least suitable! Isabel his first serious girlfriend was the most suitable as she was from a noble family, but her parents were divorced and so that was considered a problem and so Felipe was pushed into ending that relationship. Eva had posed in Lingerie but otherwise was quite suitable, she was a student, which seems to be forgotten.

Eva had also been photographed topless on a public beach, had no college degree yet at the age of 26. If Sofia goes back to school now since she is the girlfriend of C-P like Eva, does it make her more suitable ?
Isabel's family had lots of troubles. Her stepfather was rumored to be associated with the South American crime and drug trafficking, not only for the simply reason that her parents were divorced. Felipe was too young to get married back then, she simply dated him at the wrong time.
Letizia was a well educated journalist, successful career woman. This alone gave her more points in Spain compared to a foreign underwear model.

A TV newsreader would not help increase support for a monarchy and considering the criticism Letizia gets, her marrying Felipe has not done anything to increase the support.

JC and Sofia have been very well respected in Spain, it's almost impossible to up the rating of the monarchy. At least Felipe's former frivolous image of dating models or actresses is gone now. Most Spaniards think he takes his role seriously. Many think he has also improved his communication skills to deal with the various sectors of society since the wedding, that's a plus for someone to be the King of Spain one day.

 

[Anne83]

Carl Philip had better get rid of her asap His reputation is being damaged for good Enough is enough

 

[Lorette]

DonnaK: Sofia's problem is not about topless pictures at a beach. It is about soft porn pictures in which she wears nothing but one hand between her spread legs and similar stuff. It is about her being proud to meet a (hard) porn queen. It is about her statements that she wants to be famous and will do all she can to become so. It is about one of these tv-shows where people degrade themselves to catch a bit of public attention. It is about the fact that foreign press calls her a porn model, they will continue doing so, because it sells.
People do sunbath topless nowadays and the press are always hanging around to catch somebody with the bikinitop off. So that would, in my eyes not make a person unaceptable.
What really counts is in my eyes: is the person fit to do his or her job within the royal house? Now Prince Daniel has choosen to be a personal trainer as his profession. He still is a personal trainer, although on a very high level! (and boy, is his wife in good shape!) He stated that he sees his work as being a support to the Crown Princess, which she really needs! His public appearances are not his choosing, but he manages them and manages to keep his dignity. He will make a loving and stable husband and a good father when hopefully children are given them. Viktoria choose well, because he will be of better use to her than a soon bored very high ranking gentlemen condemned to be prince consort, and he has a lovely family in the background
Sofia is not the kind of person I would choose to bring up my grandchildren in a decent, courtly fashion. She is not the kind of person I would assume is happy with living in the background as Viktoria and Daniel take more and more central stage. Who talks about the Kings sisters? The life of Carl Philip and Madeleine will be less interresting when the couple has kids, she will become Queen etc. In the long run I could immagine that life of a royal can be quite boring, even if it is within soft cushions. One has no real challenge and is always in the public eye if something goes wrong. I just wish he'd choose somebody more likely to be able to live the long end of this life with.
On the other hand it must be said that it is fair that he does not keep her in the closet, as many princes and kings would have done in the past - having a dutifull wife for the public and an adventurous woman in the background. That is a very swedish thing to do, and might help her to find a place in life, 'cause the time in which she can live as a nude model is quickly coming to an end, we all get older, don't we.

 

[Esmerelda]

Check what Expressen writes vs what Aftonbladet writes. Aftonbladet never writes any new info. Expressen delievers the most accurate news about the family.

Anyone seen the West wing? I get the feeling that Lindwall is like Danny Concannon and the leaks are actually coming from familymembers that want something said.

Well as you're from Sweden you'd know more about the relative accuracy of the papers. And they aren't always wrong: they got Madeleine's breakup right.

But I wonder who would do the leaks though, if that's what happened. Madeleine would hardly claim that she 'looked right through' Sofia if google translate is correct and I doubt it would be the King and Queen. They probably don't discuss this topic with a lot of people. Victoria? Daniel? The King's sisters..?

 

[donnaK]

DonnaK: Sofia's problem is not about topless pictures at a beach. It is about soft porn pictures in which she wears nothing but one hand between her spread legs and similar stuff. It is about her being proud to meet a (hard) porn queen. It is about her statements that she wants to be famous and will do all she can to become so. It is about one of these tv-shows where people degrade themselves to catch a bit of public attention. It is about the fact that foreign press calls her a porn model, they will continue doing so, because it sells.
People do sunbath topless nowadays and the press are always hanging around to catch somebody with the bikinitop off. So that would, in my eyes not make a person unaceptable.

But not when you are dating a crown prince, even a more liberal Danish queen didn't find her son's sunbathing topless girlfriends acceptable.
I agree it was not the same, one was hungry for fame, the other was pure stupidity. My point was that Sofia could also go back to school to brush up her resume now she is dating a prince, nothing new among the girlfriends or wives of the royals.

 

[Lumutqueen]

People do sunbath topless nowadays and the press are always hanging around to catch somebody with the bikinitop off.

Actually a lot of people do that.

 

[Lorette]

Do what? Hang around to catch somebody with her bikini-top off?

 

[Catharina]

I've thought about this for a while. Since I do not come from a similar background as the royals this is all speculation but this is how I imagine it might be.

The Swedish royal family is quite small and so is the nobility. Previously the royals have preferred to marry from other royal families or from other countries to prevent a situation where they would elevate one family above others or one subject above others (during modern times). Clearly this custom is not being followed anymore as we have seen. The King and Queen have wanted their children to be as normal and ordinary as possible while at the same time remembering they are not commoners and preferring their circle of friends to mainly consist of children of members of the nobility and wealthy families. They have of course allowed the children to have friends from other circles as well but the former have been preferred. I can understand that, although this has perhaps caused some problems when they have started to look for a spouse. I am not sure if the problems could have been prevented in any case considering their position.

Since the so-called 'upper class' (pardon my expression, I am well aware that Sweden is very much a country where class divisions do not exist and people are equal) is so small, the children have been in an awkward position not wanting to date their friends perhaps causing tensions in the circle of friends. They have perhaps noted during the years that some people in this 'upper class' (or some of their parents) also have aspirations to 'elevate their status' by marrying a royal or perhaps they have gotten bored with the whole lifestyle their friends live. This has maybe made them think that commoners are much more sincere and a better choice altogether. The problem is that they probably have a bit of a romanticized idea about the life of a commoner. Of course the Swedish royal family is much closer to the ordinary life than say the British, but they are still royals and live very differently from ordinary people. After all the publicity, galas etc. the life of a commoner might seem very interesting and relaxing to a royal. Their houses, every day life, the way they act and views on life might seem very refreshing and new. It is true, one might find a true gem from the most unexpected place (as happened to Victoria) but unfortunately I feel the royals might also be a bit too gullible sometimes not always noticing when there's a commoner who seems sincere but is trying to 'elevate his/her status' by bagging a royal.

Maybe Carl Philip is tired of being nice and wants to be bad boy for a while... I do hope he doesn't mistake Sofia for something she is not and make a mistake by marrying her. Of course you must choose the one you love but at the same time have the sense to evaluate whether it is the wise choice to be made.

 

[LadyFinn]

Carl Philip and Sofia were at the nightclub Rose at the weekend with their friends. Before going to the nightclub they had been celebrating the 25th birthday of one of Sofia´s best friends.
Sofia och Carl Philip festade på nattklubb - Nyheter - Senaste nytt | Expressen
Google Translate

 

[Marika86]

Nu syns prins Carl Philip och Sofia Hellqvist allt mer ute tillsammans | Svensk Damtidning
Google Traduttore

 

[mattep74]

Not wery discrete. Victoria and Daniel werent seen half as much as them three years into their relationship

 

[MissP]

She looks very plain in these pictures - minimal make-up, hair tied back. She's obviously trying to look more sophisticated and grown up. Not sure it works at a nightclub though......

Slightly off topic, I have to give special mention to Google translate for "This six ice on fire" Magic.

 

[Rascal]

Nu syns prins Carl Philip och Sofia Hellqvist allt mer ute tillsammans | Svensk Damtidning
Google Traduttore

She looks very plain in these pictures - minimal make-up, hair tied back. She's obviously trying to look more sophisticated and grown up. Not sure it works at a nightclub though......

Slightly off topic, I have to give special mention to Google translate for "This six ice on fire" Magic.

This link provided by Marika86 and the response by MissP completely illustrates my point about this young woman. In previous pictures (even ones after the news about her and CP was leaked <by her, BTW>, Sofia styled her hair and makeup very similar to the ones where she posed for the men's magazine. And she sometimes even presented herself with even more "glamorous" makeup and hair. At this event, since she is trying to rehabilitate her reputation, she is wearing minimal makeup, has simple hair, and a more conservative gown. She is WWWWAAAAAAYYYYYY more attractive here and much sexier. IMO nothing is less sexy than someone trying (usually too hard) to look or be sexy. In these photos, I am actually more drawn to her eyes than in others because of all the trashy makeup and I hardly notice her snaggle teeth, whereas in the other photos she has worked so hard to be done up and put together, her teeth being in such a state sticks out like a sore thumb. Here they make her look natural and cute.

Maybe she and CP both buy into the media/society misrepresentation that men only want stripper/hooker/porn starlets with big boobs. If she wasn't of such questionable character and she has matured since posing for the pictures, why is this event the first time she DOESN't look like those photos?

 

[nascarlucy]

Regular folks like me probably have a very unrealistic view of what it would be like to be a royal or to be a girlfriend/wife of a royal. It's a different world just as my world is to them. Can't totally comprehend it.

I love the pictures of the beautiful dressed and gowns that the female royals wear. They are used to wearing beautiful and well made clothing. In my lifetime I've only had three gowns (they were sewn by hand). This was so exciting to me. For someone who wears and purchases this type of clothing all the time, it probably no different than me going to JC Penny or Macy for purchasing clothing.

Perhaps it is the commoner's freedom that attacts royals to them. I can go out in my nightgown and get my newspaper in peace. No photographers jump out and try to get a picture of me nor am I bombarded with questions from the press.

I can go to the store, can go to a concert or go to a restaurant and not worry about being pestered or bothered by photographers, the press or others who just wants to be with me because I'm royal. I also don't worry about being in a park and a photographer sneaking up on me and taking a picture or hiding out somewhere to take my picture. Or coming unto my property and trying to take pictures. Or attempting to do so. For someone like me, this probably would be flattering at first but then it would get very very old rather quickly.