This year was not what we expected, but the Swedish royals have made the most of it by attending engagements where they could, being on the frontlines of the battle with COVID-19 and partaking in virtual meetings. Let’s take a look at 2020 for the Swedish Royal Family.
January:
The month began with news that Princess Estelle, the daughter of Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel, had been injured in a skiing accident. The Crown Princess also marked 40 years as heir to the throne on the first day of the month.
Victoria and Daniel also spent time with RFSL (Riksförbundet for the rights of homosexuals, bisexuals, transgender people, queer and intersex persons). Victoria also attended a memorial service alongside other royals at Auschwitz-Birkenau on the 75th anniversary of its liberation.
The month concluded with Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel visiting Lund, and Daniel also spent two nights with the Malmö Police Department. Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia attended Sweden’s Sports Gala alongside Prince Daniel.
February:
King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia visited Jokkmokk for Sami National Day. Prince Carl Philip later opened Rally Sweden while Princess Estelle received a foundation in her name.
Crown Princess Victoria welcomed seven-year-old Emilia, who had a brain tumour, to the Royal Palace as part of Princess Madeleine’s patronage Min Stora Dag (My Big Day). New photos were also released of Victoria and her family.
Princess Leonore celebrated her birthday in Florida while Princess Estelle marked her birthday a few days later in Sweden. Princess Sofia also spent time with her charity, Project Playground.
March:
Prince Oscar celebrated his fourth birthday, and the Swedish Royal Family had to cancel events because of COVID-19. As a result, Crown Princess Victoria’s Name Day celebrations were drastically scaled down. Most of the other events were done online, but Crown Princess Victoria did volunteer at the Stockholm City Mission.
April:
Many events remained online, but Prince Carl Philip visited representatives from the restaurant industry to discuss how COVID impacted their businesses. King Carl XVI Gustaf made a televised address to the Swedish people to remind them that they are not alone during the pandemic.
Because of restrictions, the Royal Family could not celebrate Easter with one another. The Royal Court released a video of the family video chatting with each other from Sweden to Florida for the holiday.
A documentary aired on Swedish royal jewels that saw interviews with Queen Silvia and Crown Princess Victoria. They both revealed their favourite jewels. It was later revealed that Princess Sofia had undergone training and was helping coronavirus patients at a Sophiahemmet Hospital. The King also marked his 74th birthday while the Crown Princess Family welcomed a new family member.
May:
Queen Silvia wrote a letter to the elderly at the beginning of the month and later participated in a UN webinar on child safety. Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel had a video meeting with Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway. The King’s sister, Princess Birgitta, said the coronavirus was preventing her from returning home to Sweden.
Prince Carl Philip also celebrated his 41st birthday. Crown Princess Victoria opened Europe’s ECRD2020 conference on rare diseases via video conference. Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar also had the chance to learn about bees. Prince Carl Philip concluded the month by honouring his country’s veterans.
June:
The month began with the King of Sweden being criticised for mocking President Trump in a deleted Instagram post. Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Carl Philip celebrated World Environment Day ahead of new pictures being released of Victoria’s children the day before National Day.
Crown Princess Victoria gave virtual tours of the Stockholm Palace for National Day since the palace couldn’t be opened due to the pandemic. The other family members raised the country’s flag while Princess Madeleine celebrated from her home in Florida. Additional pictures were released of Estelle and Oscar in Sweden’s national costume the same day.
Princess Madeleine celebrated her 38th birthday while the Royal Court marked Victoria and Daniel’s 10th wedding anniversary with many new photos. We also looked back at their wedding day.
July:
The King and Queen gave a prize to the Öland person of the year. Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel also visited a county hospital in Kalmar.
Crown Princess Victoria celebrated her birthday (Victoriadagen) in a scaled back form.
August:
This month it was revealed that the Royal Court was having financial difficulties, and Crown Princess Victoria opened the Stockholm Digital Pride Parade 2020.
Crown Princess Victoria also opened Stockholm Fashion Week and awarded the Stockholm Junior Water Prize via video.
We also learned that Princess Sofia was going to continue working at the Sophiahemmet Hospital through the autumn. Her son, Prince Gabriel, also celebrated his third birthday.
September:
Queen Silvia received the Butterfly Prize, and it was announced that the Royal Family would be visiting each of Sweden’s counties to show their support for tourism. Princess Sofia also revealed in an interview if she ever considered quitting the Royal Family.
Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel attended the season opening of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra at Stockholm’s Concert Hall.
Embed from Getty ImagesCrown Princess Victoria of Sweden took her two children, Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar, to a carpet exhibit at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. Victoria also showed support for the Swedish Cancer Society’s Pink Ribbon Campaign.
October:
Princess Sofia participated in Reach for Change’s digital event, and Prince Carl Philip visited Berga. Crown Princess Victoria also visited the Right to Play organisation. Prince Daniel was unable to accompany Victoria on a trip to Västmanland County due to illness, but he tested negative for COVID.
The King and Queen later participated in a Digital Action Lab. Crown Princess Victoria also spoke on UN Day. She also visited Södermanland County with Prince Daniel while Carl Philip and Sofia travelled to Värmland County.
Princess Estelle joined her grandfather, King Carl XVI Gustaf and mother, Crown Princess Victoria, at the inauguration of the new Slussbron in Stockholm.
November:
Queen Silvia and Crown Princess Victoria attended a digital Global Child Forum meeting. Princess Estelle also learned about her ancestor, Kristina Gyllenstierna. Victoria also marked World Diabetes Day, and the King sent an inspirational message to his people.
It was also revealed that Princess Madeleine and her family would not be able to travel to Sweden for Christmas due to the pandemic. She was able to attend the virtual World Childhood Foundation Gala, as did her mother.
December:
Crown Princess Victoria attended a meeting on the Sustainable Ocean Plan, and the Royal Court updated everyone on Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia’s COVID-19 diagnosis.
King Carl Gustaf sent a video message to this year’s Nobel Laureates since the prize ceremony and gala dinner could not take place this year. Princess Madeleine and her family marked the Second Sunday of Advent.
Someone attempted to break into Haga Palace – the home of the Crown Princess Family, and Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia announced that they are expecting their third child. The Prince Family then released a video to mark the Third Sunday of Advent.
The King later said that his country’s COVID-19 strategy failed. He and the Queen then marked the Fourth Sunday of Advent with a video. Crown Princess Victoria and her family released their annual Christmas video.
Queen Silvia marked her 77th birthday, and the King reflected on past Christmases and spoke of responsibility during his Christmas Day address.
