Queen Silvia has awarded scholarships for a cause close to her heart – dementia.
Queen Silvia of Sweden handed out scholarships from King Gustaf V’s and Queen Victoria’s Masonic Foundation for research for the elderly on 24 March. During the ceremony, Queen Silvia awarded scholarships to 19 researchers in geriatrics, and the award money will go toward further research in this field.
The ceremony took place at Bååtska Palace in downtown Stockholm. Bååtska Palace was built between 1662 and 1669 for the National Treasurer, Seved Bååth. The palace has been the ancestral home of the Swedish Masonic Order since 1874.
King Gustaf V’s and Queen Victoria’s Masonic Foundation was founded in 1911 and supports scientific research for the elderly in three main areas: degenerative brain diseases, cardiovascular diseases and nursing research. Queen Silvia is their patron.
During the award ceremony, Associate Professor Stina Syvänen presented a lecture on antibody-based PET (positron emission tomography) in Alzheimer’s disease. PET is an imaging technique used to study the processes and functions of various organs and areas in the body.
For many decades, Queen Silvia has been strongly involved in the fight against dementia. This is a matter that is close to the Queen’s heart as her mother, Alice Sommerlath, suffered from the disease. Princess Madeleine, the Queen’s daughter, has also become involved in her mother’s fight to defeat dementia.