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  • An Image Slideshow

H.M. Queen Silvia


Queen Silvia was born in Heidelberg, Germany, on 23 December 1943. 

She is the daughter of the late Walther Sommerlath and his Brazilian wife Alice, née de Toledo, also deceased. The Queen has two older brothers: Ralf and Walther Sommerlath. Her third brother, Jörg Sommerlath, passed away in 2006.

The Sommerlath family lived in Sao Paulo, Brazil between 1947 and 1957, where Walther Sommerlath held various positions, including President of the Brazilian subsidiary of Swedish company Uddeholm. The family returned to West Germany in 1957. 
 

 

Education and Professional Life

Silvia Renate Sommerlath graduated from high school in Düsseldorf in 1963. Between 1965 and 1969 she studied at the Munich School of Interpreting, majoring in Spanish.

Speaks six languages

After graduating, Silvia worked at the Argentinean Consulate in Munich. In addition to Swedish, The Queen also speaks German, English, French, Spanish and Portuguese.

Work with the Olympic Committee

Silvia worked as a hostess trainer with the Organising Committee for the Munich Olympic Games between 1971 and 1973. She then became Deputy Head of Protocol of the Organising Committee for the Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria.

Family

Silvia Sommerlath met Crown Prince Carl Gustaf at the 1972 Olympic Games. The engagement of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Silvia Renate Sommerlath was announced on 12 March 1976. They were married on 19 June the same year, at Stockholm Cathedral.

Initially the Royal Family lived in an apartment at the Royal Palace of Stockholm. In 1982 they moved to Drottningholm Palace.

Official Duties

Queen Silvia often accompanies King Carl Gustaf on official trips in Sweden and state visits abroad.
She makes regular visits to national and municipal authorities, as well as schools, universities and other educational institutions, in order to gather information.

She frequently participates in anniversary events, openings of conferences and symposia and other official events.

The Queen is a member of the Lutheran Church of Sweden.
 

 
 

The Royal Palace

 

The Royal Palace

The Royal Palace of Stockholm is His Majesty The King's official residence and is also the setting for most of the monarchy's official receptions. [+] More

Haga Palace

 

Haga Palace

Haga Palace is the future home of the Crown Princess Couple. Haga Palace has been a much-used and loved home for the Bernadotte dynasty. [+] More

Drottningholm Palace

 

Drottningholm Palace

The Drottningholm Palace is on UNESCO´s World Heritage list, and has been the present Royal Family's permanent residence. [+] More