Interviews with Members of the Royal Family


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Lyle said:
So is the king offended that people just say "du" sometimes instead of calling him king? Maybe he thinks that people are kind of disrespectful to call him "du"?
Click to expand...
I think so
 
Interview with Crown Princess Victoria in Brazil!

Translated by me from the weekly magazine Svensk Damtidning.

Svensk Damtidning’s reporter Jenny Alexandersson has followed Victoria during the visit to Brazil. Here she gets an exclusive chat with her. Victoria takes a seat in the sofa and stretches out her tanned legs. “There hasn’t been time to sunbathe yet, but I think the time will come”. Victoria feels that her legs are pale, but they really aren’t! If one has some Brazilian genes in the body, one probably never do get really winter pale.

What does Brazil mean for the Crown Princess?
- It means a lot of course. My grandmother came from here and of course there are strong feelings when it comes to Brazil and its people and culture. They are a happy and liveable people who are closely attached to singing and dancing.

Has the Crown Princess inherited any of this through mother and grandmother?
- Yes, I hope so. Something must’ve rubbed off! I’m proud of having many different nationalities in me.

Does the Crown Princess speak Portuguese?
- No, unfortunately I don’t. I know Brazilian children’s songs, but one doesn’t’ get very far with them here. I actually tried to sing some children’s song at the Abrigo that we visited, and there were three wide-eyed children who listened, but they looked very questioning. I don’t think that went home anywhere, haha!

Did the Queen sing for you siblings when you were little?
- Yes, mother sang a lot. Especially Brazilian lullabies on Portuguese, and grandmother did as well. But when we spoke to grandmother we always spoke in German.

The Crown Princess will stay a few days more in Brazil. What will you do then?
- I will meet up with my mother so that we get to spend time with each other and meet the relatives a bit. Among things, we’re going to meet mother’s 94-year-old aunt and many many others, Victoria says with a laugh.

Do you have close contact with the Brazilian relatives?
- Yes, but that’s through mother. It means a lot to her, having contact with her relatives.

And your father turns 60 soon! Does the Crown Princess think she has inherited anything from dad as well?
- Yes, dad turns 60, that will be really nice! I think I have more of him in me. Most people usually point out that I’m very like my father in my way of being, and that we have the same sense of humour. But I think I’m a pretty good mix between my parents really.

What role does the Crown Princess have in the family?
- I think I’m the typical big sister, in good and bad. Especially when I was younger and mother and father were away a lot, I think I was a pretty strict big sister, and a pretty hard one too.

In which way?
- I think I was a bit of the “little mother”, but my siblings have said that “you weren’t that bad”. But I think they thought I was pretty heavy, haha!

Does the Crown Princess think anything about the future and how your role will be then?
- I often think of the great responsibility and heritage that comes with the role. But I look at the situation I am in today with joy, that one has a possibility to help so many and be there and do something for Sweden. It’s a great honour to be able to represent Sweden.

Is it difficult to find a balance between work, family and friends?
- I think that many are experiencing a difficulty in finding a balance. On the other hand, our whole family knows what it means, we are in similar situations all of us. We have many things that we can ask each other for advice about. It’s an advantage and a safety for me in order to learn from mother and father’s experiences.

Are there other relatives or royal colleagues that are close to the Crown Princess?
- Yes, we have a good relationship to the Royal Families around, and therefore it’s important that we meet. It never happens as often as one wishes, but when we do see each other we take the opportunity in asking each other for advice. But via the phone is fine too.

Elisabeth Tarras-Wahlberg ends the interview, it’s time for Victoria to step onboard the boat that will take her out on the sea to wave goodbye to her “godboat” Ericsson. Victoria chitchats about the trip tips us about egg white as a cooling method for burnt skin if one has been too long in the sun.
- My grandmother tipped me about that, the egg white pulls the evil out of the body in some way, and it’s an old reliable method.

Considerately she warns us about lying down on the beach when it’s cloudy.
- Mother has said that it’s more dangerous then because there are more particles in the air that reflect the air. It’s hard, but one learns from experience! She says with laughter, aiming at her burnt reddish arms.


Victoria quotes from the long article accompanying the pictures (of which I think most of them have been posted) in the magazine:

- I have contact with my relatives via mother. They don’t visit in Sweden very often, it’s a long trip, but they usually come home to us when there are big birthdays.

- Mother has cheese buns in the freezer at home, they are “holy” and no one touches them. They can lie there a long time, and then suddenly it’s been three months since the best-before date passed. I’ll have to get my own cheese buns to take home with me!
 
Another 60th birthday interview with the King...

This interview was translated by me from its original Swedish version. It was performed by TT (news agency) and published by newspapers around the country. I have translated it from the newspaper Stockholm City.

ttintevjuapril20060mw.jpg

Picture by TT

King Carl Gustaf – 60 years in time

STOCKHOLM. King Carl XVI Gustaf soon turns 60 years old. Before the birthday he met TT (news agency) at the Royal Palace of Stockholm.

Soon to be 60 years, King Carl Gustaf contemplates on his family history, leadership and philosophical issues – at the same time as he represents Sweden, tries to help Crown Princess Victoria in her education to become Queen, and plans to breed beef cattle.

TT has met an active and relaxed King before his birthday.

- I remember so well when the Crown Princess turned 27, and I told her a little jokingly that “You should know that in your age I succeeded my grandfather”.

- She was quite terrified. She probably didn’t feel mature for that – which one perhaps never does.

The King laughs a little and changes his position in the green silk sofa in his audience room. It is a late afternoon at the Royal Palace of Stockholm and the time runs quickly. We talk about the brain’s development, the King’s upbringing, about the reflective calm in skiing and about leadership. Just in time for his birthday, the King is starting the foundation Young Leadership, on the initiative of The Swedish Scout and Guide Council, a fundraising to benefit young people’s education in leadership.

- We have to support those who work voluntarily with moral and ethics among young people, the King says.

- It is the wrong type of youth leader who are seen. Those who are in the media the most become the new leaders. There are other values that should be held forward.

Back to the little boy who’s father died before he turned one and who grew up with four older sisters and a not completely present mother. The King thinks that his upbringing, without close male role models, has affected his own role as a father.

- I can’t give examples, but one tries to meet the children in the way one wants to be met.

Already in his younger years, the environmentally interested King said he wanted to become a farmer. He is hoping to actualise a part of that dream now at the estate Stenhammar, in cooperation with The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. The King is planning for organic breeding of beef cattle at the same time as he wants to focus on landscape care.

- It’s a long journey to create a better Swedish meet breed. Maybe I’m starting late, but one has to have the sight forward.

In the future also lies the prospect of having grandchildren. The King feels that turning 60 is a good milestone, a “reflecting moment”. When he was a child, the sisters awaked him with singing and cake in the morning – a tradition that his family has taken over.

- And the dogs as well, that belongs to the picture. They have nice bows around their necks on the birthday.

What does the King wish for?
- Nice weather. There will be many events outdoors; with good weather it will be nicer for all parts.

Quick Questions:

…. When does he have the most fun:
- I think it’s fun with innovation. When I see that there are new Swedish innovations that can have a chance to make it out on the world market, I think it’s incredibly exciting. (But it’s also fun to drive a car and listen to music, he avows.)

… How does he fetch energy:
- I go out into the forest and walk, readily with the dogs. Maybe it sounds ridiculous, but when one walks, skies or is out hunting, one gets to be alone for a longer period and sit and think about a lot of things.

… If he has ever wished himself out of his position:
- One would lie if one said there has never been times when one has wished to be in another situation. I guess that’s valid for all people in life.

… A nice nature experience:
- I was twelve, thirteen years old and me and my sister Christina was in Storlien. One night there was a full moon and northern lights (aurora borealis). We had a companion who said that we had to go out and watch the incredible night. For us it was in the middle of the nights and we went out on skies to the mountain, skied towards the full moon and the northern lights behind us – it was a fantastic nature experience.

… What he would have chosen if he had specialised in any subject:
- I have to stick with ecology, nature issues, environment and agriculture – I’ve said it since the age of 18 and it still sticks.

… What extinguishes a good leader?
- One should be well read, be able to understand other people are really good at and support them in that. Then one should be a good listener, be able to receive critique as well as being rewarding and showing appreciation.

… If he has phrased any life philosophy?
- I really haven’t besides my motto. For Sweden – With the Times. That is a form of life philosophy or way of living.

… The popular support that met him after the speech he held subsequent to the tsunami?
- It feels very good that I was able to bring out the line of thoughts and could put across what many were missing at that time. One of the main tasks as a king is to support and unite the Swedish people in difficult situations.

… The monarchy’s role in the future?
- I feel that there is a great need of a monarchy in Sweden and in many other countries in Europe that have a monarchy. If one looks at those countries, they have always been stabile democracies all at the same time.

… Is he happy?
- Yes, I think so. I feel great.

… The relationship to the media:
- It has become tougher with the years. Sometimes it is very intrusive, it is for the whole family. One goes up and down like a yoyo all the time.

… What he would do if he were a minister for environment in a world government:
- The greenhouse effect is a difficult and important area. To additionally increase the confidence for the Kyoto protocol is also an important issue. If we can change this, a row of important issues such as energy and transport follows, and in the long run it will lead to a positive development.

… Future plans for the Vasaloppet ski race:
- Pew, we’ll see.
 
Thanks GrandDuchess for the two latest interviews with the King & Crownprincess, even though it is roughly the same questions and answers we have read in many other interviews as well.
 
The most interesting parts of that interview with the king to me weren't included in your version, Grandduchess. It was the parts about the history of the royal house. Carl XVI Gustaf was four years old when his great grandfather Gustav V died. The present king remembers the 90ish king as having little waxed moustaches, which... stinged? (Kan någon komma på ett bättre ord för "stickas" på engelska, när det handlar om vaxade mustacher?) Well, the little great grandson didn't think they were very comfortable to feel, at least. hmmm... And the king also proved himself to be knowledgable about his family's history. "I can say, that I sat in the lap of somebody, who himself sat in the lap of queen Desirée, who had been Napoleon's first fiancée in the late 18th century." Carl XVI Gustaf's great grandfather Gustav V was sure born before HIS great grandmother Desirée died, and she had actually been engaged to Napoleon Bonaparte.
 
Furienna said:
The most interesting parts of that interview with the king to me weren't included in your version, Grandduchess.
Click to expand...
I haven't excluded anything, this part of the TT interview wasn't in the newspaper were I read it. I've found another version online now, and I see that this passage that you mentioned is included there.
 
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Princess Madeleine gave an interviewed by the student newspaper Gaudeamus. She talks about her time at the university and how she felt about the exams, teachers and fellow students

http://www.sus.su.se/gaudeamus/tidigare/Gad0306/madde.pdf

If someone with better english than me could translate (GrandDuchess?) it would be much appreciated .)
 
Yes you are right, those are some of the official photographs from the Royal Court.
 
The basics from the interview: http://www.sus.su.se/gaudeamus/tidigare/Gad0306/madde.pdf

- I liked Stockholm university very much. It has a nice atmosphere and the quality of the courses are good.

- All subjects I´ve studied gave me something. But the one that I focused on, Art science, was particularly interesting.

- The hardest must have been the exams that demended alot of studying to remember everything.

- To prepare for an exam I mostly sat at home reading. My study technique was basicly to shut myself into a room a week before.

- Luckily I passed all of my exams

- I felt just like any other student and I did get some new acquaintances among my fellow students

- The reason why I chosed to write a paper about Solliden was that we were recomended to write about things close to our heart. Solliden means alot to me and my family.

- Ofcourse I had a favorite teacher but I´ll keep that for myself.

- My dream for the future is to become a good ambassador for Sweden
 
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Wow thanks so much GrandDuchess for the translations of the interviews. I think it helped me gain a little more information and perspective on the swedish royal family. What a close knit family .
 
Can somebody please tell me if those annual little birthday interview with Crown Princess Victoria are videos or printed? if video where they can be found?
Thanks
 
i thought it was very interesting that queen Elizabeth has never had an interview i wonder if that 20/20 special was the first for the other members
but i believe that William and harry had 1 a couple yrs back when they were asking him about when he was going to get married
 
Rolf Seelmann-Eggebert had an interview with Queen Silvia short time before the wedding of Madeleine (it's in German)
Königin Silvia plaudert über ihr Nesthäkchen | Das Erste - Royalty - Schweden

It's a nice and quite interesting interview, some points the Queen said:
- Madeleine is the youngest, but her elder siblings made sure she wasn't spoilt too much. She is shy although the media might give a different perception. But she is natural and open and can talk to everybody.

- How the parents found out about Chris? The Queen says as parents they feeled that there was somebody whom Madeleine liked very much. The Queen says about Chris that he is very nice and likeable. When they are with Chris they all speak in English (because Madeleine and Chris talk in English to each other). But Chris also speaks perfect German, so the Queen sometimes asks him in German about how to say something in English.

- Rolf Seelmann-Eggebert asks as the parents seem happy about Chris as partner of choice if there has been some time where they thought "we don't really like the idea of this specific person to be a boyfriend - or girlfriend." (I think he wanted to know about Sofia.) Queen Silvia says "I think we were lucky because it would be a difficult situation if that were be the case. The parents understand that it's the choice of the children and future lies in their hands. As parents you have to respect that and be supportive." and again "We were very lucky."

- about the wedding preparations:
As parents they have been involved in everything. Something that's not so easy are the seating arrangements in church and at the dinner. It has to be rightly done, which is some fun but 'a hard nut to crack'. When asks if somebody came afterwards to say they have been seated wrongly she laughs and says not yet, let's see what happen's on the 9th (the day after the wedding).
 
Elisabeth Rehn, the former Minister for Defense and UN Under-Secretary General and as the Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has interviewed queen Silvia to her talk show. The interview was made in the end of April and will be shown in finnish TV YLE Fem this evening.
Elisabeth möter drottning Silvia Yle Fem svenska.yle.fi
Translation

Queen Silvia recalls the trips she and the king made to the finnish archipelago. She tells how discreet and friendly the people were towards them. She especially remembers one coincidence: They had refuelled their boat when she felt that something was thrown to her arm. It was a sausage. Someone had wanted to give the queen something to eat but the distance was too long, so the sausage was thrown to the boat. The queen says that it was a kind gesture, and the sausage was good. Queen Silvia tells also that she and the king are still using the double rocking chair, which president Urho Kekkonen gave them as a wedding present. Also crown princess Victoria has been sitting at the chair when she was a child.
Illalla televisiossa Kuningatar Silviaa heitettiin Suomessa makkaralla - Viihde - Viihdeuutiset - Ilta-Sanomat

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/475134_655267944499431_854473834_o.jpg
 
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The interview of the Queen

Elisabeth Rehn says that she and the Finns are very delighted that the Queen gives this interview and the Queen says that they like Finland very much, they get always a very warm reception there. Not just she and the king, but also crown princess Victoria. Rehn tells about a poll few years ago, the Finns answered that they could have monarchy instead of republic, if Victoria would be their Queen. The Queen promised to tell this to Victoria. Rehn says that it is important that the Nordic countries keep together, a good example of it is that the new finnish president always makes his first state visit to Sweden. These are good and right bonds. The Queen understood it for the first time when president Kekkonen came to their wedding, it was so great that he could attend. And he attended also at Victoria's christening. President Kekkonen gave them a double rocking chair, the Queen still uses it and Rehn suggests that the Queen could sit there now with Estelle. The Queen thinks that it is an excellent idea. Rehn said that she knows that president Kekkonen meant a lot to the king. The Queen says that the king has often said that Kekkonen was important for him – he was an elderly, wise man, who could give advice in many important things. President Kekkonen felt a little responsibility to take care of the king, like a good neighbour should. Then they talked about the king's and queen's visits to the finnish archipelago.

Rehn says that after this lovely chat we will go to more serious things, the children, the Queen has paid so much attention to them. You have used your position and title in a good way. Tell how it all started. The Queen says that it started many years ago, she saw already as a child in Brazil that many children had miserable life, many were begging. She was already then shocked about this. And when she married the king, they travelled a lot and this vision got stronger and she wanted to do something. It was a humanitarian question for her and she was thinking how she could help. She doesn't want to say that she took advantage of her position. In a positive way, says Rehn. The Queen says that she could get people's attention to some things, she could tell about the things important to her. She was worried about the disabled children and also about the children who were abused. They weren't popular items, in some countries they were tabu. In Sweden and Europe the people didn't talk much about the child abuse. About the sexual abuse of the children wasn't discussed at all. The queen realized that she could do something to that. She spoke about the sexual abuse of the children at an UNESCO meeting in Paris and saw how shocked all were. But if you don't talk about things, nothing will change. We have to do something, these are difficult issues. That is why you want to continue. The children have it the toughest. It gives the Queen strength to continue, talk about it and try to help. You get friends who are interested in it too. Rehn says that the queen founded the World Childhood Foundation, many years ago. The Queen says that next year they have 15 year jubileum. Rehn says that as a Chair of the Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for Victims ICC she has seen when little girls get in the middle of violence and war. Her friends have told her: Why are you doing this. You are old (Rehn is 78 years old), you can sit and knit socks. Rehn says that she wants to help if she can. The Queen says that it is great that Rehn doesn't sit and knit socks.

Rehn asks if the Queen wants to help the disabled children because she speaks also the sign language. The Queen nods and tells that she got once flowers from a little boy and thanked him and saw that he didn't understand. She was told that the boy was deaf. The Queen thought it would be good if everyone knew sign language a little that they could communicate with the deaf. She started to go to a school for deaf children, for two hours every Thursday and the children taught her to sign. It was difficult, because at that time in Sweden the children weren’t wanted to sign, but read from the lips. The sign language wasn't officially popular, the children signed when they were together but officially they should learn to read from the lips. The Queen understood that the children spoke differently when they signed. The sign language is a very beautiful language, says the Queen. She was quite good in it then but now she has forgotten a lot.

Rehn says that Tsunami was harder for Sweden than Finland and tells that she cried when she heard the king’s speech. The Queen tells that the speech gives her still warm feelings. The catastrophe gave strong feelings for the king. With his speech the king connected all people who had difficult time then. He took them to his arms. The Queen and the King were in Stockholm when the Tsunami happened. Everyone was on a Christmas vacation. It was difficult to get information, she heard from the radio that five Swedes had died. Her godson was in Thailand and she didn't get him on the phone. She called the boy’s father and he spoke with the boy on the phone. The boy told that he had been on a trip and everything was so beautiful. While he spoke he got to the beach and saw what had happened. Her godson was a young soldier and helped at the rescue operation.
Rehn says that the royals have a sort of gag in their mouth, they can't express political opinions. Is it difficult sometimes, the king and queen get all the information but can't talk? The queen says that they can think. They don't want to get involved with the politics. The Queen tells that she was once asked about the marking of grades at school. It was and still is a hot question. Her children were at school then. She told her opinion as a mother but it was understood in a different way she meant. She learned from that she should not tell her personal opinions. They are in direct contact with the ministeries and speak about things but don’t do it in public.
Rehn says that one interesting issue was the change in the Order of Succession. The king was quite strict in his opinion that a good and well working order shouldn’t have been changed. You, the Queen, didn't say anything. Rehn thinks that the result was very good and she believes that the Crown Princess gets support from her family. Did the king want an easier life for the Crown princess? The queen says that it is not easy to be a parent when a so important issue is to be changed. When the Queen got married, she was married with the King and had small children at the same time. It is very tough and people don't always understand that. Now the Crown Princess has her small family and it is important that she has time for her family and that she can spend time with her child. She has her tasks and duties and she does them, but of course she misses Estelle all the time. The Queen thinks that the King understood this already when the Order of Succession changed. It is difficult to merge with the work and the family life. Someone suffers always. It is important that the Crown Princess has time with her child. She will be an excellent Queen. We all know that, says Rehn. The Queen continues: She is emphathic, wise and honest.

Rehn asks if the Queen has sometimes had a bad conscience which the career women sometimes have? Always, says the Queen. It isn't easy when you have a great sense of duty and want to help. The children are sad. The duty calls. The Queen got great help from the nannies, they gave great safety, but the mother is the mother. Rehn says that one gets these feelings when one does things or work which doesn't benefit their children at all. How the royal children have coped with the chase by the media? The Queen says that the children have done well, she admires them. Carl Philip is doing quite well, and Madeleine has got stronger during the years. But she thinks that the media should take more responsibility about what they write. The Queen is happy that she has such great children: nice, natural and they treat other people well. That is not always seen. Rehn says that that doesn't sell as well. The Queen says that the press writes things that aren't true, she is very sad about that. Rehn says that then you are fighting against something you can't control. Rehn asks if the King and Queen can sometimes live a really normal life when they are on vacation? The Queen smiles: Yes we can. Rehn says that the Queen has accomplished so much in Sweden and abroad because of her work and that she cares. Rehn thanks for the interview and the Queen says that this was a great discussion, and sends greetings to Finland.

Info about the interviewer, Elisabeth Rehn.
http://www.elisabethrehn.com/cv.htm
 
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LadyFinn said:
The interview of the Queen

Elisabeth Rehn says that she and the Finns are very delighted that the Queen gives this interview and the Queen says that they like Finland very much, they get always a very warm reception there. Not just she and the king, but also crown princess Victoria. Rehn tells about a poll few years ago, the Finns answered that they could have monarchy instead of republic, if Victoria would be their Queen. The Queen promised to tell this to Victoria. Rehn says that it is important that the Nordic countries keep together, a good example of it is that the new finnish president always makes his first state visit to Sweden. These are good and right bonds. The Queen understood it for the first time when president Kekkonen came to their wedding, it was so great that he could attend. And he attended also at Victoria's christening. President Kekkonen gave them a double rocking chair, the Queen still uses it and Rehn suggests that the Queen could sit there now with Estelle. The Queen thinks that it is an excellent idea. Rehn said that she knows that president Kekkonen meant a lot to the king. The Queen says that the king has often said that Kekkonen was important for him – he was an elderly, wise man, who could give advice in many important things. President Kekkonen felt a little responsibility to take care of the king, like a good neighbour should. Then they talked about the king's and queen's visits to the finnish archipelago.

Rehn says that after this lovely chat we will go to more serious things, the children, the Queen has paid so much attention to them. You have used your position and title in a good way. Tell how it all started. The Queen says that it started many years ago, she saw already as a child in Brazil that many children had miserable life, many were begging. She was already then shocked about this. And when she married the king, they travelled a lot and this vision got stronger and she wanted to do something. It was a humanitarian question for her and she was thinking how she could help. She doesn't want to say that she took advantage of her position. In a positive way, says Rehn. The Queen says that she could get people's attention to some things, she could tell about the things important to her. She was worried about the disabled children and also about the children who were abused. They weren't popular items, in some countries they were tabu. In Sweden and Europe the people didn't talk much about the child abuse. About the sexual abuse of the children wasn't discussed at all. The queen realized that she could do something to that. She spoke about the sexual abuse of the children at an UNESCO meeting in Paris and saw how shocked all were. But if you don't talk about things, nothing will change. We have to do something, these are difficult issues. That is why you want to continue. The children have it the toughest. It gives the Queen strength to continue, talk about it and try to help. You get friends who are interested in it too. Rehn says that the queen founded the World Childhood Foundation, many years ago. The Queen says that next year they have 15 year jubileum. Rehn says that as a Chair of the Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for Victims ICC she has seen when little girls get in the middle of violence and war. Her friends have told her: Why are you doing this. You are old (Rehn is 78 years old), you can sit and knit socks. Rehn says that she wants to help if she can. The Queen says that it is great that Rehn doesn't sit and knit socks.

Rehn asks if the Queen wants to help the disabled children because she speaks also the sign language. The Queen nods and tells that she got once flowers from a little boy and thanked him and saw that he didn't understand. She was told that the boy was deaf. The Queen thought it would be good if everyone knew sign language a little that they could communicate with the deaf. She started to go to a school for deaf children, for two hours every Thursday and the children taught her to sign. It was difficult, because at that time in Sweden the children weren’t wanted to sign, but read from the lips. The sign language wasn't officially popular, the children signed when they were together but officially they should learn to read from the lips. The Queen understood that the children spoke differently when they signed. The sign language is a very beautiful language, says the Queen. She was quite good in it then but now she has forgotten a lot.

Rehn says that Tsunami was harder for Sweden than Finland and tells that she cried when she heard the king’s speech. The Queen tells that the speech gives her still warm feelings. The catastrophe gave strong feelings for the king. With his speech the king connected all people who had difficult time then. He took them to his arms. The Queen and the King were in Stockholm when the Tsunami happened. Everyone was on a Christmas vacation. It was difficult to get information, she heard from the radio that five Swedes had died. Her godson was in Thailand and she didn't get him on the phone. She called the boy’s father and he spoke with the boy on the phone. The boy told that he had been on a trip and everything was so beautiful. While he spoke he got to the beach and saw what had happened. Her godson was a young soldier and helped at the rescue operation.
Rehn says that the royals have a sort of gag in their mouth, they can't express political opinions. Is it difficult sometimes, the king and queen get all the information but can't talk? The queen says that they can think. They don't want to get involved with the politics. The Queen tells that she was once asked about the marking of grades at school. It was and still is a hot question. Her children were at school then. She told her opinion as a mother but it was understood in a different way she meant. She learned from that she should not tell her personal opinions. They are in direct contact with the ministeries and speak about things but don’t do it in public.
Rehn says that one interesting issue was the change in the Order of Succession. The king was quite strict in his opinion that a good and well working order shouldn’t have been changed. You, the Queen, didn't say anything. Rehn thinks that the result was very good and she believes that the Crown Princess gets support from her family. Did the king want an easier life for the Crown princess? The queen says that it is not easy to be a parent when a so important issue is to be changed. When the Queen got married, she was married with the King and had small children at the same time. It is very tough and people don't always understand that. Now the Crown Princess has her small family and it is important that she has time for her family and that she can spend time with her child. She has her tasks and duties and she does them, but of course she misses Estelle all the time. The Queen thinks that the King understood this already when the Order of Succession changed. It is difficult to merge with the work and the family life. Someone suffers always. It is important that the Crown Princess has time with her child. She will be an excellent Queen. We all know that, says Rehn. The Queen continues: She is emphathic, wise and honest.

Rehn asks if the Queen has sometimes had a bad conscience which the career women sometimes have? Always, says the Queen. It isn't easy when you have a great sense of duty and want to help. The children are sad. The duty calls. The Queen got great help from the nannies, they gave great safety, but the mother is the mother. Rehn says that one gets these feelings when one does things or work which doesn't benefit their children at all. How the royal children have coped with the chase by the media? The Queen says that the children have done well, she admires them. Carl Philip is doing quite well, and Madeleine has got stronger during the years. But she thinks that the media should take more responsibility about what they write. The Queen is happy that she has such great children: nice, natural and they treat other people well. That is not always seen. Rehn says that that doesn't sell as well. The Queen says that the press writes things that aren't true, she is very sad about that. Rehn says that then you are fighting against something you can't control. Rehn asks if the King and Queen can sometimes live a really normal life when they are on vacation? The Queen smiles: Yes we can. Rehn says that the Queen has accomplished so much in Sweden and abroad because of her work and that she cares. Rehn thanks for the interview and the Queen says that this was a great discussion, and sends greetings to Finland.

Info about the interviewer, Elisabeth Rehn.
Elisabeth Rehn CV
Click to expand...

thank you! :)
 
LadyFinn said:
The interview of the Queen

Elisabeth Rehn says that she and the Finns are very delighted that the Queen gives this interview and the Queen says that they like Finland very much, they get always a very warm reception there. Not just she and the king, but also crown princess Victoria. Rehn tells about a poll few years ago, the Finns answered that they could have monarchy instead of republic, if Victoria would be their Queen. The Queen promised to tell this to Victoria. Rehn says that it is important that the Nordic countries keep together, a good example of it is that the new finnish president always makes his first state visit to Sweden. These are good and right bonds. The Queen understood it for the first time when president Kekkonen came to their wedding, it was so great that he could attend. And he attended also at Victoria's christening. President Kekkonen gave them a double rocking chair, the Queen still uses it and Rehn suggests that the Queen could sit there now with Estelle. The Queen thinks that it is an excellent idea. Rehn said that she knows that president Kekkonen meant a lot to the king. The Queen says that the king has often said that Kekkonen was important for him – he was an elderly, wise man, who could give advice in many important things. President Kekkonen felt a little responsibility to take care of the king, like a good neighbour should. Then they talked about the king's and queen's visits to the finnish archipelago.

Rehn says that after this lovely chat we will go to more serious things, the children, the Queen has paid so much attention to them. You have used your position and title in a good way. Tell how it all started. The Queen says that it started many years ago, she saw already as a child in Brazil that many children had miserable life, many were begging. She was already then shocked about this. And when she married the king, they travelled a lot and this vision got stronger and she wanted to do something. It was a humanitarian question for her and she was thinking how she could help. She doesn't want to say that she took advantage of her position. In a positive way, says Rehn. The Queen says that she could get people's attention to some things, she could tell about the things important to her. She was worried about the disabled children and also about the children who were abused. They weren't popular items, in some countries they were tabu. In Sweden and Europe the people didn't talk much about the child abuse. About the sexual abuse of the children wasn't discussed at all. The queen realized that she could do something to that. She spoke about the sexual abuse of the children at an UNESCO meeting in Paris and saw how shocked all were. But if you don't talk about things, nothing will change. We have to do something, these are difficult issues. That is why you want to continue. The children have it the toughest. It gives the Queen strength to continue, talk about it and try to help. You get friends who are interested in it too. Rehn says that the queen founded the World Childhood Foundation, many years ago. The Queen says that next year they have 15 year jubileum. Rehn says that as a Chair of the Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for Victims ICC she has seen when little girls get in the middle of violence and war. Her friends have told her: Why are you doing this. You are old (Rehn is 78 years old), you can sit and knit socks. Rehn says that she wants to help if she can. The Queen says that it is great that Rehn doesn't sit and knit socks.

Rehn asks if the Queen wants to help the disabled children because she speaks also the sign language. The Queen nods and tells that she got once flowers from a little boy and thanked him and saw that he didn't understand. She was told that the boy was deaf. The Queen thought it would be good if everyone knew sign language a little that they could communicate with the deaf. She started to go to a school for deaf children, for two hours every Thursday and the children taught her to sign. It was difficult, because at that time in Sweden the children weren’t wanted to sign, but read from the lips. The sign language wasn't officially popular, the children signed when they were together but officially they should learn to read from the lips. The Queen understood that the children spoke differently when they signed. The sign language is a very beautiful language, says the Queen. She was quite good in it then but now she has forgotten a lot.

Rehn says that Tsunami was harder for Sweden than Finland and tells that she cried when she heard the king’s speech. The Queen tells that the speech gives her still warm feelings. The catastrophe gave strong feelings for the king. With his speech the king connected all people who had difficult time then. He took them to his arms. The Queen and the King were in Stockholm when the Tsunami happened. Everyone was on a Christmas vacation. It was difficult to get information, she heard from the radio that five Swedes had died. Her godson was in Thailand and she didn't get him on the phone. She called the boy’s father and he spoke with the boy on the phone. The boy told that he had been on a trip and everything was so beautiful. While he spoke he got to the beach and saw what had happened. Her godson was a young soldier and helped at the rescue operation.
Rehn says that the royals have a sort of gag in their mouth, they can't express political opinions. Is it difficult sometimes, the king and queen get all the information but can't talk? The queen says that they can think. They don't want to get involved with the politics. The Queen tells that she was once asked about the marking of grades at school. It was and still is a hot question. Her children were at school then. She told her opinion as a mother but it was understood in a different way she meant. She learned from that she should not tell her personal opinions. They are in direct contact with the ministeries and speak about things but don’t do it in public.
Rehn says that one interesting issue was the change in the Order of Succession. The king was quite strict in his opinion that a good and well working order shouldn’t have been changed. You, the Queen, didn't say anything. Rehn thinks that the result was very good and she believes that the Crown Princess gets support from her family. Did the king want an easier life for the Crown princess? The queen says that it is not easy to be a parent when a so important issue is to be changed. When the Queen got married, she was married with the King and had small children at the same time. It is very tough and people don't always understand that. Now the Crown Princess has her small family and it is important that she has time for her family and that she can spend time with her child. She has her tasks and duties and she does them, but of course she misses Estelle all the time. The Queen thinks that the King understood this already when the Order of Succession changed. It is difficult to merge with the work and the family life. Someone suffers always. It is important that the Crown Princess has time with her child. She will be an excellent Queen. We all know that, says Rehn. The Queen continues: She is emphathic, wise and honest.

Rehn asks if the Queen has sometimes had a bad conscience which the career women sometimes have? Always, says the Queen. It isn't easy when you have a great sense of duty and want to help. The children are sad. The duty calls. The Queen got great help from the nannies, they gave great safety, but the mother is the mother. Rehn says that one gets these feelings when one does things or work which doesn't benefit their children at all. How the royal children have coped with the chase by the media? The Queen says that the children have done well, she admires them. Carl Philip is doing quite well, and Madeleine has got stronger during the years. But she thinks that the media should take more responsibility about what they write. The Queen is happy that she has such great children: nice, natural and they treat other people well. That is not always seen. Rehn says that that doesn't sell as well. The Queen says that the press writes things that aren't true, she is very sad about that. Rehn says that then you are fighting against something you can't control. Rehn asks if the King and Queen can sometimes live a really normal life when they are on vacation? The Queen smiles: Yes we can. Rehn says that the Queen has accomplished so much in Sweden and abroad because of her work and that she cares. Rehn thanks for the interview and the Queen says that this was a great discussion, and sends greetings to Finland.

Info about the interviewer, Elisabeth Rehn.
Elisabeth Rehn CV
Click to expand...
:previous:
Thanks Lady Finn, :flowers::flowers::flowers:
 
Baron Brockdorf said:
this sounds like an intersting interview......can someone please translate the main points spoken about in the discussion? many thanks :)
Click to expand...

I've written a summary a while ago here http://www.theroyalforums.com/forum...s-of-the-royal-family-1771-4.html#post1562336
fairy tale said:
Rolf Seelmann-Eggebert had an interview with Queen Silvia short time before the wedding of Madeleine (it's in German)
Königin Silvia plaudert über ihr Nesthäkchen | Das Erste - Royalty - Schweden

It's a nice and quite interesting interview, some points the Queen said:
- Madeleine is the youngest, but her elder siblings made sure she wasn't spoilt too much. She is shy although the media might give a different perception. But she is natural and open and can talk to everybody.

- How the parents found out about Chris? The Queen says as parents they feeled that there was somebody whom Madeleine liked very much. The Queen says about Chris that he is very nice and likeable. When they are with Chris they all speak in English (because Madeleine and Chris talk in English to each other). But Chris also speaks perfect German, so the Queen sometimes asks him in German about how to say something in English.

- Rolf Seelmann-Eggebert asks as the parents seem happy about Chris as partner of choice if there has been some time where they thought "we don't really like the idea of this specific person to be a boyfriend - or girlfriend." (I think he wanted to know about Sofia.) Queen Silvia says "I think we were lucky because it would be a difficult situation if that were be the case. The parents understand that it's the choice of the children and future lies in their hands. As parents you have to respect that and be supportive." and again "We were very lucky."

- about the wedding preparations:
As parents they have been involved in everything. Something that's not so easy are the seating arrangements in church and at the dinner. It has to be rightly done, which is some fun but 'a hard nut to crack'. When asks if somebody came afterwards to say they have been seated wrongly she laughs and says not yet, let's see what happen's on the 9th (the day after the wedding).
Click to expand...
 
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