Princess Madeleine of Sweden is settling into a new phase of life since arriving in London three weeks ago. The princess, who shares a Chelsea home with a family friend, is in the UK trying to perfect her already excellent English and, she says “live like a normal girl.”
“I’ve always been very interested in languages, and I felt that I wanted to improve my English a little more,” says the princess in an interview with Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet. “I’ve been (to England) a couple of times before and have always been comfortable... I’ve always wanted to go abroad, to get to know other cultures and try new things.”
Because of the intense interest in her arrival, Madeleine — the younger sister of Crown Princess Victoria — agreed to meet the press yesterday, speaking from the Swedish Embassy in London. And the blonde-haired blue-eyed royal appears to be a normal 19-year old when she greets reporters, dressed casually in a denim jacket and black trousers — only the fact that she must call a press conference to discuss her recent move gives her away. “I had really hoped for a private life in London... I want to speak with the media now, once and for all, so I can have peace and quiet later,” she says. “I’ve felt chased. It’s no fun to have people lying in wait for you at the door of your house.”
In the same interview, Madeleine confesses she doesn’t follow the newspaper reports about her in Sweden, but she does manage to hear rumours through the grapevine. “My friends call sometimes from home and say things like, ‘They’re saying over here that you were at a club until five in the morning, is that true?’,” she says. “And it’s not true most of the time.”
While spending time on her studies and enjoying life in London, Madeleine has also found time to develop her relationship with 19-year-old Pierre Ladow. According to the Swedish periodical Expressen, Madeleine and Pierre – spotted in an embrace last summer in the French Riviera – see each other frequently and seem to have a “fairly serious” relationship. It is said that Madeleine, who is interested in interior architecture, had considered relocating to Florence, Italy, to study design. However, “a boyfriend in London” prompted her to change her mind.
Though the two are often seen in the streets of London together, so far there has been no official acknowledgement of the romance. A Swedish palace spokesperson refused comment, while Pierre’s father, businessman Allan Ladow, also remained mum on the subject: “There isn’t really anything official, and that’s all I can say.”
Many royal watchers would be delighted to see the Swedish beauty, who was linked to PR consultant Matias Trotzig earlier this year, pair up with the equally striking Prince William, as she is only 11 days older than the future king. However, those hopeful for a royal match may be disappointed to discover that the two don’t even know each other. “He seems nice,” she says of the Prince. “I’ve never met him.”
And would the princess consider a permanent move abroad? She admits: “It’s difficult to say... but it’s clear Sweden is my home.”
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
