"Carl XVI Gustaf - The Reluctant Monarch" by Thomas Sjöberg (2010)

[bartholomeus]

Originally Posted by HRHofNothing

You are obviously quite delusional if you think that the King is going to kill himself over this (let alone kill himself in the that gruesome fashion).

Victoria has just married her gym teacher and is in no way ready to take over the throne, so I think you will be waiting for a while.

The narratives in the book are not a direct reason to abdicate. But if this book becomes a sort of Pandora's box or appears to be a tip of the iceberg, especially with regard to connections to mafia and embarrassing cover-ups, this affair might become a political one and subsequently a constitutional crisis. If so, abdication might be the only way to save the Swedish monarchy.

In the Netherlands we had the Lockheed affair; HRH Prince Bernhard accepted bribes from American airplane builders. There were strong voices in society and in parliament demanding the abdication of Queen Juliana because of her husband’s illegal actions. (Prince Bernhard had many affairs and probably also mixed with dubious people, but only his ILLEGAL actions: the taking of bribes, were the reason for the constitutional crisis, not his extramarital affairs, wild parties and children born out of wedlock)

The King will not abdicate because of the accusations of immoral behaviour, but if it becomes a political reality that the King has instigated illegal actions or bears responsibility for them, his position becomes very uncertain.

[grevinnan]

There is no constitutional crisis, no maffia connection and there will be no abdication. Sweden has already moved on. There is a lot more attention to this book on this board then in all swedish newspapers combined.

[HRHofNothing]

Originally Posted by bartholomeus

The narratives in the book are not a direct reason to abdicate. But if this book becomes a sort of Pandora's box or appears to be a tip of the iceberg, especially with regard to connections to mafia and embarrassing cover-ups, this affair might become a political one and subsequently a constitutional crisis. If so, abdication might be the only way to save the Swedish monarchy.

In the Netherlands we had the Lockheed affair; HRH Prince Bernhard accepted bribes from American airplane builders. There were strong voices in society and in parliament demanding the abdication of Queen Juliana because of her husband’s illegal actions. (Prince Bernhard had many affairs and probably also mixed with dubious people, but only his ILLEGAL actions: the taking of bribes, were the reason for the constitutional crisis, not his extramarital affairs, wild parties and children born out of wedlock)

The King will not abdicate because of the accusations of immoral behaviour, but if it becomes a political reality that the King has instigated illegal actions or bears responsibility for them, his position becomes very uncertain.

There is a HUGE difference between the King abdicating over dubious possibly illegal activities and the King committing suicide over this as advocated by the person I quoted

[bartholomeus]

Originally Posted by HRHofNothing

There is a HUGE difference between the King abdicating over dubious possibly illegal activities and the King committing suicide over this as advocated by the person I quoted

agree, I was responding to the last part of your reply

[Frenchy]

I can't believe some people think this doesn't matter, or that it should be brushed under the carpet. No point blaming the women, secret service or anyone else either. The King is well able to take care of himself and knew full well what he was doing.

Originally Posted by Kataryn

Only the publicity is very embarrassing for the poor queen -and should not have happened, when you ask me.

Why? I feel sorry for the Queen too but it is a bit much to start saying that it shouldn't have been reported. Remember this is the King who it is claimed thought that Daniel was not good enough for Victoria. If these rumours are true then it really isn't the King's place to offer anyone advice about what's good enough. It's like people believe that because he is Royal that he can get away with it. If Daniel did this we would never hear the end of it, especially about how he wasn't good enough for Victoria initially anyway.

Originally Posted by HRHofNothing

This book is being blown out of proportion.

Men cheat for a variety of reasons, but eventually all of them do. Sylvia appears to be ok with the King's extra-martial activities. That's all that matters.

Remember Madeline knew of Jonas's infidelity and still agreed to marry him. She only broke off the engagement when it became a media spectacle.

I am sure Victoria will discreetly look the other way when (and I firmly believe that its a matter of WHEN rather than IF) Daniel strays.

Its seems that the women are ok with their s/o's indiscretions until they become a public spectacle. I think it would be advisable for the public to leave it alone and let it be.

You have a very sad view of love and marriage if you believe it is all just a matter of when a man will cheat. Sexist too as women can be just as bad. I do agree with you though that if the Queen was ok with it then so be it. I don't agree with you that the public should leave it alone. The King is a public figure, and represents Sweden around the world. I think visiting brothels and the like are of interest to the people he represents. It's a bit much to start claiming that it is of no one's interest.

[Esmerelda]

Kungen skämtar om skandalboken | Svensk Damtidning
The King said he's 'read the book carefully' but made no further comment.

[nascarlucy]

Did anyone ever think of how these stories would affect the King's family before they wrote the book. His wife? his children? Other family members? They are the ones that will be hurt by this the most. As I stated in other blogs, they probably knew bits and pieces about some of these things. If all of these things are true, then they have the full story. Most people would probably not want to know these things about their parents.

[Eve2Eden]

Originally Posted by nascarlucy

Did anyone ever think of how these stories would affect the King's family before they wrote the book. His wife? his children? Other family members? They are the ones that will be hurt by this the most. As I stated in other blogs, they probably knew bits and pieces about some of these things. If all of these things are true, then they have the full story. Most people would probably not want to know these things about their parents.

Well, the argument can be made that the King should have thought about how it would affect his family before he DID the things written about in the book (if he did).

[Maura724]

Yes - if the King didn't do any of it, then I think most of us would agree that the book shouldn't have been written. Then it's just a bunch of lies. But if it's true, then the writers and publishers aren't the guilty ones here. They aren't the ones who hurt the family - that was the King himself.

[Katrianna]

Originally Posted by nascarlucy

Did anyone ever think of how these stories would affect the King's family before they wrote the book. His wife? his children? Other family members? They are the ones that will be hurt by this the most. As I stated in other blogs, they probably knew bits and pieces about some of these things. If all of these things are true, then they have the full story. Most people would probably not want to know these things about their parents.

The author didn't think about the family or the book's effect on them because he didn't care as it all comes down to MONEY. The public loves scandal, true or not, and will pay to lap it up and that means MONEY.

[maria-olivia]

Royal smiles are professional actors smiles .. they have happy and sad days like everybody.
The french magazine Point de Vue of last week found a non-smiling picture of the King and the Queen for their front page and inside really nothing interesting .

[Bine221]

Originally Posted by nascarlucy

Did anyone ever think of how these stories would affect the King's family before they wrote the book. His wife? his children? Other family members? They are the ones that will be hurt by this the most. As I stated in other blogs, they probably knew bits and pieces about some of these things. If all of these things are true, then they have the full story. Most people would probably not want to know these things about their parents.

The author of the book was in German TV the day before yesterday. And exactly this question has been asked: While writing the book, didn´t you think about Queen Silvia and how much this would hurt her.... didn´t you think about NOT making it official, what you found out?
Guess, what his answer was? No. I felt sad for Queen Silvia, but in the end I am a journalist and it is important for my job to tell the truth. All those details only were known to a very small group of people and I wanted to tell everybody.

Well, he reached his goal, I would say..... now everybody knows

BYe Bine

[Duke of Marmalade]

In general I think that people have the right to know what kind of people are representing them. Apart from the cheating what I would consider private the King seems to be involved in dubious circles that do favours to each other what is not correct and is rightly being addressed publicly.

And regarding Queen Silvia - I dont doubt a second that she didnt know the full extent from day one. She will have put up with the King straying etc, I dont think anything in the book came as a surprise to her.

Together with Queen Sofia, Silvia is and has always been one of the "Best Actress" Oscar-winning Queens around.

[nascarlucy]

People who do security for royals or for other VIP's protect that person's interest. They don't protect them against themselves. Perhaps in some cases they should, but they don't. They protect them against those who would harm them or threaten them.

I would imagine that there are cases were the security people don't agree with what they are doing, but unless it's a imminent threat to the person's life or a threat to national security, no security person is going to go to the wife, family, PM or parliment and tell them what's going on. If they did, they might as well kiss their career goodbye and everyone would close rank and they would be left defending themselves.

I think many of the individuals involved in these activities probably figured their stories would never appear in print or in a book. In a different time and era that would be true but isn't true anymore.

[lilnana]

I have yet to read the whole thread, but I'm shocked and amused by the large contrast between the reaction between Joanes cheating on Madeleine (while dating) and the king cheating on the queen (while married). It just reeks of a double standard, a boyfriend cheats on princess, the worst thing in the world! But a king cheating? As long as he forgives him not a big deal. And the idea that just because past kings have done it makes it ok to still continue the practice is just beyond stupid. I can understand a married women with children willing to forgive the husband, but that doesn't give the husband a pass.

[UserDane]

Well said Lilnana! I haven't commented on this book before, but like you I find the difference in the general reactions to the two cheating men rather strange.

[Her_Majesty]

Camilla Henemark will be interviewed in the German talk show "Lanz" (ZDF) tonight: PPE Agency

[Zonk]

Originally Posted by lilnana

I have yet to read the whole thread, but I'm shocked and amused by the large contrast between the reaction between Joanes cheating on Madeleine (while dating) and the king cheating on the queen (while married). It just reeks of a double standard, a boyfriend cheats on princess, the worst thing in the world! But a king cheating? As long as he forgives him not a big deal. And the idea that just because past kings have done it makes it ok to still continue the practice is just beyond stupid. I can understand a married women with children willing to forgive the husband, but that doesn't give the husband a pass.

This is a very good point, Lilana.

For the record, I don't forgive the King for cheating that is up to the Queen and the people of Sweden. If Madeline had choosen to say with a cheating Jonas (an alleged cheater since no proof has ever been provided) that too, would have been her choice as well. Who am I to tell someone what is and is not acceptable in their relationship? And this train of thought is applicable to friends, families, strangers and royals.

My point for the wronged spouse/significant other of a cheating spouse....if he/she did it once he might do it again...and now you know what you have...you can't say no one ever told you....he/she told you by their actions.

My disgust was the author who feels the need to share details of the Kings marriage and/or affairs. I believe that is a private affair (as it was for Tiger Woods, Sandra Bullock, etc.).

I also don't care for people who have affairs with married people (espeically if you know he is married) and than try to profit off of it. Yes, he is married and he made the vows but why participate in such a lie? What does that say about the both of you? Sleeping with a married person is just a step below of a married person sleeping with someone other than their spouse.

But that is just my personal opinion.

[nascarlucy]

Who is Camilla Henemark?

[Esmerelda]

Originally Posted by nascarlucy

Who is Camilla Henemark?

The woman the King had an affair with, allegedly.