So if I understand you right, there´s a high chance, that Daniel would get nothing, no order, and no military title...just the title "prince consort" and "Father of the Queen´s children". Strong meat... I know, that we live in the 21st century, and I´m for feminsim, but though it´s a fact, that a lot of men, have problems to be in less powerful positions than their wives... and this is probably already hard enough, when you work in different jobs, but when you´re in the same, and you wife is above you...then it´s obviously for you every single second...
One picture came to my mind: There´s Victoria, bright, stunning, in full "regalia" at a gala...and a few steps behind her-near the corner-stands her husband, the prince consort and suddenly the people start to give him their coats, because they think, that he´s a "hallstand". Well, maybe it´s just me...maybe I should start to rethink...but though I don´t think, that it will become easy for the swedish prince consort...one thing is sure, he has to be a "strong personality" |
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There is a chance that the Crown Princess's future husband gets it, but there is also the chance he doesn't. Quote:
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As the Queen of Sweden, Victoria will hold the highest position in Sweden, as the head of the state, even if only symbolically. She will be the one who probably earns more money, or at least have better access financially than Daniel, even if his gym business is a successful enterprise. She will likely be one of the most important people in Sweden--and no matter how liberal-minded Daniel is, I would think that his ego would take even a little beating in knowing that his wife is more important and powerful than him, in addition to being the "breadwinner" of the family. While I am completely all for Queen power (and the next generation of royals will certainly see lots of Queens holding court), I think Margrethe and Henrik of Denmark are a good (bad?) example of how the imbalance of power can affect a person's sense of self-worth. Whatever one might think of Henrik and his eccentric ways, I think that Henrik's sense of being the third member of his family, only after his wife and his son, speaks volumes. In the future, Daniel could also be in this position, taking a back seat to Victoria and their eldest child. Nobody likes to feel less important than others, and especially not on such a publicly known/aware level. Prince Phillip of Great Britain has also expressed similiar dismay about his role within the Windsor family, and how frustrating it is to know that your wife is more important than you and that you will always be regarded as "less than her." (How did Prince Claus feel as Queen Beatrix' Queen consort? Or perhaps he was not as vocal as the other Queen consorts?) Perhaps the 'inferior-like' views and attitudes of Henrik and Phillip are more related to their generation, and perhaps Daniel might react differently as a modern man. I certainly hope that for his and Victoria's sake he would; it would certainly make his life easier in the long run. |
Very vell said, Alexandria! The life as Prince Consort is indeed a complex one, and one could hope that the future husband of our Crown Princess "takes it as a modern man" - but it will be hard, no matter what century we are in - things are still as it is.
The character and personality of her future husband will have to be very strong. |
Yes, indeed very well said, Alexandria! I guess I have a "twin mind" in Canada. ;)
I´m just wondering about one thing... Does Victoria really want the "modern man" as husband?! Let´s have a look at her choices (Daniel I and Daniel II): both IMO were of the species "protective guy". And when we just talk about Daniel Westling...imo he doesn´t seem to me, as if he would be a very feministic guy...ok, I don´t know his attitude towards feminsim...but my impression (so far) is, that he´s a man, who needs his independence, manly rituals (I talk about his ardor for all kind of sports...competition...the "leftover" of the hunts on the mammoths ;) No, I don´t say, that women don´t watch sports or practise it...but on the whole-though I believe in feminism and though I like soccer-I think that this "crazy enthusiasm" for sports will always belong to the male part of the world population ;) ) and the feeling, that he can protect "his" girl, that he´s the one, who can give her the feeling of confidence... and if such a man (even when he pretends to be modern...yes, even when he says it to himself in the mirror every morning) wants to give up his independence (and maybe dominance) for a role as prince consort..that´s the big question! |
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I mean ... look at it ..... Victoria will be ruler as the next generation of current future rulers are at present babies: the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway ..... Interesting transition period once Victoria becomes Queen; her husband will be 'looked up to' by prospects thinking of becoming Prince Consorts in further years to come. Quite a novel thought !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It wouldn't surprise me if CP V has thought about that ...... and CP Haakon and CP Philip have shown the way of marrying of the country's own. |
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But I do not understand why they cared about that. Maybe they had some free space to fill and did not know what to write. Anyway Daniel W does not stand in a good light after that report! Quote:
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@ Lena: Maybe we share one mind? ;) (Although I don't think it's a really good idea for me to be sharing whatever bit of mind I have left in tact! :P ) Quote:
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if he gets married to Victoria do you think he can be a qoner or do he have to sell to his partner?
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I hope he is allowed to have "his thing". I dont think he would be happy to dedicate his entire life to be prince/king or wathever he´s called....
a part time gym owner is perfect :P But I can see problems in that too. the royal family dont "favour" certain things and places and give them free pr. They´ve already done that with Master training but when (if!) Victoria and Daniel get married its official, and it might not be appropiate that a member of the royal family owns a gym... |
I can´t imagine that he could keep his gym. Think of all the fuss, when it was claimed, that Victoria "worked" as pr-girl for Daniel´s gym. And so far she´s just his girlfriend.
But maybe he could find a task as prince, where he could live out his strong interest for sports. For example as head of an organisation, which "fetch away" teenagers from the streets, and offers them opportunities to do sports. Or maybe he could work as "ambassador" for Olympia. |
Public View of Daniel Westling
I know the King and Queen have accepted and welcomed Daniel as part of Victoria's life but what is the word on the street in Sweden about Daniel's appropriateness or suitability for the role? He strikes me as someone who intensely cares for his privacy (who can blame him) and would find palace life and the life of being the Queen Reageant's consort quite limiting and confining. He never looks all that happy or comfortable when photographed with Victoria when they are out and about. I sympathize with him that it must be annoying, but when I think about how Mary, Letizia, Maxima, etc. have reacted I think its a very different approach. The ladies, while they may not care for it at times, don't seem to scowl as much as Daniel does. Even if they were clenching their teeth beneath the exterior of those pearly white smiles, they still put on a bit of a show. There is something to be said for an individual who doesn't fake his or her feelings but considering the very public role Daniel would be taking on, I think in some cases it is appropriate and even necessary to grin and bear it no matter how you truly felt inside.
Or perhaps do you think that in time Daniel will adjust, adapt and learn to live with the press presence in his life? Mette-Marit is the most recent royal who comes to mind who seemed to despise the press in the beginning of her relationship with Haakon. She, too, often scowled at the press, particularly when they followed her trips to the park with Haakon and her son. But in recent years I think she's gotten better at either hiding her true feelings about the press or just gotten so used to it it doesn't faze her anymore. |
"The word on the street"...an interesting question and hard to answer...maybe the Swedes can say something to it (is Daniel W. a topic in your social circles? And when yes, which opinions do people have)
Hm, I´m not sure if I would still agree, that Daniel is really unhappy with the idea to become a prince. As you can see in the picture above Daniel is posing for the camera...maybe not really happy looking, but he did. And in the beginning of this summer he has started to talk to the press. And has given very cryptic answers on the questions of a reliable swedish journalist (e.g. "Och den dag saker och ting händer så kommer det också att märkas"-"And on the day, on which things/something happen, you/the ppl will note it") It looks as if Daniel has started to enjoy the game with the press. I even wonder if this wasn´t the case from the very beginning. I don´t want to allege that he has/had dishonest motives...but I think that Daniel Westling is far more a guy, who seeks for a challenge and who loves it to socialize with people, than a shy boy from a mini-town in the middle of nowhere. |
My apprehension of the Swedes feelings for Daniel Westling is this: they (or shall I say we) are not jumping with joy about him, but they/we accept him because he is the choice of our Crown Princess (at least this far).
BUT - I think that if Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel decide to marry at one point, Daniel will have an extremely tough time ahead of him. Because once the engagement comes, I expect that the people will have big expectations on him. He will be expected to be what he is not today (his clothes, nicer to the press, more open etc.) quite immediately. So he has a lot to learn if before an announcement like that. Also the way our Crown Princess is must make it even harder for her future husband – she always does a lot of work in the Royal Family and wants to do her best at all times – this means that her husband will have to put in the second half of the work to make them a good working couple. The press will not have much patience, the people maybe a little more – but the expectations will be big. And yes, Daniel Westling is a topic on and off in my circles at least – but maybe not with the most positive comments… For myself, I accept Daniel because I want our Crown Princess to be able to love whomever she chooses and he is now her choice – nothing more, nothing less. |
Thank you for your opinion and your impressions, GrandDuchess.
Hm, I´ve thought the Swedes would feel at least a little bit proud, that Victoria might choose a Swede. But I also see, that his education is a problem...as you´ve said Victoria is a high achiever...and all the politicians, ambassadors and economy people around the Royal family had an first class education. And those people were chosen, because they have the competence to do their job. Daniel would be chosen out of love...actually a wonderful and romantic reason...but he also will be measured with the standards, which are "common" for people in high positions. I also think, that it will be/is harder for Daniel, because he´s a man. Alexandria has said, that the crown princesses seemed nicer, when they met the press (before their weddings)...isn´t it always for a girl "easier" to be nice...or at least it´s more common...the women are the ones, who smile permanently, who hug little kids, who "beam" in the limelight through their elegance, their style...men are more in the background. But I guess it´s not easy to win hearts from the background. You´ve 3 possibilities...1) you stay there and suffer from it that you´re only the "shadow" (maybe you would get credit from the ppl for that...like the late prince Claus from the Netherlands) 2) you try to attract attention (here for a woman it would be easy...buy some exclusive Gucci-gowns, do some charity and smile)...but then it could be that the people would criticize you, because you put the attention away from the real sovereign and because you seem too arrogant, attention-seeking etc. or 3) you find a balance between 1 and 2. I guess number 3 is the best way, but the most difficult to achieve. And if Daniel would be diplomatic and wise enough to do it this way and to try hard is the big question...only time would/will show. |
My image of the Swedes' opinion of Daniel is that the older generation, like my parents and grand parents are not so happy about him. They think "he will bring down the monarchy".
I, on the other hand, am so happy to see Victoria smiling and in love so I really wish that they will get married so that he can continue making her this happy for the rest of her life. And then we have the socialists in Sweden, which is a big group that neither myself or my family is a part of. The newspaper Aftonbladet where Daniel Nyhlén works is a socialist paper. This group is quite happy for this relationship I believe. They like the fact that there might be a working class boy as a prince regnant one day. However, this is just how I belive that people feel. Other Swedes might have a different opinion. |
Thank you for your opinion and impressions too, Cissan.
I should have asked this question long before...I mean we have discussed "Daniel & the press", "Daniel and the people" and "Daniel and the Royal court" a few dozens time, but it´s hard for foreigners to get an real idea, a real "picture"...and there you, the Swedes, are a great help. Maybe Yennie and Josefine can also add, what they think (of course only if you want ;) ) |
Will he be a consort?
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