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Sweden

King and Crown Princess of Sweden are seen together for the first time following heir controversy

King Carl XVI Gustaf and Crown Princess Victoria have appeared together in public for the first time since His Majesty received a social media backlash last week over comments made about succession laws.

The King and his heir, together with Queen Silvia, were pictured on Sunday, 8th January taking part in a security conference. This was their first public appearance since SVT released their documentary containing controversial remarks from the King that have made headlines.

The monarch said that it was unfair that his younger son, Carl Philip, was not heir to the throne after a retrospective law came into force months after his birth.  

Despite what has been speculated following those comments, the relationship between father and daughter seems to have been unaffected by the controversy. Their greeting, with a kiss on the cheek, seemed warm and cordial. 

Margareta Thorgren, the chief of communication for the Royal Household, said in an interview with Svenska Dam: “This is not a big deal in the family. It’s an issue in the media that has become very, very magnified. The King and Crown Princess have been working side by side for many years, and the King thinks that the Crown Princess as his successor will be an excellent Head of State for Sweden”. 

Queen Silvia was also seen sporting a big smile in front of the cameras that had gathered to closely watch the first public appearance of her husband and daughter, a sign that any tensions that may have arisen from the comments have already been ironed out in private. 

The three royals took part in a People and Defence National Conference in Sälen, a usual engagement, although nothing has been officially released by the Royal Household about it. 

Plenty will have been discussed behind closed doors away from the cameras, especially considering Sweden has officially requested access to the NATO alliance and is in the process of being voted in. This decision came following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and with the blessing of the King.