Silvia of Sweden is a role model for future queens, says royal family expert Julia Melchior about the clever woman with a great sense of family.
Queen Silvia of Sweden, 79, is “not only the representative who decorates the kingdom and supports the king,” explains documentary filmmaker and royal family expert Julia Melchior in an interview with spot on news, she also used the stage to get things moving. In addition, the Heidelberg native brought her “strong sense of family with her to the royal family” when she married the Swedish King Carl Gustaf, 77, in 1976.
How this is shown can be seen, among other things, in touching archive recordings in the TV portrait “Silvia. Sweden’s German Queen” (in the ZDF media library). The Queen also personally tells loving family anecdotes in the film. All in all, Silvia is a real role model for the king’s wives, says the royal expert about the woman who is celebrating her 80th birthday tomorrow, Saturday (December 23rd).
Queen Silvia “is a pioneer for the next generation”
A lot has changed in the Swedish royal family with Queen Silvia. For example, it is said that she introduced a new communication style. Would you see it that way too?
Julia Melchior: In a way, yes. In the past, problems in the royal family, whether in Sweden or elsewhere, tended to be swept under the carpet. People didn’t talk about it. Just don’t show any weakness. Silvia is the first to address problems openly. She has dyslexia [Lese-Rechtschreibschwäche, Red.] her children Victoria, 46, and Carl Philip, 44, talked about her daughter Victoria’s anorexia and her mother’s dementia. On the one hand, this makes the family human, but it also has a great signaling effect. If the royal family faces a problem, we can do it too. This open approach has brought the family a lot of sympathy.
Princess Kate, 41, Princess Mary of Denmark, 51, and others also cope with their duties as married royals very well. How easy is it if you weren’t born into a royal family, but actively chose it?
Melchior: These middle-class women made their decision after careful consideration and very consciously. As a result, they also have a great willingness to integrate into the institution that runs the state. This is not a celebrity life for first-person shooters, but they also have to prove themselves useful to the system. This is not so easy. Because there are no requirements for the wife of the king or the future king. You have to define the role yourself.
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Silvia is a pioneer for the next generation. She is a commoner with professional experience who married into royalty and made something of this role. Not only is she the representative who decorates the kingdom and supports the king, but she uses the stage to make things happen. She has set her own agenda and is following through with it. I see Queen Silvia as a modern, thoroughly emancipated woman of her time in a very traditional role.
“Silvia was a key figure in the integration of daughter-in-law Sofia”
How do you experience Silvia and Carl Gustaf as a couple?
Melchior: It is well known that this marriage also had its problems. Still, I see a good couple. The King and Queen have been through a lot together and accomplished a lot. The two also have fun together. I have often heard that the king is very funny. And now I have experienced for myself how funny the queen can be. I think the king also recognizes what his wife has done with her role. And what it means for his office. This is a partner effort. Silvia has never stolen the show. The two do not compete with each other, although all eyes are always on the queen, it is still clear: the king is the head of state, he is the main person.
To what extent did Silvia support her daughter-in-law Sofia, 39, in growing into the royal family?
Melchior: She was a key figure in the integration of Sofia, but also of Prince Daniel, 50. Sofia was quickly welcomed into the royal family’s home. Sofia once said that the queen spontaneously invited her to stay overnight with them and then provided her with an overnight kit. The Queen certainly gives Sofia great credit for her willingness to integrate into the family and the institution. Nobody has to give up on themselves, but anyone who marries in must be clear that they are serving the system. Sofia has already shown commitment before Prince Carl Philip came into her life. She had launched a project to promote and protect children in South Africa. The Queen once said that she had great respect for it.
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Grandmother Silvia: A touching tradition with her grandchildren
In your film you also show Silvia as a grandmother. What is she like as a grandma?
Melchior: When she talks about her grandchildren, you no longer see the queen sitting in front of you, but rather a proud grandmother who talks about her grandchildren with joy and warmth. She told me that she also likes to perform the duties of a grandmother when she has time. Then she picks up the children from school or visits them at home. The quote comes from Queen Silvia: “Grandchildren are the dessert in life that you can simply enjoy.”
And what is the relationship like with your own children?
Melchior: That seems very narrow. The queen told me that they have a lot of fun in the family and can also talk about everything. She also had a close relationship with her parents and her three older brothers. And she brought this strong sense of family with her to the Swedish royal family. Because we know from King Carl Gustaf that he lost his father very early and had a very formal relationship with his mother. The nanny was closer to the children than the mother. He didn’t experience the same warmth as Silvia. The king really learned about family through Silvia.
Queen Silvia celebrates her 80th birthday on December 23rd. What is planned there?
Melchior: There are a number of events and receptions leading up to it to honor the Queen. Queen Silvia recently invited members of her foundations from all over the world to a celebratory concert organized by a music academy to mark her birthday. It is not known what is planned for the birthday itself. But there will definitely be no bombastic celebration or gala evening like the one on the king’s birthday. The big celebrations this year were for his 50th anniversary on the throne and that again shows how she interprets her role: the king is the main character.
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How has your birthday been on the day before Christmas so far?
Melchior: All I know is that thirty years ago she celebrated her 50th birthday with a big party and many other crowned heads. But otherwise the Queen’s birthday on the day before Christmas is always kept private. Of course, the date is a bit thankless to celebrate big.
How does the Swedish royal family celebrate Christmas?
Melchior: Normally the whole family, with children and grandchildren, comes together on December 24th at Drottningholm Palace, the royal couple’s residence. There is a celebration with a small church service and a large presentation of presents.