La princesse Victoria de Suède - biographie-

Victoria, princesse héritière de Suède, duchesse de Västergötland, est née le 14 juillet 1977 à Stockholm. Elle a été baptisée au palais royal le 27 septembre 1977 et a reçu les prénoms de Victoria Ingrid Alice Désirée.

C'est la fille aînée du roi Carl Gustav de Suède et de la reine Silvia de Suède. Elle a un frère, Carl Philip né en 1979 et une soeur, Madeleine née en 1982.

La princesse réside au château de Drottningholm.

Formation

La princesse a obtenu son baccalauréat en juin 1996. Elle a passé ses vacances d'été à l'étranger afin d'améliorer ses langues étrangères. Elle effectue des voyages en Allemagne et aux USA.

Pendant qu'elle est à l'école, la princesse effectue deux stages: l'un au palais royal de Stockholm et l'autre au musée des antiquités de Stockholm.

En 1996 et 1997, elle passe plusieurs mois en France, à Angers au Centre International D'Études Françaises à the Université Catholique de L'Ouest où elle apprend le français.

A l'automne 1997, la princesse suit un programme spécial afin de connaitre le travail du Parlement et du gouvernement suédois.

En 1998, elle commence ses études à l'université de Yale aux USA où elle étudie la science politique et l'histoire. Pendant qu'elle est aux USA, elle en profite pour faire deux stages à l'ONU à New York en juin et septembre 2002. En 1999, elle fait un stage à l'ambassade de Suède à Washington.

En 2000, elle complète sa formation universitaire avec un cours sur les résolutions de conflit et la construction de la paix.

Swedish Government Offices

In autumn 2001, The Crown Princess followed a study programme at the offices of the Swedish Government. During this time she visited the 'Swedish Style' exhibition in Tokyo and the west coast of the USA in connection with the Nobel Jubilee.

In spring 2002, The Crown Princess completed a study programme at SIDA, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, and spent time in countries such as Uganda and Ethiopia.

During this time she also continued with her official engagements. In autumn 2002 she completed an internship with the Swedish Trade Council in Berlin and Paris.

Basic Military Education

In 2003 The Crown Princess continued her education on Swedish trade and industry with a study and work experience programme in Swedish agriculture and forestry, as well as completing basic military training at SWEDINT (the Swedish Armed Forces International Centre).

In 2004 The Crown Princess participated in a state visit to Iceland , and visited Saudi Arabia and Hungary with official Swedish delegations. She also visited the Rome branch of the UN, made field trips to various companies in Sweden and continued with her official engagement duties.

The Crown Princess also studied at the Swedish National Defence College in Stockholm in 2004, focusing on Political Science, International Relations and Conflict Resolution.

International aid work in Asia

In spring 2005 The Crown Princess travelled extensively, including a trip to Australia in connection with the 'Swedish Style' exhibition, and a trip to Japan to attend the World Exposition in Aichi.

The Crown Princess also travelled to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to study international aid efforts in these countries. In June 2005 she visited Turkey with Thomas Östros, the Swedish Minister for Trade and Industry, in order to promote relations between Sweden and Turkey.

Social Science studies

The Crown Princess began to focus her studies on Social Science in 2005.

Diplomatic studies

In September 2006 the Crown Princess embarked upon the diplomatic programme at the Swedish Foreign Ministry. The programme lasts for one academic year and includes lectures, seminars and group work. The Crown Princess will also be taking field trips to various different authorities and institutions.

The Crown Princess represents The King on official state business when The King is unable to fulfil his duties as Head of State, for example on if he is on state visits abroad.

Official Representation

The Crown Princess takes part in state visits and other official visits such as the opening of the Riksdag (Swedish Parliament), celebration of the Swedish National Day, Nobel festivities and official dinners.

Study programme

She is currently following a comprehensive study programme. The Crown Princess shows great commitment to her official duties and prepares ambitiously for each new task.

International peace-building

Issues surrounding crisis and conflict management - including the international peace-building work of the United Nations - are of particular interest to The Crown Princess.

International aid work

She is also interested in the work of international aid organisations such as SIDA, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, and the Church of Sweden Aid. In 2005, she studied Swedish aid initiatives first hand on location in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

The Crown Princess Victoria Fund

The Crown Princess Victoria Fund supports recreational activities for disabled children and young people, and this work is important to the Crown Princess. Radiohjälpen, the fund-raising branch of the Swedish national TV and radio stations, runs an annual fund-raising drive in aid of the Crown Princess Victoria Fund.

Nature and outdoor activities, including walking and skiing, are among The Crown Princess's favourite pastimes.

She loves spending her summers at Solliden Palace on the island of Öland, where she enjoys helping out with gardening activities and has inherited Queen Victoria's (1862 - 1930) great interest in bee-keeping and production of honey.

The Crown Princess is interested in art and enjoys painting. She is also a great animal lover. Dogs are her favourite animals and she loves to take long walks with her labrador Jambo.