A Swedish Royal Christmas (Traditions, Christmas Cards, Photo Sessions)

[LadyFinn]

Victoria has been patron of the Swedish Women's Voluntary Defence Organisation since 2005. This evening she attended at the Stockholm Women's Voluntary Air Defence Organisation's Christmas vespers at the Royal Chapel. The organisation celebrates its 70th anniversary. Photos Fredrik Sandberg.
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From court Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/BN7Y-6Zh...-by=kungahuset

Bildextra! Sju bilder från Victorias kväll på slottet _ Svensk Damtidning
Kronprinsessan vid jubileumsvesper i Slottskyrkan - Sveriges Kungahus
ROYAL: Kronprinzessin Victoria zur Weihnachtsvesper der Swedish Women's Voluntary Defence Organization der Luftwaffe

[LadyFinn]

Victoria and Estelle received the Christmas trees from the students at the program of forestry at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BN_nXpLhcWa/

Court website
https://www.kungahuset.se/kungafamil...540a4d41c.html

HQ photos here
https://www.kungahuset.se/press/pres...magesOnly=true

A total of seven Christmas trees were brought to the Palace. The one to the king and queen was four and a half meters high. Then the royal children (Victoria, Carl Philip and Madeleine) got two firs each, a tree for the family and one for the children. To Alexander they had chosen a Norway red spruce (rödgran), unlike the others, which were King fir Christmas trees.
- Estelle took me on my hand, it was so cute, and then we talked a little about our firs. We got to show Estelle how one could see the difference between a king fir and red spruce, but she actually had a good view on it, especially on red spruce, says forester student Hanna Kankainen to Svensk Damtidning.

Still another gallery without watermarks, Victoria at Stockholm Women's Voluntary Air Defence Organisation's Christmas vespers (and some photos of the meeting with president Santos).
Victoria de Suède range ses robes du soir pour son uniforme de Lotta

One more photo of Victoria and Estelle receiving the Christmas Trees, from the Facebook of SkogsSverige på Internet.
https://scontent-arn2-1.xx.fbcdn.net...2a&oe=58B6932E

SkogsSverige (Forest Sweden) is a common portal for the whole of the forest, pulp and paper industry on the Internet.

Also Skogis Granar has put the photo to their Instagram. It is the Instagram of program of forestry at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BODYbFvg...y=skogisgranar

"The 14th of December, I, Philip Öhrman got the honor to submit this year's Christmas trees from program of forestry 14/19 to Crown Princess Victoria and Princess Estelle at the Palace in Stockholm. It was an amazing moment where Princess Estelle proved to have good knowledge of how the red spruce and The King fir differ. The Crown Princess even noticed my wooden bowtie, whích we three guys wore"
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOCE-CaB...aken-at=649028

[Marty91charmed]

So cute! I wish Victoria would have brought Oscar along, but he is still too young!

[Countessmeout]

Both mom and daughter look festive and enjoying themselves. In a year or two we will see Oscar with them

[Muhler]

Thanks, LadyFinn.

I'm surprised that Sweden of all places still have a gender-divided territorial force.

[Countessmeout]

You know aim as modern a woman as they come, but I like traditions. I like that a group like this still exists many western modernized countries still have womens groups.

[Muhler]

Oh yes, traditions are fine. But WAC (Women Auxiliary Corps) units are basically a waste of money. (*) And I'm merely surprised that Sweden, in the name of gender equality, haven't abolished such units, or more likely amalgamated them into mixed-gender units. Not least in the light of the heavy cut-backs on Swedish military spending in recent years, which BTW has led to a personnel-gap in the armed forces.

(*) WAC's are usually or at least very often armed with inferior weapons, putting them at a serious disadvantage in armed conflicts. Rather then being issued standard weapons and incorporated into a mixed unit and as such also receiving superior training.
In DK the last WAC units were amalgamated into mixed units in the 90's. It was finally at long last realized that being issued with (antiquated) submachine guns(!) and little field training, all they could do was to make a lot of noise until they were overwhelmed and killed or captured.
And lo and behold the number of women volunteers have gone up markedly (abut 20%) since then and women have proved themselves perfectly capable of functioning on equal footing with their male colleagues - and now at least they can and do fight back.

Sorry, if I'm going nerd here.

[Kingen]

Well Svenska Lottakåren is a non-profit NGO, and not a division within the Swedish Armed Forces, so if it should be abolished it has to be on their own initiative.

But I could understand that it seems not to be any use of them, as those who want could get inot the Armed Forces today.

[Muhler]

I see, thanks.

Then who are they and what do they do?
I thought they were attached to the Home Guard.

[LadyFinn]

Originally Posted by Muhler

I see, thanks.

Then who are they and what do they do?
I thought they were attached to the Home Guard.

More information here
Swedish
Lottakåren

English
Lottakåren About _ English _ Start _

[Muhler]

Thanks, LadyFinn.

So they do have a military support function - and issued submachine guns...
Just like most other WACs.

While I understand the other more or less civilian functions of the corps, I'll maintain that from a military perspective, and certainly a combat perspective, the Corps need not remain a separate unit. On the contrary, it will IMO be of much more use amalgamated into ordinary units.
And for the rest to remain a purely civilian auxiliary organization.

[LadyFinn]

Christmas Greeting from the Crown princess family, filmed at Tyresta National Park.
En julhälsning från Kronprinsessfamiljen - Sveriges Kungahus

HQ photo here
https://www.kungahuset.se/press/pres...magesOnly=true

Great video once again, looks very cozy.

Short version at court Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOMPIa5B...-by=kungahuset

Court Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vLxWKW9yss

Photos from the video, from Svensk Damtidning
Bildspel! Bästa bilderna från kronprinsessfamiljens fina julhälsning _ Svensk Damtidning

Svensk Damtidning called to Margareta Thorgren at the court and asked about that the Christmas greeting is not so traditional this time.
This year's Christmas photo is a little different, a little less traditional, why you have chosen to do so?
- One tries to vary year after year, we have seen many pictures over the years, and this time, they have chosen to be outdoors. The whole family is very nature oriented and purpose behind the photo is to show what a fantastic nature we have here in Sweden. Nature is something that everyone can use, it's just to put on clothes and go out. It is something you may take for granted.
How involved the Crown Princess couple is for this kind of image?
- It is the Crown Princess Couple's photo and movie and they are very involved.
The photo was taken in Tyresta National Park, does the place mean something special for the family?
- It is a place that we chose because is very nice and lovely. Being out there and move, is something the Crown princess family often does.
But there was no Christmas baking or Christmas tree dressing this year. Instead, the outdoor theme. Has this something to do with the organization Generation Pep?
- It is clear that Generation Pep, it's there. It is a large project that has been started ... But this is the third Christmas photo and film, with variations, which we send out, and this year the theme is nature. Nature is for everyone. Merry Christmas!
Victorias och Daniels oväntade julval – därför bryter de traditionen _ Svensk Damtidning

And reporter Johanna Lejon writes at another article, that there is a hidden message at the video. A very important message.
The hidden message is that one should move, go out, find an activity. Together.
The message goes hand in hand with the project Generation Pep (GEN-PEP) with which the Crown Princess and Prince Daniel have worked this year. A project that is incredibly close to their hearts and which they hope will continue for many, many years to come.
Dolda budskapet i kronprinsessparets nya film _ Svensk Damtidning

Prinsessan Estelle och prins Oscar önskar god jul _ Kungligt _ Expressen
Här önskar prinsessan Estelle och prins Oscar en god jul _ Aftonbladet

There will be a traditional Christmas - with the whole family gathered in Sweden - for the Swedish royal family.
- Everyone is at home in Sweden and celebrate, says director of the press department, Margareta Thorgren.
How will they celebrate?
- They will celebrate Christmas and be together. Christmas starts after all this week and the actual celebration starts already on December 23 when it is the Queen's birthday. Then the family gathers together. The court doesn't comment on how the Christmas Eve is celebrated.
But it will be a celebration for two days, at least. Queen Silvia fills 73 years on Friday, December 23. It is a national flag day and the queen is courted not only by the family - but also of the Swedish people.
- As always, when someone in the family has birthdays, we celebrate from the court that on the website. The public can also send congratulations, says Thorgren.
Expressen met Crown Princess Victoria for hers and Prince Daniel's visit to Italy. Then she told with pleasure if plans for the holiday season.
- We will celebrate with the whole family. But Mom fills the years as well, so we're having a birthday celebration with her too, says Crown Princess Victoria and adds:
- Merry Christmas!
Så firar Victoria sin jul ihop med familjen _Expressen

[Countessmeout]

I love this little family. I love we don't simply get a posed Christmas card, but a little video into their life. Last year it was baking. I love the little hike fir the nature and exercise loving family, and fire

[Baron Brockdorf]

It would be nice if they did one with all the cousins next year it'll be good to see different faces in motion every now and then

[Countessmeout]

Its not a message from the royal family, but from the couple. It's not like you expect Felipe to include his nieces and nephews in the Spanish card. I am sure Madeleine will share some Christmas photos of her kids at least. Alexander is a bit young to be ,uvh active in a video, but perhaps his parents will share something.

[Baron Brockdorf]

Originally Posted by Countessmeout

Its not a message from the royal family, but from the couple. It's not like you expect Felipe to include his nieces and nephews in the Spanish card. I am sure Madeleine will share some Christmas photos of her kids at least. Alexander is a bit young to be ,uvh active in a video, but perhaps his parents will share something.

i didnt mean instead of this one i just meant it would be nice if from next year they make a video of all the cousins together, oscar and alexander would be walking/crawling by then

[moby]

I love the Christmas video by the woods--simple and homey. I am shocked there is no (misplaced and over the top) outrage over carrying a baby facing front? LOL

[LadyFinn]

TV4 News about the video
Nyheterna på TV4 Play - Nyheter när du vill

Victoria & Daniel von Schweden_ Wunderschöner Weihnachtsgruß! Im Wald mit Oscar und Estelle _ BUNTE.de
Prinzessin Victoria + Prinz Daniel_ Süße Videobotschaft mit Estelle und Oscar _ GALA.de

Royals record their perhaps most Swedish Christmas video to date - The Local

According to gossip blog Hänt queen Silvia was today shopping Christmas presents at NK department store. She arrived with two bodyguards shortly after nine o'clock, about an hour before the store was opened.
The queen was immediately escorted to the toy department on the 4th floor and started doing her Christmas shopping for her grandchildren.
- The queen was here and seemed very happy, says a shop assistants at the toy department.
When the store opened at ten o'clock the Queen had already completed her purchases and left the store.
Drottning Silvia shoppar julklappar åt barnbarnen _ Hänt.se

Svensk Damtidning writes that according their information Victoria, Daniel and the children are celebrating Christmas with the Westlings and Daniel's sister and her family. Estelle and Oscar have time to be with their cousins Hedvig and Vera. SD has tried to get contact to Margareta Thorgren for a comment.
Madeleine and family spend Christmas this year in Sweden, last year they were with Chris's family.
Svensk Damtidning avslöjar_ Estelle firar jul med farmor Ewa _ Svensk Damtidning

Sofia and Carl Philip should have attended this evening at the Christmas concert "Jul i Gamla Stan" at Stockholm Cathedral, after the concert is collected money for Project Playground.
Sofia arrived to the concert alone. Her sisters Sara and Lina are also there and sat with Sofia. Margareta Thorgren told to Expressen, that Carl Philip stayed at home with Alexander, who has fever.
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[Fanvanmaxima]

Is there going to be a endyear documentary of the Swedish royal family?

[polyesco]

what a lovely video of Victoria and Daniel and family.
a nice walk and campfire in the woods