From a Commoner to a Queen! Silvia's Difficult Start as a Royal - Two Women Supported Her Back Then.

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Stars (1 / 1) 19.01.2026 09:30 / Simo

Queen Silvia of Sweden - the arduous journey to royal greatness! The glamour came later. In the early years, her new life felt anything but fairytale-like – and she was often alone. Now it becomes clear who really supported Queen Silvia during this time and how difficult her path was. Read the whole story here:

From Commoner to Queen

Silvia Sommerlath was not born royal. Born in Heidelberg, raised between Germany and Brazil, she trained as an interpreter. When she married King Carl Gustaf in 1976, her life changed abruptly. Suddenly, she found herself in a world full of rules, expectations, and traditions – and was instantly thrust into the limelight.

Love, Secrecy, and Sudden Publicity

Silvia and Carl Gustaf first met during the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. What started as a flirtation turned into a relationship that remained a secret for a long time. Silvia even wore wigs to remain unnoticed. The engagement in March 1976 was a relief, but also brought new uncertainties.

A High-Pressure Initiation

Silvia describes the first years at the Swedish court as extremely intense. Barely arrived, she was expected to support the king, take on state duties, and immediately move confidently. Her husband helped her, but he too had not been king for long.