Swedish princess offers advice to Mary
March 17, 2005 - 8:55PM
Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria praised Denmark's Australian-born Crown Princess Mary for "wonderful" work in her new role and advised her to always be herself.
Victoria has been in Australia for a week, promoting cultural and business links between Sweden and Australia.
She arrived just as Tasmanian-born Mary and her husband, Crown Prince Frederik, wound down their official duties in their own Australian tour.
Princess Victoria, who was born into royalty, said she admired how Mary had adapted to her new role.
"It's very difficult to just be thrown into this position (with the) expectations that are put on you," the 27-year-old told reporters in Sydney.
"(Mary) is doing wonderfully and I'm quite sure that (Australians') support during her trip will help her to a great extent."
Asked if she had any advice from one princess to another, Victoria said Mary should be herself and "try to find balance in life which is hard sometimes for all of us".
The Swedish princess, who battled an eating disorder five years ago, revealed how she had struggled to cope in the limelight.
"It's been quite hard to find a balance ... (and keep focused on) who you are when you want to do so many things," Princess Victoria said.
"Living up to people's expectations is one thing but it was even harder to live up to my own expectations.
"But you learn, hopefully."
The Swedish princess, who has met Mary twice, said she had not visited the Slip Inn bar in Sydney where the Danish royal couple met, and said she was yet to meet a "special" Australian.
"I've met many beautiful and wonderful people and I've met very interesting people as well, but not in that way," she said.
It is widely known the princess has been involved with Stockholm gym owner Daniel Westing for three years.
Dressed on Thursday in a knee-length mauve dress emblazoned with cream flowers, she told reporters she was impressed with Australia and hoped to visit "privately" soon.
"I'm having fun. It's not only obligations," Princess Victoria said.
"It's a way to see what Australia has to offer - a funny way maybe, not the usual - but I get to see a lot."
She said she had high hopes that Swedish Style - the promotion of the country's design, fashion and food in Australia - would strengthen relationships between the nations.
Victoria is in training for her eventual succession to the throne, taking advice from role models and parents wherever possible.
"There's no such thing as a school of queens so it's difficult," the princess said.
"I try to learn as much as possible about so many different things in order to be able to talk to everyone."
"It's tough work but I think it's like any work actually."
Princess Victoria wraps up her Australian tour after lunching with Governor-General Michael Jeffery on Friday.
© 2005 AAP
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