Any way, Princess Madeleine was back in Sweden to spend time with her family as well as to visit her niece, Princess Estelle. Whilst at home she gave an interview addressing the criticism as well as to explain to people what the heck she is doing in New York City. Here is what she had to say:
Princess Madeleine, you have been in Sweden for almost two weeks now, how is it?
Great, I came home in the first place to see my sister’s and Daniel’s daughter, little Estelle, my first niece. But, I also took the opportunity to do some official duties at home, among other things, so I had the opportunity to participate in this year’s second official dinner at the palace along with mom, dad and Daniel.
And, what was it like to meet Princess Estelle?
She is truly a small miracle – that all babies are. It’s incredibly gratifying to have been my aunt, I am so proud and happy on the Victoria and Daniel’s behalf. I do not know how many times I have been to Haga during these days. It has been really hard to tear myself away.
What else have you been doing during your time in Sweden?
I have had several meetings where I have visited the SOS Children’s Villages, MinStoraDag, Brisbane and Save the Children. I have made these visits because of that I want to keep updated and informed about what some other Swedish organizations are doing for underprivileged children in Sweden but also abroad. I think it’s important that we in the various organizations keeps us informed about each other’s work and can support and help each other. I have also had a board meeting of World Childhood Foundation, which is always very interesting and rewarding.
Tell me more about your work with of World Childhood Foundation, what do you actually do there?
I am a project manager at the World Childhood Foundation and work at the World Childhood Foundation’s U.S. office in New York. Right now I’m partly to prepare for a big campaign, but also a charity dinner with a seminar the following day. This will take place in May and we are cooperating, inter alia, with the NASDAQ National Market and a number of other companies. The World Childhood Foundation’s founder – my mother – will attend that event, which I very much look forward. Prior to this and other projects is a busy and very stimulating in the office.
What does spring out otherwise [hence what will you be doing in the coming months]?
Of course I will return to Stockholm for Princess Estelle’s baptism in May. Then I have a project trip to Texas that lies closest scheduled. Charlotte Brandin, who is director of Childhood New York office, and I go there to watch a couple of projects that we hope to support. There I also get the opportunity to meet Laura Bush, who like me has a strong commitment to social issues. There will be an interesting meeting I look forward to.
It’s been a lot of discussion recently about the Princess’s work in New York and on how the stay are paid. Have you been following and reading about the debate?
Yes, it is clear that I have complied with and it’s clear that I take to me what is written. I get sad when it is described as if I live life of luxury and do nothing but shop and hang in restaurants. Secondly, I have my work with the World Childhood Foundation, and I’ll do it for Sweden when I asked. For example, I will participate in the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce Women’s Executive Conference in New York and a memorial service for Raoul Wallenberg in Washington DC. U.S. is an important country for Swedish interests, both economically and culturally. I put more than happy to support and promote this.
And the economy (are you paid? How do you live financially)?
It feels good that the correct information was published in the Royal Court’s website, that when I represent Sweden paid travel and other expenses of the appropriation. Otherwise, I pay for my stay at private expense. And, I obviously do not receive any salary from World Childhood Foundation. It feels like a great privilege to not need it, without being able to work unpaid for vulnerable children and to help to translate my mother’s vision into reality.
Princess has recently announced that you are ‘moving abroad’. How long will you stay in the U.S. instead of Sweden?
During the next year I will continue to live and work in New York. Because I now live in the U.S. instead of in Sweden does not mean that my role as Princess of Sweden is changing, but I will continue to work for Sweden in the USA.
Well, let’s face it… not much was revealed in this fluffy interview, in my opinion.
On March 29, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh visited north London as part of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
