The Staff and Court of the Royal Family

Kingen · Jul 1, 2017

The obituary in the local newspaper Kristianstadsbladet.

Familj.se - {{headTitle}}

Kristianstadsbladet published an interview with the priest preceding the funeral on Wednesday on Alice's wishes of the funeral.

The article is only available online if you pay for it, but I had the opportunity to read the article in my parents' paper, which I have translated.

Grevinnan bad om en traditionell ceremoni - Kristianstadsbladet

The Countess asked for a traditional service
A traditional service after Alice Trolle-Wachtmeister's wishes, well anchored in her Christian faith. It is in the spirit of this that Göran Mellander precedes over the funeral service Wednesday.

Atmospheric and memorable after Church of Sweden's order. The funeral service in Trolle Ljungby church for Countess Alice Trolle-Wachtmeister will be traditional.
- Alice was a human well anchored in the Christian tradition. Then, the rituals get power, says Vicar emeritus Göran Mellander.
He is incredible grateful for the confidence to precede over the ceremony. He and Alice Trolle-Wachtmeister has since 2000, when he came to the parish as a vicar, had an ongoing conversation and friendship. She was during many years Churchwarden/host during services and was according to Mellander Trolle Ljungby's most frequent church visitor.
- The church has really meant a lot to her. We met in conversations on matters of faith. We didn't thought the same always, but in that was an honesty in the whole person of her and a mutual respect. She early announced that she wanted me to preced over her funeral.
It is the wishes of Alice Trolle-Wachtmeister that govern the ritual. The Danish Hymn, as a memory from the childhood, the memorable words. Confidently and light.
- I prepare in the same way as I alway do, there is no difference. It is actually easier to preced over a funeral when you have a personal relation, it is easier to find the right words, says Göran Mellander.
He confesses that it will be a bit special after all, with the Royal Family and other distinguished guests in attendance, with the rituals coming with that.
- But I am confident with good advisors in the family and with the contact I had with Alice now in the end.
Will the Royal Family take part in the service in other ways than as guests?
- What I know is that they are attending. I prepare my own part, what more happens I don't know.
Is there anything in the service that says more about the Countess than something else?
- Hymn 183 "Som sådden förnimmer Guds välbehag". I think very easily of Alice when I hear that one.

LadyFinn · Jul 11, 2017

LadyFinn · Jul 12, 2017

From Svensk Damtidning
Just nu_ Kungafamiljen tar farväl av Alice Trolle-Wachtmeister _ Svensk Damtidning
Kungafamiljens tunga avsked _ Svensk Damtidning

Leaving the church
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Video and photos
Här sörjer kungafamiljen sin nära vän Alice Trolle-Wachtmeister _ Aftonbladet

Galleries
BILDEXTRA_ Här begravs Alice Trolle-Wachtmeister _ 24kristianstad.se
Kuningasperhe hautajaisissa - rikkoiko prinssi Carl Philipin punainen sateenvarjo etikettiä_
Kungafamiljens sorg – här tar de farväl av nära vännen _ Hänt.se
Victorias tårar innan födelsedagen _ Stoppa Pressarna
IBL Bildbyrå
Click "more media" to get all photos
ROYAL: Die schwedischen Royal bei der Beisetzungszeremonie von Gräfin Alice Trolle Wachtmeister

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DEiu5cAXcAA3_-V.jpg
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Large gallery
Fotografie Funeral of Countess Alice Trolle-Wachtmeister - fotobanka Profimedia

An Ard Ri · Jul 12, 2017

Swedish RF attend the Funeral of Countess Alice Trolle-Wachtmeister in Trolle-Ljungby Church.

PPE Agency

iceflower · Jul 12, 2017

.

The dailymail also has an article about the funeral:

** dailymail: Sombre Swedish royals - including pregnant Princess Sofia and Princess Madeleine - gather to mourn the loss of Countess Alice Trolle-Wachtmeister **

LadyFinn · Jul 13, 2017

Nina Eldh, the former director of the press department of the court, helped family Trolle-Wachtmeister on the funeral day with contacts with the press.
She said:
- The church and faith meant a lot to Alice. The Crown Princess and Alice have been close to each other and it means a lot to the Crown Princess to be here today.
Bildspel_ I dag begravdes Alice Trolle Wachtmeister - P4 Kristianstad _ Sveriges Radio

Kungafamiljen tog farväl av gammal vän

Gallery
Belga Image

Videos
Alice Trolle-Wachtmeisters begravning
Alice Trolle-Wachtmeisters förs till graven

CatherineMiddleton · Jul 15, 2017

Does Alexander have a new nanny? I have posted that question on my @hrhprincesssofia

LadyFinn · Jul 16, 2017

Ebba von Mecklenburg, "Åldfrun", the Housekeeper of the Royal Palace, has retired. Court florist Claes Carlsson has taken her duties from March this year, he is called "Slottsmästaren", Master of the Palace. Royal expert Claes-Johan Larsson told this at TV4's broadcast on Victoria's birthday. Claes Carlsson has worked as the court florist since 2001 and continues in this job too.

CatherineMiddleton · Jul 16, 2017

LadyFinn said:
Ebba von Mecklenburg, "Åldfrun", the Housekeeper of the Royal Palace, has retired. Court florist Claes Carlsson has taken her duties from March this year, he is called "Slottsmästaren", Master of the Palace. Royal expert Claes-Johan Larsson told this at TV4's broadcast on Victoria's birthday. Claes Carlsson has worked as the court florist since 2001 and continues in this job too.

Could you look at the post above yours?

tommy100 · Jul 16, 2017

I'm guessing its a new nanny, apparently CP and Sofia said they didn't want a nanny when their first was born but maybe they have decided to get extra help in while they settle into a new routine.

Kingen · Jul 16, 2017

LadyFinn said:
Ebba von Mecklenburg, "Åldfrun", the Housekeeper of the Royal Palace, has retired. Court florist Claes Carlsson has taken her duties from March this year, he is called "Slottsmästaren", Master of the Palace. Royal expert Claes-Johan Larsson told this at TV4's broadcast on Victoria's birthday. Claes Carlsson has worked as the court florist since 2001 and continues in this job too.

That's interesting, especially that they leave the traditional titles.

LadyFinn · Jul 16, 2017

CatherineMiddleton said:
Does Alexander have a new nanny? I have posted that question on my @hrhprincesssofia

Yes, according to swedish press Alexander has a nanny, she was at Victoria's birthday celebration and came with the family to Öland. So far the swedish press hasn't written about her name and when she has been hired.

The Master of Ceremonies at the Royal Court is Odd Zschiedrich, the Administrative Director of the Swedish Academy.
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We could see him many times during Victoria's 40th birthday celebrations, here with Victoria and Daniel.
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He was also at The Öland Inhabitant of the Year ceremony in Solliden on Tuesday.
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Svensk Damtidning's article of the funeral of countess Alice Trolle-Wachtmeister.
The article says that Victoria fought against her tears and stayed for a long time at the grave, to say her final farewell. Queen Silvia was very touched. It was Alice whom she and the king turned to have some advice. Alice is said to be one of those few people who could get the king change his point of view. After the funeral there was a reception for the 140 guests at the castle.
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LadyFinn · Aug 5, 2017

Anita Söderlind, Carl Philip's and Sofia's secretary at the court, at Sofia's event in Båstad, 2nd August.
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Kungliga Magasinet had an article about some members of the staff of the court.

The Marshal of the Realm Svante Lindqvist
The Mistress of the Robes Kirstine von Blixen-Finecke
The First Lady of the Court Anna Hamilton, the Head of H.M. The Queen's Household
The First Marshal of the Court Mats Nilsson
The Marshal of the Court Karolin A. Johansson, the Head of H.R.H The Crown Princess's Household
Chambermaid/stylist Tina Törnqvist, Crown princess Victoria's stylist
The Director of the Information and Press Department Margareta Thorgren
The Master of the Palace and Court Florist Claes Carlsson
The Surveyor to the Royal Household Jochen Fritz
The King's Chef Stefano Catenacci
The Director of the Royal Collections Margareta Nisser-Dalman
The King's Priest Michael Bjerkhagen, Court Chaplain and Rector of the Royal Court Parish.
Dep. director at the department of visitor operations at the Royal Palaces Morgan Gerle
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Johan Tegel, who has been the court's press secretary about a year and has worked also at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, served as footman at the official dinners when he was younger. The court told in 2011 about the official dinners, there were 42 footmen.
Johan Tegel told:
How long have you been a footman?
"For four years. Just like all the other footmen, I also have another job — I don't work as a waiter as my day job. When I was asked, I didn't hesitate for a moment — the opportunity to serve at the finest banquets in Sweden is a great honour. Especially in these 19th century uniforms. The sense of history is palpable — it's a chance to play a part in keeping our cultural heritage alive."
Official dinners. How it works_ service - Sveriges Kungahus

LadyFinn · Sep 6, 2017

There will be a memorial service for the former Mistress of the Robes, countess Alice Trolle-Wachtmeister, at the Royal Chapel at the Royal Palace on 22nd September.
Now listed to attend: The king, the queen, the crown princess, prince Carl Philip.
Kalender - Sveriges Kungahus

Elisabeth Tarras-Wahlberg, the former Director of the Information and Press department and the Marshal of the Court/Head of HRH Crown Princess Victoria's Household, was interviewed at "Tankar med Daniel Redgert". It's a 63 minutes program. Tarras-Wahlberg told about her work in Qatar, her work at the swedish royal court, her life and her new love Tom, they have been together about four years. They speak a lot of Tarras-Wahlberg's private life, and she says that one of the finest things in her life is that she has a really great relationship with her daughters.
Tarras-Wahlberg started at the royal court in 1976 as a press assistant, in 1995-2004 she was the Director of the Information and Press Department, and in 2004-2008 she was The Marshal of the Court/Head of Victoria's Household.
Tarras-Wahlberg tells about her working days at the court: There were no ordinary working days. It was a little flexible because sometimes you didn't work at the Palace but were traveling with the royal family or preparing for their visits outside the Palace. But she usually came to work at nine o'clock and left at six o'clock.
There was a meeting on every Tuesday, where the king and queen were leaders. They went through all invitations and thanked yes or no. The meeting lasted three hours and then they had a working lunch, traditional home made food made at the Royal Palace. And then there were own meetings at the press department, and at Victoria's Household.
Redgert asks how the recruitment to the court takes place and Tarras-Wahlberg tells that in the beginning, the court didn't announce about jobs somewhere. It was made through contacts. But later, they had job advertisements in newspapers and eventually on the net. The reason for the initially closed recruitment process was simple: You would like to know who you hired. That would be the case, of course, and of course now too.
Tarras-Wahlberg confirms that the king and Victoria can't fly at the same plane, they did it when Victoria was a child but not after she became of age. The court chooses the regular flights by price. The flights with lowest prices are chosen if they have as good security as the more expensive flights. Tarras-Wahlberg took leave of absence for a year from the court to work for the Emir of Qatar and her colleagues organized her a farewell party. When she returned to Sweden, there wasn't any work suitable for her competence (Victoria had a new Marshal of the Court) at the court, so Tarras-Wahlberg decided that it was time for her to do something else and the court held a dinner in her honor. Daniel Redgert speaks about Madde, and Tarras-Wahlberg corrects "Oh, you mean Her Royal Highness, princess Madeleine".
Tankar med..._ 69. Elisabeth Tarras-Wahlberg

LadyFinn · Dec 1, 2017

SVT's royal expert Roger Lundgren said today at the christening broadcast that The Surveyor to the Royal Household, Jochen Fritz has left his job at the royal court. We could see that also at the guest list. Fritz has worked for the court for a long time. He was still working at the court during Victoria's 40th birthday. Also the Master of Ceremonies Jan-Eric Warren retired some time ago.

Kingen · Dec 3, 2017

LadyFinn said:
SVT's royal expert Roger Lundgren said today at the christening broadcast that The Surveyor to the Royal Household, Jochen Fritz has left his job at the royal court. We could see that also at the guest list. Fritz has worked for the court for a long time. He was still working at the court during Victoria's 40th birthday. Also the Master of Ceremonies Jan-Eric Warren retired some time ago.

Thanks for the update LadyFinn. While Jochen Fritz position seems to be more of the ordinary kind, I think the Master of the Ceremonies is more of a title than a position and work is only required in connection with formal events.

Was there any reason given for why they have left?

LadyFinn · Jan 4, 2018

Kingen said:
Thanks for the update LadyFinn. While Jochen Fritz position seems to be more of the ordinary kind, I think the Master of the Ceremonies is more of a title than a position and work is only required in connection with formal events.

Was there any reason given for why they have left?

No reason was given why Jochen Fritz left. Jan-Eric Warren is over 70 years old and obviously it was time for him to retire. It's possible that he retired already in the end of 2015 when he turned 70. Warren has been invited to the family events though, for instance now at Gabriel's christening.

The Chief of Military Staff Major General Håkan Pettersson turned also 70 last year, so perhaps he is retiring soon?

There are also jobs available at the press and information department
Digital redaktör - Sveriges Kungahus
Vikarierande pressassistent - Sveriges Kungahus

loonytick · Jan 4, 2018

The other night I watched the latest "Royal Year" documentary from the Swedish court. For Queen Silvia's portion she showed her office and talked about the important role played by her ladies-in-waiting. She said that initially it felt quite strange to take on that help but that she came to really value them. What I found particularly interesting was how she used to gravitate towards choosing women with backgrounds in nursing because she felt they'd always be interesting and easy to talk to, since they had experience with putting patients at ease. She said there were several occasions on which the former nurses helping her actually jumped in and gave emergency medical assistance to people at events the queen was attending. She also credited them with introducing her to certain issues and concerns that would become part of Silvia's charitable focus and patronage.

Kingen · Jan 15, 2018

The King has appointed a new Marshal of the Realm, Fredrik Wersäll, President of Svea Court of Appeal, to take office on 1 September 2018. He succeeds Svante Lindqvist that has held the position for nearly nine years.

Fredrik Wersäll has been President of Svea Court of Appeal since 2008. Has has prior to that Prosecutor-general, Justice of the Supreme Court, Director-General for Legal Affairs at the Department for Justice. He has also held other various public positions.

The Marshal of the Realm is the highest official and head of the Royal Court. Riksmarskalken är Hovets högste tjänsteman och chef för de Kungliga Hovstaterna. Fredrik Wersäll will be the 47th Marshal of the Realm since the office was instituted in 1607, and the 8th during the reign of the current King.

Fredrik Wersäll blir ny riksmarskalk - Sveriges Kungahus

LadyFinn · Jan 15, 2018

Svante Lindqvist has his 70th birthday in April, he has been the Marshal of the Realm from January 2010. His predecessor Ingemar Eliasson resigned also when he was 70 years old, he was the Marshal of the Realm 1st September 2003-1st January 2010. Fredrik Wersäll has his 67th birthday in April. If he resigns when he is 70, his time as the Marshal of the Realm will be significantly shorter than his predecessors'.

LadyFinn · Apr 15, 2018

The Royal Court's Information Department seeks Digital Editor
As a coworker at The Royal Court's Information Department you work to increase the knowledge and understanding of about the work of the Head of State, the Royal Family's role and mission and the Royal Cultural Heritage.
As a digital editor, your task is to produce material for The Royal Court's website and social media accounts daily and you are one of the seven coworkers at the information department.
Hammer & Hanborg Digital redaktör till Kungliga Hovstaterna

LadyFinn · Jun 4, 2018

The Royal Family's priest Michael Bjerkhagen, Reverend, Court Chaplain and Rector of the Royal Court Parish presented his boyfriend to the press at the wedding of Louise Gottlieb and Gustaf Thott.
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Michael Bjerkhagen, 51, presented his boyfiriend Fredrik Sollner, 29, to the press. Fredrik studies theology in Uppsala.
- We have been together for two years and are very happy. It was above all faith that brought us together.
They have not moved together - yet.
- Fredrik is studying so far and has two years left, but we spend a lot of time together. We also have a lot of common interests: We are very historically interested, like classical music, theater, literature, training and cooking.
Kungafamiljens präst – om sin egen kärlek
Kungens präst talar ut om unge pojkvännen _ Stoppa Pressarna

This young woman works in the royal court, perhaps in the press department, since photographer Pelle T Nilsson praises her as "This is a good girl at the royal court", and photographer Magnus Liljegren comments "I agree with that".
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjsi-JIF-wF/?taken-by=pelletnilsson

The royal court has updated their website "The Royal Court" about the responsibilities of the Households.

"The Queen's Household is responsible for The Queen's official and private programme. It is also responsible for the planning and implementation of Princess Madeleine's official activities and representation."
H.M. The Queen's Household - Sveriges Kungahus

H.M. The King's Household is responsible for the planning and implementation of The King's own and The King and Queen's joint official activities and representation.
It is also responsible for the planning and implementation of Prince Carl Philip's and Princess Sofia's official activities and representation.
In addition, H.M. The King's Household deals with official and private correspondence and travel, and is responsible for the gift storehouse.
H.M. The King's Household - Sveriges Kungahus

Previously both Carl Philip and Sofia's and Madeleine's official activities were taken care of by H.M. The King's Household. The Queen's Household has also been responsible of the Royal Domestic Household at Drottningholm, but now the website doesn't mention that anymore.

But the Royal Court doesn't do very good work in updating the website. At the page or Royal finances it is still written about princess Lilian's Household...

Somebody · Jun 24, 2018

Given that most of the very limited number of activities are related to queen Silvia's World Childhood Foundation, this change makes a lot of sense.

JR76 · Jun 24, 2018

LadyFinn said:
The royal court has updated their website "The Royal Court" about the responsibilities of the Households.

"The Queen's Household is responsible for The Queen's official and private programme. It is also responsible for the planning and implementation of Princess Madeleine's official activities and representation."
H.M. The Queen's Household - Sveriges Kungahus

H.M. The King's Household is responsible for the planning and implementation of The King's own and The King and Queen's joint official activities and representation.
It is also responsible for the planning and implementation of Prince Carl Philip's and Princess Sofia's official activities and representation.
In addition, H.M. The King's Household deals with official and private correspondence and travel, and is responsible for the gift storehouse.
H.M. The King's Household - Sveriges Kungahus

Previously both Carl Philip and Sofia's and Madeleine's official activities were taken care of by H.M. The King's Household. The Queen's Household has also been responsible of the Royal Domestic Household at Drottningholm, but now the website doesn't mention that anymore.

But the Royal Court doesn't do very good work in updating the website. At the page or Royal finances it is still written about princess Lilian's Household...

I don't think that Lilian's Household being mentioned is a sign of the website being poorly updated but instead it's because of certain legal obligations regarding business matters. I know that for instance it's mandatory to keep all papers in an organisation for 10 years after it was written so I'm sure it has something to do with either that or that all her assets haven't been shifted yet (I think that's the right translation).

Sarahbellar · Jun 24, 2018

LadyFinn said:
The royal court has updated their website "The Royal Court" about the responsibilities of the Households.

"The Queen's Household is responsible for The Queen's official and private programme. It is also responsible for the planning and implementation of Princess Madeleine's official activities and representation."
H.M. The Queen's Household - Sveriges Kungahus

H.M. The King's Household is responsible for the planning and implementation of The King's own and The King and Queen's joint official activities and representation.
It is also responsible for the planning and implementation of Prince Carl Philip's and Princess Sofia's official activities and representation.
In addition, H.M. The King's Household deals with official and private correspondence and travel, and is responsible for the gift storehouse.
H.M. The King's Household - Sveriges Kungahus

Previously both Carl Philip and Sofia's and Madeleine's official activities were taken care of by H.M. The King's Household. The Queen's Household has also been responsible of the Royal Domestic Household at Drottningholm, but now the website doesn't mention that anymore.

But the Royal Court doesn't do very good work in updating the website. At the page or Royal finances it is still written about princess Lilian's Household...

It is very interesting that the English site has more information about the Households compared to the Swedish site- that is never the case!

LadyFinn · Jul 25, 2018

These are the noble women working for queen silvia

When the royal house calls, the nobility sets up.
The top of the main employees working for Queen Silvia are noble women. The demands are sky high and in addition to great skills, the court also requires loyalty and discretion.
- They are very loyal. They never talk afterwards or smuggle pictures, says historian Herman Lindqvist.
Today, a couple of hundred people work for the Swedish royal house. They are handpicked, carefully checked and have no criminal past.
Most of the women working for queen Silvia are noble women.
That's how it has always been - and Queen Silvia ensures that that tradition lives on.
Historian and journalist Herman Lindqvist, 75, finds it natural to choose women from the nobility:
- Thery are people grown up in the right environment, who know what it's all about and who want to keep up with this, he says.
Head of the Queen's Household is Countess Anna Hamilton, 51.
She has the title First Lady of the Court, she is the head of Queen Silvia's staff and has the highest responsibility for her schedule and program. Anna Hamilton was formerly named Rudbeck and born to a baronial family. Baron is the second highest noble title. When she married count Peter Hamilton she became a countess.
Anna Hamilton has a degree from Stockholm University. She worked previously as information manager at Stockholms Auktionsverk.
Anna and Peter Hamilton live in a 138 square meter apartment at Östermalm worth about SEK 14 million.
Count Hamilton is a member of the Board of Directors in two companies focusing on equity investments and tax advice.
Mistress of the Robes baroness Kirstine von Blixen-Finecke
Anna Hamilton succeeded former First Lady of the Court, baroness Kirstine von Blixen-Finecke, 73, who received the prestigious post as the Mistress of the Robes. It is the finest title at the court after the Marshal of the Realm. The work is to advise the Queen at state visits and other ceremonies. Kirstine von Blixen-Finecke is also in the boards of the World Childhood Foundation, the Global Child Forum and the Care about the Children Foundation.
Kirstine von Blixen-Finecke took over the assignment as the Mistress of the Robes after Queen Silvia's close friend and mentor Countess Alice Trolle-Wachtmeister.
Baroness von Blixen-Finecke, who started as a lady-in-waiting in 2003, is today the best paid at the Queen's staff. The Mistress of the Robes and her husband, baron Hans von Blixen-Finecke live in a beautiful 230 square meter home on Djurgården. The house is rented from the king who has the right of disposal and decides who gets to rent the accommodation.
The Mistress of the Robes owns also a property in Linköping municipality.
- These women are very suitable for their assignments. I'm not sure that anyone who feels attracted to these jobs has the required capacity, language proficiency, background and personal knowledge. This can't be compared with politically appointed secretaries in ministries and so on. That's a completely different thing, says Lindqvist.
Baroness Christina von Schwerin, a lady-in-waiting
Baroness Christina von Schwerin, 75, is a lady-in-waiting and will always be ready to carry the queen's bags or hang her coat and outerwear. She is also the Queen's friend and controls the royal schedule.
She and her husband live in an Östermalm apartment with a value of approximately SEK 17 million. The baroness also owns a 19-hectare agricultural property in Katrineholm with a house of 390 square meters.
She is married to baron Otto von Schwerin, 77, who in the 1990's was the secretary of the House of Nobility.
Even his sister Louise Lyberg, born von Schwerin, has been a First Lady of the court and worked for Queen Silvia.
Louise Lyberg has answered to some questions:
Is it the status of working for the royal house and the queen?
- Yes, and I was very surprised when I got the question.
Who asked?
- The Marshal of the Realm.
Why only noble women?
- It depends on the right kind of education, and you have to know how to behave.
Herman Lindqvist says that the most senior employees also often know each other.
- The job is based on recommendations from each other and that the Queen has met these people and their relatives before. It's a big network, said Lindqvist.
Then the court feels safe?
- Yes, they are people they trust and know. Most also do this because they think it's fun and it's almost an ideal job.
Expressen has contacted Anna Hamilton, Kirstine von Blixen-Finecke and Christina von Schwerin, via the director of the press department Margareta Thorgren. They have refused of any interviews.
De är adelskvinnorna som jobbar för drottning Silvia
Translation

JR76 · Jul 25, 2018

LadyFinn said:
These are the noble women working for queen silvia

When the royal house calls, the nobility sets up.
The top of the main employees working for Queen Silvia are noble women. The demands are sky high and in addition to great skills, the court also requires loyalty and discretion.
- They are very loyal. They never talk afterwards or smuggle pictures, says historian Herman Lindqvist.
Today, a couple of hundred people work for the Swedish royal house. They are handpicked, carefully checked and have no criminal past.
Most of the women working for queen Silvia are noble women.
That's how it has always been - and Queen Silvia ensures that that tradition lives on.
Historian and journalist Herman Lindqvist, 75, finds it natural to choose women from the nobility:
- Thery are people grown up in the right environment, who know what it's all about and who want to keep up with this, he says.
Head of the Queen's Household is Countess Anna Hamilton, 51.
She has the title First Lady of the Court, she is the head of Queen Silvia's staff and has the highest responsibility for her schedule and program. Anna Hamilton was formerly named Rudbeck and born to a baronial family. Baron is the second highest noble title. When she married count Peter Hamilton she became a countess.
Anna Hamilton has a degree from Stockholm University. She worked previously as information manager at Stockholms Auktionsverk.
Anna and Peter Hamilton live in a 138 square meter apartment at Östermalm worth about SEK 14 million.
Count Hamilton is a member of the Board of Directors in two companies focusing on equity investments and tax advice.
Mistress of the Robes baroness Kirstine von Blixen-Finecke
Anna Hamilton succeeded former First Lady of the Court, baroness Kirstine von Blixen-Finecke, 73, who received the prestigious post as the Mistress of the Robes. It is the finest title at the court after the Marshal of the Realm. The work is to advise the Queen at state visits and other ceremonies. Kirstine von Blixen-Finecke is also in the boards of the World Childhood Foundation, the Global Child Forum and the Care about the Children Foundation.
Kirstine von Blixen-Finecke took over the assignment as the Mistress of the Robes after Queen Silvia's close friend and mentor Countess Alice Trolle-Wachtmeister.
Baroness von Blixen-Finecke, who started as a lady-in-waiting in 2003, is today the best paid at the Queen's staff. The Mistress of the Robes and her husband, baron Hans von Blixen-Finecke live in a beautiful 230 square meter home on Djurgården. The house is rented from the king who has the right of disposal and decides who gets to rent the accommodation.
The Mistress of the Robes owns also a property in Linköping municipality.
- These women are very suitable for their assignments. I'm not sure that anyone who feels attracted to these jobs has the required capacity, language proficiency, background and personal knowledge. This can't be compared with politically appointed secretaries in ministries and so on. That's a completely different thing, says Lindqvist.
Baroness Christina von Schwerin, a lady-in-waiting
Baroness Christina von Schwerin, 75, is a lady-in-waiting and will always be ready to carry the queen's bags or hang her coat and outerwear. She is also the Queen's friend and controls the royal schedule.
She and her husband live in an Östermalm apartment with a value of approximately SEK 17 million. The baroness also owns a 19-hectare agricultural property in Katrineholm with a house of 390 square meters.
She is married to baron Otto von Schwerin, 77, who in the 1990's was the secretary of the House of Nobility.
Even his sister Louise Lyberg, born von Schwerin, has been a First Lady of the court and worked for Queen Silvia.
Louise Lyberg has answered to some questions:
Is it the status of working for the royal house and the queen?
- Yes, and I was very surprised when I got the question.
Who asked?
- The Marshal of the Realm.
Why only noble women?
- It depends on the right kind of education, and you have to know how to behave.
Herman Lindqvist says that the most senior employees also often know each other.
- The job is based on recommendations from each other and that the Queen has met these people and their relatives before. It's a big network, said Lindqvist.
Then the court feels safe?
- Yes, they are people they trust and know. Most also do this because they think it's fun and it's almost an ideal job.
Expressen has contacted Anna Hamilton, Kirstine von Blixen-Finecke and Christina von Schwerin, via the director of the press department Margareta Thorgren. They have refused of any interviews.
De är adelskvinnorna som jobbar för drottning Silvia
Translation

Doesn't Baroness Ebba von Mecklenburg work at the Palace anymore?

Mbruno · Jul 25, 2018

LadyFinn said:
These are the noble women working for queen silvia

When the royal house calls, the nobility sets up.
The top of the main employees working for Queen Silvia are noble women. The demands are sky high and in addition to great skills, the court also requires loyalty and discretion.
- They are very loyal. They never talk afterwards or smuggle pictures, says historian Herman Lindqvist.
Today, a couple of hundred people work for the Swedish royal house. They are handpicked, carefully checked and have no criminal past.
Most of the women working for queen Silvia are noble women.
That's how it has always been - and Queen Silvia ensures that that tradition lives on.
Historian and journalist Herman Lindqvist, 75, finds it natural to choose women from the nobility:
- Thery are people grown up in the right environment, who know what it's all about and who want to keep up with this, he says.
Head of the Queen's Household is Countess Anna Hamilton, 51.
She has the title First Lady of the Court, she is the head of Queen Silvia's staff and has the highest responsibility for her schedule and program. Anna Hamilton was formerly named Rudbeck and born to a baronial family. Baron is the second highest noble title. When she married count Peter Hamilton she became a countess.
Anna Hamilton has a degree from Stockholm University. She worked previously as information manager at Stockholms Auktionsverk.
Anna and Peter Hamilton live in a 138 square meter apartment at Östermalm worth about SEK 14 million.
Count Hamilton is a member of the Board of Directors in two companies focusing on equity investments and tax advice.
Mistress of the Robes baroness Kirstine von Blixen-Finecke
Anna Hamilton succeeded former First Lady of the Court, baroness Kirstine von Blixen-Finecke, 73, who received the prestigious post as the Mistress of the Robes. It is the finest title at the court after the Marshal of the Realm. The work is to advise the Queen at state visits and other ceremonies. Kirstine von Blixen-Finecke is also in the boards of the World Childhood Foundation, the Global Child Forum and the Care about the Children Foundation.
Kirstine von Blixen-Finecke took over the assignment as the Mistress of the Robes after Queen Silvia's close friend and mentor Countess Alice Trolle-Wachtmeister.
Baroness von Blixen-Finecke, who started as a lady-in-waiting in 2003, is today the best paid at the Queen's staff. The Mistress of the Robes and her husband, baron Hans von Blixen-Finecke live in a beautiful 230 square meter home on Djurgården. The house is rented from the king who has the right of disposal and decides who gets to rent the accommodation.
The Mistress of the Robes owns also a property in Linköping municipality.
- These women are very suitable for their assignments. I'm not sure that anyone who feels attracted to these jobs has the required capacity, language proficiency, background and personal knowledge. This can't be compared with politically appointed secretaries in ministries and so on. That's a completely different thing, says Lindqvist.
Baroness Christina von Schwerin, a lady-in-waiting
Baroness Christina von Schwerin, 75, is a lady-in-waiting and will always be ready to carry the queen's bags or hang her coat and outerwear. She is also the Queen's friend and controls the royal schedule.
She and her husband live in an Östermalm apartment with a value of approximately SEK 17 million. The baroness also owns a 19-hectare agricultural property in Katrineholm with a house of 390 square meters.
She is married to baron Otto von Schwerin, 77, who in the 1990's was the secretary of the House of Nobility.
Even his sister Louise Lyberg, born von Schwerin, has been a First Lady of the court and worked for Queen Silvia.
Louise Lyberg has answered to some questions:
Is it the status of working for the royal house and the queen?
- Yes, and I was very surprised when I got the question.
Who asked?
- The Marshal of the Realm.
Why only noble women?
- It depends on the right kind of education, and you have to know how to behave.
Herman Lindqvist says that the most senior employees also often know each other.
- The job is based on recommendations from each other and that the Queen has met these people and their relatives before. It's a big network, said Lindqvist.
Then the court feels safe?
- Yes, they are people they trust and know. Most also do this because they think it's fun and it's almost an ideal job.
Expressen has contacted Anna Hamilton, Kirstine von Blixen-Finecke and Christina von Schwerin, via the director of the press department Margareta Thorgren. They have refused of any interviews.
De är adelskvinnorna som jobbar för drottning Silvia
Translation

Just to stir things up a bit: what does it really mean to be "noble" in Sweden today ?

What I mean is that, as far as I understand, the Swedish nobility is no longer regulated by law or by parliament. Titles of nobility do not appear on legal documents, ID cards or passports, noblemen do not get special honorifics prefixed to their names, and new titles cannot be created. Being a count or a baron, therefore, is in practice the same as being a member of a "private club", which is what the House of Nobility (Riddarhuset) is now legally.

I know it is not quite like that because we are talking about families whose titles may go back hundreds of years and who have a history of service to the Crown and the country. Furthermore, as in other countries like the UK, I know many noble families in Sweden still own large tracts of land and/or have prominent positions in society. Still, the nobility estate in Sweden today doesn't seem to me to have the same social importance or recognition e.g. that the British peerage or the Spanish nobility (especially grandees of Spain) still have.

I would like to hear the comments from the Swedish members of the forum. Thank you !

LadyFinn · Aug 3, 2018

JR76 said:
Doesn't Baroness Ebba von Mecklenburg work at the Palace anymore?

No. I have written previously to this thread that she retired in March 2017. Court florist Claes Carlsson took her duties, he is called "Slottsmästaren", Master of the Palace. Claes Carlsson has worked as the court florist since 2001 and continues in this job too.

The Marshal of the Realm Svante Lindqvist was interviewed in connection of his 70th birthday on 26th April.

Svante Lindqvist: "You must have humor and irony in this job"
The resigning Marshal of the Realm Svante Lindqvist knows what he wants most the whole time. Despite graduated Master of Science in Engineering, he has dared to change his career several times. And soon it's time again - when he has turned 70.
As the Marshal of the Realm and head of the Royal Court, Svante Lindqvist has been one of the king's closest men for almost a decade. Among other things, the office is responsible for staff as well as constitutional issues and contact with the government and the Riksdag.
- We have a wonderful staff with broad skills who are responsible for assisting the royal family in every way, from baptism and weddings to meetings. It's like a microcosm of Sweden and the world. Everything is here, and I enjoy this diversity, he says in his small office, where his predecessors have also been since 1754.
- You must have humor and irony in this job, otherwise it is easy to think that you are remarkable. I am the king's seventh Marshal of the Realm, I'm not irreplaceable. It feels very nice to know that I'm part of a chain. I do my best, then someone else continues.
Have you been involved in any crisis situations?
- Yes, I have, but we are not talking about that. Discretion is a prerequisite for the job. People see events with pomp and circumstance, but my job is mostly about meetings, budget and staff issues. It is not always glamorous, but interesting and important.
Twice a week he meets the king.
- I don't intend to say what we are talking about, but I have respect for the king and the king has a wonderful humor. I am an official and address him His Majesty and he addresses me The Marshal of the Realm.
As head of the Royal Court, Svante Lindqvist has staff responsibility for more than 250 employees.
How are you as a manager?
- I see people and am kind and determined. I like people.
- Dad said I had to do as I wanted, only I went through KTH (Royal Institute of Technology). To my own sons I have said they can do as they please, just not KTH. They are happy with their choices and that is the most important thing in my life - that my children are happy.
After 20 years at KTH, he was asked to build something else, the Nobel Museum. And after ten years he was offered to come to court. One may wonder how he is outside the office.
- Catharina, my wife, would say I'm right stubborn. I know how I want it all the time. You can not even buy a tie for me, I have to do it myself.
What can you tell me more?
- I'm reluctant to my nature, but have learned through the job to be social. It was useful to me. I'm not afraid of conflicts and rarely angry, maybe three times a year. Then I say what I think!
In the end of August is Svante Lindqvist's last day as the Marshal of the Realm. Then a new change takes place, to the Foundation director at Beijers and Walls Foundations.
Is not it time to stop working and enjoy life?
- I do it! In this new job, I can award scholarships to talented abilities, that is to enjoy life. By the way, everybody else in the family works so it would be lonely to just sit at home.
In his spare time, he is driven by creativity.
- I paint or do carpentry, to do something lasting and useful, gives joy and satisfaction. Catharina is working on ceramics and I stand in the room next door and carve old historical furniture. Right now I'm making a punch table. It feels special to create wood. Wood is a fantastic living material.
Svante Lindqvist_ ”Man måste ha humor och ironi i det här jobbet” - Eskilstuna Kuriren

LadyFinn · Aug 9, 2018

Jan Salestrand the new Chief of H.M The King's Military Staff
Lieutenant general Jan Salestrand has today been appointed by the government to be the First adjutant and Chief of H.M The King's Military Staff.
At today's government meeting, it was decided that Jan Salestrand will be the new Chief of H.M The King's Military Staff from October 1, 2018. The staff supports the Head of State and the royal court in defence-related activities.
Jan Salestrand is today the State Secretary at the Ministry of Defence. Lieutenant general Jan Salestrand succeeds the current Chief of Staff General Major Håkan Pettersson. The appointment is valid from 1 October 2018 until 30 September 2023.
Jan Salestrand ny chef för H.M. Konungens stab - Sveriges Kungahus
Translation

Håkan Pettersson (born 1947) has been the Chief of H.M The King's Military Staff since 2007. Jan Salestrand is born in 1954.

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