Prince Daniel turns 50 and is interviewed by SVT’s Carina Bergfeldt.
Here are five highlights from the interview.
1. On always walking behind the Crown Princess:
Prince Daniel has previously said that it is no problem to walk one, two or ten steps behind Crown Princess Victoria and still retain his self-esteem.
– It’s really simple. I know my role. Most people want to hear and see Victoria, and I’m fine with that. I think she is fantastic, he says in the SVT interview.
– I go behind and enjoy and try to contribute, but have no problem seeing my role and my situation in the whole thing.
2. The Divorce Rumors:
In February 2022, a divorce rumor swirled around the crown prince couple – something that the court unusually chose to deny.
– That was a mean and false rumor that we experienced had major consequences. Many friends from different parts of Sweden and also abroad got in touch. It reached some sort of level where we felt that we cannot accept this.
– I don’t think any sane person believes that anymore.
3. About congenital kidney disease:
On May 27, 2009, Prince Daniel underwent a kidney transplant.
Was the prince close to death?
– No, because there is dialysis. But if it doesn’t exist, you die. I was lucky to get my dad’s organ. It was now 14 years ago, I am incredibly grateful for that and have not had any setbacks since.
The prince further says that he does not feel anything today, but notes that he has to take medication every day for “the kidney to thrive”.
4. Carina on the difficulty of getting the interview:
It took a total of 13 years before Carina Bergfeldt got the interview with the prince.
– I started contacting the court about interviewing Prince Daniel before the first season of my talk show. Since then I have continued to call and ask at regular intervals. Finally, the court agreed to an informal meeting. Then one more. And then the prince said yes, says Carina Bergfeldt in an interview with Aftonbladet.
5. The reactions:
Svensk Damtidning’s editor-in-chief Johan T Lindwall gives in SVT’s “Morning Studio” the participation of the prize “five out of five royal crowns”.
– Very open, very private, very unexpected. Skillfully executed, very relaxed. There is a lot of training behind it. To sit in an interview like this and not slip up for such a long time, which Daniel doesn’t, is impressive.
Furthermore, he says that today it is much quieter around the royal house than before.
– Then they have to find the media themselves. This interview would never have taken place ten years ago, because then the mass media interest was so great. Now you have to search for and want these interviews yourself. Then you select the person who will be allowed to do it.