Heidelberg - Silvia of Sweden is now an honorary citizen of the university city. At the ceremony, the 79-year-old reveals that she regularly comes to her hometown – even incognito.
Queen Silvia of Sweden (79) received honorary citizenship of the city of Heidelberg on Friday. In the best weather, the queen was in the city in the afternoon with some family members and friends. "It is a great pleasure and honor for me to be honored in this way by my native city of Heidelberg," she said at a ceremony in the town hall.
Queen Silvia becomes honorary citizen of Heidelberg: "We can't imagine a better ambassador"
She has lost her heart to the city, according to the queen, who regularly visits her hometown of Heidelberg – and comes incognito just as regularly, as she now confessed. With a smile, she accepted the highest award of the municipality.
"They tirelessly take care of those who urgently need help and give them a voice," said Mayor Eckart Würzner. "I don't think we can think of a better ambassador than you." With the World Childhood Foundation, which she founded, she stands up for children with extraordinary commitment and a lot of heart. The wife of King Carl XVI Gustaf founded the foundation in 1999, under whose auspices the Childhood Houses, which serve as contact points for abused children. Silvia, a mother of three, also opened such an institution in Heidelberg in 2019.
Silvia of Sweden in Heidelberg: Three-hour boat trip on the Neckar River
In addition to the Lord Mayor's speech, there was also a greeting from Claudius Werwigk, Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Sweden for Baden-Württemberg. Some onlookers were drawn to the sunny afternoon in front of the town hall in Heidelberg. The 79-year-old also wants to stay in the city on Saturday. Among other things, a three-hour boat trip through the Neckar valley on the "MS Königin Silvia" is planned, it said. This is to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the German Swedish Society (DSG), of which Queen Silvia is patron.
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At the same time, this is also a charity event for the benefit of the World Childhood Foundation. At the 1972 Olympic Games, Silvia Sommerlath, who was born in Heidelberg, met the Swedish Crown Prince. The merchant's daughter worked as a VIP hostess at the Summer Games in Munich. Just one year later, the young Swede was to become king of his country. The two fell in love, got married, and have been at the helm of the Kingdom of Sweden ever since. (mko/dpa)