Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden has bravely spoken out about the body image issues she suffered as a teen, in a new documentary surrounding the royal family.
As part of the two-part programme entitled Crown Princess Victoria, 40 years, released in celebration of her milestone birthday, the mother-of-two recalls how her transition into the spotlight at age 18 began to take a toll.
“I wanted all the time to do and be so much more than I realistically could do, or could be,” she says of the demands she placed upon herself.
The royal, 20 at the time, pictured in 1997.
With the quick intervention and support of her parents, King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia, the heir to the throne postponed her attendance at Sweden’s Uppsala University, and instead sought treatment in the US.
“I needed time to sort things out and get my balance back again. I needed to get to know myself, discover where my limits were, not constantly push myself too much,” she explains.
As part of her recovery, Victoria was advised to partake in regular physical activity. And it was here, in a gym in 2002, that she met her future husband, Prince Daniel, who was a personal trainer at the time.
Victoria and Daniel share two young children.
Fast forward to today, and the happily married couple share two beautiful children, daughter Estelle, five, and Oscar, one.
Princess Victoria isn’t the only royal to battle an eating disorder. Princess Diana was long said to be a sufferer of bulimia nervosa and depression.
If you, or anyone you know is showing signs or characteristics of an eating disorder, reach out to The Butterfly Foundation today by calling 1800 33 4673.
