Princess Sofia speaks openly in a new TV documentary about the difficulties as a woman at the side of Prince Carl Philip.
Sofia Hellqvist faced many prejudices after the Swedish court announced her love affair with Prince Carl Philip, 41, in July 2010. As an ex-bikini model and a former participant in the reality TV show "Paradise Hotel", she didn't seem like the best cast as a princess and thus offered the public plenty of open ground. In the new TV documentary "Princess Sofia – Project Playground" Sofia speaks openly with journalist Renée Nyberg about this dark side of her life.
Princess Sofia gives an honest interview
"The hardest part was meeting all expectations. People judged me harshly from the outside. It was as if they wanted to see things negatively. No matter how hard I tried, it didn't seem to be enough," says Sofia. "It influenced me a lot. I didn't understand that people felt so much hatred."
One rumor hurts the 35-year-old in particular: that her commitment to "Project Playground" did not come from her, but from the royal family with the aim of improving Sofia's reputation.
That broke the heart
revealed Sofia in the TV documentary. The reporter wants to know whether she got help back then and was able to talk to someone. "Yes, especially with my family, and of course with Carl Philip, otherwise it wouldn't have worked. We are good at talking to each other," replies Sofia.
The prince also speaks out in the documentary. About the prejudices against Sofia at the time, he says: "It was so unfair." He did not expect Sofia to be welcomed with open arms by everyone, but "Not at this level. I thought there would be more understanding and acceptance." It was difficult for him to just watch and not be able to help his girlfriend, he suggests.
Today, ten years later, Sofia has become a respected member of the royal family and has taken the wind out of the sails of its critics.
Sofia and Project Playground
Project Playground is a fundraising foundation that works to improve the life chances of children and young people through development-stimulating activities, psychosocial support and work that strengthens families. Project Playground has been operating in the South African Shantytowns since 2010 and in Hallonbergen in Sweden since 2016.
"Princess Sofia – Project Playground" will be broadcast on TV4 and TV4 Play on Thursday 3rd September at 9:00 pm. Sofia speaks about her personal commitment to affected children, her own thoughts on parenting and life in public.
Sources used: Dana Press, press.tv4.se
This article originally appeared on Gala.de.