Princess Madeleine, Chris O'Neill & Family, General News Part 4: February 2021 - April 2025

[iceflower]

Here are some more photos of today's presentation at the "The Art of Beauty and Health" trade fair in Düsseldorf:


** Madeleine & Chris ** rex gallery ** gettyimages gallery ** ppe gallery **

Herzensangelegenheit: Madeleine von Schweden besucht Düsseldorf

Blitzlichtgewitter in den Düsseldorfer Messehallen, als Madeleine von Schweden ankommt. Schon im Vorfeld hatte der Termin der Königstochter für Wirbel gesorgt.

www.bunte.de

Magdalena de Suecia confiesa el conflicto que tuvo con su hija al dar su primer paso fuera del mundo 'royal'

Rodeada de una enorme expectación, la hija de los reyes Carlos Felipe y Suecia ha presentado su marca de belleza 'minLen', cuyo origen tiene mucho que ver con la princesa Leonore, de 11 años

www.hola.com

Article with video:

Prinsessans svar på hudvårdskritiken: ”Inte ett problem”

Prinsessan Madeleine startar eget hudvårdsmärke och kritiken har inte låtit vänta på sig. Under en pressträff på fredagen där serien lanserades gav hon svar. –

www.aftonbladet.se

And another video:

Hoher Besuch: Prinzessin Madeleine sorgt für royalen Flair in Düsseldorf

www.rtl.de

 

[Mbruno]

Chris to Svensk Damtidning:
– I'm super proud of my wife. I'm just here to support her. I've only been to Düsseldorf four or five times before, in connection with the preparations.

Exklusivt för Svensk Dam – Chris avslöjar: ”Nu stöttar jag Madeleine!”

Chris O'Neill är på plats i tyska Düsseldorf för att stötta Madeleines nya beslut. För Svensk Damtidning berättar han om känslorna.

www.svenskdam.se

Madeleine says at Aftonbladet's article:
– A couple of years ago, a decision was made that I would no longer do so many official assignments. It has opened up opportunities for me to do other things and I have been excited to try other things, such as creating my own company. I don't see it being a problem to balance both parts.

Madeleine referred to "creating her own company", so I understand she is saying that she won't be just a spokesperson for this particular line of products, but will be fully involved in management and the commercial side of the business.

I recall a rule from the Swedish Court that members of the Royal House (HRHs) could be on the board of private companies, but they could not have a salaried job in those companies. Is that correct and does this rule also apply to Princess Madeleine?

 

[hereditarytitles]

Chris to Svensk Damtidning:
– I'm super proud of my wife. I'm just here to support her. I've only been to Düsseldorf four or five times before, in connection with the preparations.

Exklusivt för Svensk Dam – Chris avslöjar: ”Nu stöttar jag Madeleine!”

Chris O'Neill är på plats i tyska Düsseldorf för att stötta Madeleines nya beslut. För Svensk Damtidning berättar han om känslorna.

www.svenskdam.se

Madeleine says at Aftonbladet's article:
– A couple of years ago, a decision was made that I would no longer do so many official assignments. It has opened up opportunities for me to do other things and I have been excited to try other things, such as creating my own company. I don't see it being a problem to balance both parts.

Nice that her husband accompanies her and fully supports her in establishing her own business.

 

[moby]

Madeleine referred to "creating her own company", so I understand she is saying that she won't be just a spokesperson for this particular line of products, but will be fully involved in management and the commercial side of the business.

I recall a rule from the Swedish Court that members of the Royal House (HRHs) could be on the board of private companies, but they could not have a salaried job in those companies. Is that correct and does this rule also apply to Princess Madeleine?

It does sound like she is not going to be the face of Weleda but that she will be creating a product line in collaboration with Weleda to come up with a specific brand. The former would mean they pay her for her name and face, she promotes, that's it, whereas the latter means this is a business venture for her, which usually means she has her own investment in the whole project. I wonder how the collabration came about.

 

[hereditarytitles]

I found some information in paper "Rheinische Post"
Messe in Düsseldorf: Prinzessin Madeleine von Schweden steigt in die Schönheitsbranche ein

Princess Madeleine and Weleda have been working intensively on the new product since January 2024. There have been numerous meetings in Arlesheim near Basel, the Weleda headquarters, but also in Düsseldorf,
With their cooperation, Princess Madeleine and Weleda want to counteract a socially worrying development: More and more children and young people today are using cosmetic products at a very early age - but often not the appropriate ones. “As parents, we have a responsibility to help our children make conscious choices when it comes to skincare products,” says the Stockholm-based mother of two daughters and a son.

Maybe Madeleine has been using weleda products for herself and her children and got in touch with the company to present her ideas about creating natural based cosmetics especially for children and young adults. I think she has chosen this company carefully.

 

[Duke of Marmalade]

Weleda is very popular in Germany, I use it myself as there is no animal testing involved, the reason for me to buy this product. Its more expensive than other brands but still affordable.

 

[LadyFinn]

The fact that Weleda became a collaboration partner is thanks to Chris - and his mother's friend.
Weleda's CEO Tina Müller reveals that one day she received a phone call from German fashion designer Uta Raasch, who wanted to set her up with the Swedish princess.
Before the press conference, Chris and Uta Raasch were seen smiling and posing for the cameras together.
After the press conference, Uta Raasch told German magazine Bunte that it was her close friend Eva O'Neill, who told her about Madeleine's idea, and that she immediately thought of Tina Müller and Weleda.
- Madeleine's mother-in-law is a very good friend of mine. When Madeleine had the idea to launch a beauty line, we talked about it, she tells Bunte.

Chris avgörande roll – orden om ”goda fen”

Prinsessan Madeleines make Chris O'Neill spelar en viktig roll när hon nu ger sig in i hudvårdsbranschen. Att det blev Weleda som samarbetspartner är också tack vare Chris – och hans mammas väninna. – Du är vår goda fe, säger prinsessan Madeleine.

www.expressen.se

 

[Prinsara]

“It’s all about who you know?”

 

[Somebody]

Indeed, a recognizable name (or even better: a royal title) and connections is sufficient - no expertise is needed... Just the idea that you would like to do about the same thing as has been done before but now with your name attached to it.

 

[Prinsara]

It was not meant to be a poke at Madeleine so much as mildly marveling that even when one is royal and extantly so, connections still help.

To be fair, some royals seem more thoughtful about their ventures than solely relying on a name — and at the moment she seems to be in the former camp; we’ll see. Was there a comparable amount of fuss when her brother set up shop?

 

[Somebody]

I don't think so - but the situations are not comparable at all. So, I am not sure why that comparison keeps coming up as if Madeleine is treated differently/worse than her brother.

In his case, he had been studying graphic design for 2 years in Sweden (2004-2006; Forsberg School in Stockholm) followed by internships and more courses (Rhode Island School of Design) in the USA, before he started a design company with a friend. So, that was in line with his education/expertise.

In addition, it was more than 10 years ago when he wasn't the next in a growing number of royals essentially marketing themselves (which I don't think was the essence of what he was doing - although being well-known always helps in such endeavors).

 

[Countessmeout]

I don't think so - but the situations are not comparable at all. So, I am not sure why that comparison keeps coming up as if Madeleine is treated differently/worse than her brother.

In his case, he had been studying graphic design for 2 years in Sweden (2004-2006; Forsberg School in Stockholm) followed by internships and more courses (Rhode Island School of Design) in the USA, before he started a design company with a friend. So, that was in line with his education/expertise.

In addition, it was more than 10 years ago when he wasn't the next in a growing number of royals essentially marketing themselves (which I don't think was the essence of what he was doing - although being well-known always helps in such endeavors).

So being the 3rd royal not the 12th to go into business makes it better? What is the cut off?

His education has nothing to do with it. The comparison is a royal going into private business instead of simply royal duties. Plain and simple. Madeleine has a degree in history. Like many people with degrees in history, she had to find work in another field.

 

[Somebody]

So being the 3rd royal not the 12th to go into business makes it better? What is the cut off?

That's not what I was saying. The question was about an issue being discussed. Of course, if there have been many questionable decisions in the recent past where royals trade off their status as members of the royal family, that is going to impact subsequent discussions on a similar case.

His education has nothing to do with it. The comparison is a royal going into private business instead of simply royal duties. Plain and simple. Madeleine has a degree in history. Like many people with degrees in history, she had to find work in another field.

I'd say that his education has everything to do with it. Many royals before her have gone into business but previously in doing so it was not done to first and foremost commercialize yourself as a member of the royal family. The most recent discussion was about Madeleine using her connections and royal status to get into a field she knows nothing about versus her brother establishing a company in an area in which he specialized in.

 

[LadyFinn]

More critic:
DN Debate. “Princess Madeleine should not ally herself with quacksalvers”
Princess Madeleine's choice of the company Weleda as a partner for her controversial skin care line is remarkable. A royal house that has a special relationship with science should not ally itself with an anthroposophical company whose methods lack scientific support, representatives of the Vetenskap och folkbildning (the Swedish Skeptics Association) write.

DN Debatt. ”Prinsessan Madeleine ska inte liera sig med kvacksalvare”

Det finns många anledningar att ifrågasätta prinsessan Madeleines samarbete med det antroposofiska företaget Weleda.

www.dn.se

Expressen about DN's paywall article:
The Court have possibly not fully understood what kind of company Weleda is – and that it should be a matter of time before the royal house stops Madeleine's new skin care brand Minlen. For example, Weleda sells several products intended for children and breastfeeding women that contain fennel, something that is not recommended for children under eleven years of age due to the risk of cancer.
Sven Ove Hansson, professor at the Royal Institute of Technology:
– That you, as a princess, collaborate with a company that sells products that are harmful to children, in violation of medical science and medicine authorities? I can see no other explanation than that you didn't know.
Expressen contacted the Office of the Marshal of the Realm, which refers to its press release last week.

Kravet på kungen: ”Skadligt för barn”

Kungahuset kan inte ha haft ordentlig koll på Weleda när de sa ”ja” till prinsessan Madeleine. Det konstaterar flera svenska forskare. – Att en prinsessa samarbetar med ett företag vars produkter är skadliga för barn? Man kan inte ha vetat, säger Sven Ove Hansson, professor på KTH.

www.expressen.se

​

 

[hereditarytitles]

There have been regular independent studies on the effectiveness of products with the products that best meet the criteria emerging as the test winners. The Weleda brand has been one of these for years. According to a study by the Federal Environment Agency in Germany (see the link) the brand also fulfills many other important requirements to justifiably call itself natural cosmetics. They are also pioneers in complying with supply chain laws and ensure that the products are not made by exploiting people from third world countries.
I find it strange that this company and its products are suddenly being discredited in this way. If Madeleine had chosen any other cosmetics company, would the criticism be just as strong?

https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/sites/default/files/medien/1410/publikationen/2019-01-04_texte_63-2018_csr_fallstudie_kosmetik-weleda.pdf

 

[moby]

More critic:
DN Debate. “Princess Madeleine should not ally herself with quacksalvers”
Princess Madeleine's choice of the company Weleda as a partner for her controversial skin care line is remarkable. A royal house that has a special relationship with science should not ally itself with an anthroposophical company whose methods lack scientific support, representatives of the Vetenskap och folkbildning (the Swedish Skeptics Association) write.

DN Debatt. ”Prinsessan Madeleine ska inte liera sig med kvacksalvare”

Det finns många anledningar att ifrågasätta prinsessan Madeleines samarbete med det antroposofiska företaget Weleda.

www.dn.se

Expressen about DN's paywall article:
The Court have possibly not fully understood what kind of company Weleda is – and that it should be a matter of time before the royal house stops Madeleine's new skin care brand Minlen. For example, Weleda sells several products intended for children and breastfeeding women that contain fennel, something that is not recommended for children under eleven years of age due to the risk of cancer.
Sven Ove Hansson, professor at the Royal Institute of Technology:
– That you, as a princess, collaborate with a company that sells products that are harmful to children, in violation of medical science and medicine authorities? I can see no other explanation than that you didn't know.
Expressen contacted the Office of the Marshal of the Realm, which refers to its press release last week.

Kravet på kungen: ”Skadligt för barn”

Kungahuset kan inte ha haft ordentlig koll på Weleda när de sa ”ja” till prinsessan Madeleine. Det konstaterar flera svenska forskare. – Att en prinsessa samarbetar med ett företag vars produkter är skadliga för barn? Man kan inte ha vetat, säger Sven Ove Hansson, professor på KTH.

www.expressen.se

​

I can't find legit studies that point to fennel being harmful to children. There are a couple on fennel tea and estragole but the results are far from conclusive, some even say negligble.

I looked up the said professor. He is by no means a scientist and has a very interesting profile (from his Wiki):

Sven Ove Hansson (born 1951) is a Swedish philosopher. He is a professor of philosophy and chair of the Department of Philosophy and History of Technology at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm, Sweden. He is an author and scientific skeptic, with a special interest in environmental risk assessment, as well as in decision theory and belief revision.

 

[Silverpot]

There have been regular independent studies on the effectiveness of products with the products that best meet the criteria emerging as the test winners. The Weleda brand has been one of these for years. According to a study by the Federal Environment Agency in Germany (see the link) the brand also fulfills many other important requirements to justifiably call itself natural cosmetics. They are also pioneers in complying with supply chain laws and ensure that the products are not made by exploiting people from third world countries.
I find it strange that this company and its products are suddenly being discredited in this way. If Madeleine had chosen any other cosmetics company, would the criticism be just as strong?

https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/sites/default/files/medien/1410/publikationen/2019-01-04_texte_63-2018_csr_fallstudie_kosmetik-weleda.pdf

Sweden has tougher laws on things like these. For instance, homeopathic and antroposophic medicines are not allowed to be used on children. And in this case Madeleine is taking part in launching a make up and skincare line for children.

So being the 3rd royal not the 12th to go into business makes it better? What is the cut off?

His education has nothing to do with it. The comparison is a royal going into private business instead of simply royal duties. Plain and simple. Madeleine has a degree in history. Like many people with degrees in history, she had to find work in another field.

Carl Philip's company is selling his own products, his art. It's comparable with selling your paintings or sculptures. He's an artist. A very well educated artist in his field.

 

[hereditarytitles]

Sweden has tougher laws on things like these. For instance, homeopathic and antroposophic medicines are not allowed to be used on children. And in this case Madeleine is taking part in launching a make up and skincare line for children.

I think you have to make a distinction. Here, too, there are so-called homeopathic remedies, pills, treatments, etc., an alternative medicine to conventional medicine. The views are controversial.
But this is only about skin care, for children and adolescents. And this skin care was developed on the basis of pure natural products, without animal experiments or other chemical substances. What could be so wrong with that?
This is not about conventional medicine as opposed to homeopathy, but simply about a skin cream for children.
I don't understand all the fuss. I almost feel sorry for Madeleine that she is being attacked like this in her home country.

 

[BriarRose]

Skincare and beauty products are often smeared in the business world as unserious because the industry markets to women and has many female entrepreneurs. Despite being a billion dollar industry.

Weleda is a well known brand that is widely known for their “skin food” moisturizer. The brand has passed all EU regulations, which are the toughest in the global market, IMHO.

From a conflicts perspective, Madeleine isn’t selling services to businesses which necessitate private meetings with Madeleine personally, which can be misinterpreted as access to the royal house. She’s developed a product range that will be sold to individual consumers who want to purchase it. The purchasers won’t be getting one on one private time with Madeleine in the process, nor is anyone required to buy the products. The products won’t be manufactured in Sweden. If the products don’t sell well in Sweden, I do not doubt that Weleda will discontinue selling those products in Sweden. It seems that Madeleine’s introduction to Weleda was entirely personal and unrelated to her parents.

To me, this is manufactured drama rooted in misogyny. If Europe wants a smaller number of working royals, then we have to accept that royal siblings will want to work.

 

[Silverpot]

I think you have to make a distinction. Here, too, there are so-called homeopathic remedies, pills, treatments, etc., an alternative medicine to conventional medicine. The views are controversial.
But this is only about skin care, for children and adolescents. And this skin care was developed on the basis of pure natural products, without animal experiments or other chemical substances. What could be so wrong with that?
This is not about conventional medicine as opposed to homeopathy, but simply about a skin cream for children.
I don't understand all the fuss. I almost feel sorry for Madeleine that she is being attacked like this in her home country.

I was just trying to explain the Professor's reservations. He is obviously very much against alternative medicin. Hence his comments.

 

[sophie25]

How much money do these people need? Madeleine is a rich woman with a rich husband yet now she feels the need to make cash from a skin care range. I will live and die with a fraction of what she has and yet I am content with my life and do not see why so many rich and privileged people cannot be so.

 

[An Ard Ri]

Time to close this thread after 4 years
You can find Part 5 here