Svensk Damtidning: “44 hours with Victoria”

This travel report article, following Victoria to Italy, is a translation by me from Svensk Damtidning’s issue nr 9 2009, out through 19-25 February. The original Swedish piece is written by Jenny Alexandersson who was joined by their photographer Charles Hammarsten on the trip.

44 hours with Victoria

Eight changes of clothes, one makeup artist, two cathedrals – and her life’s first award. Svensk Damtidning’s team followed the Crown Princess’ heals during two intense days on sunny Sicily. Here is their report!

THURSDAY

07:36
Crown Princess Victoria steps onboard flight LH 3023. She sits at place 1A and Aide-de-Camp Ingrid von Knorring, Annika Sönnerberg from the Royal Court and a bodyguard takes place next to her. Victoria gets help putting away a nylon bag, a small black purse and the blue bag from the tax-free shop.

14:58
Two quick changes of planes, on in Munich and one in Rome, both time Victoria was fetched in a limousine out on the runway. But then we finally land on Sicily! The welcoming delegation consists of the Italian Ambassador in Stockholm, Anna Della Croce Brigante Colonna, and the Swedish Ambassador in Rome, Anders Bjurner. Great confusion arises when the travel bags are to be collected and squeezed into the awaiting cars.

16:05
Barely an hour later Victoria’s car cortège rolls into Grand Hotel Timeo in Taormina. This is where we’ll live all three nights. Victoria admires the view on the terrace. “When should we meet in the lobby” someone in the group wonders. Victoria diplomatically answers that it depends on when everyone has gotten their rooms. She herself can enjoy a fantastic view over the sea. The security is high as always with police outside the gate and own bodyguards at the hotel.

16:29
The sun slowly sets over the mountains when Victoria and her company are guided through Taormina’s Greek amphitheatre. It starts to rain and a piccolo from the hotel comes running with his arms full of white umbrellas.

20:55
After a bit of rest, unpacking of the bags and a change of clothes, Victoria is ready for the evening’s dinner. The whole company heads to a typical Sicilian restaurant.

FRIDAY

07:30
The Crown Princess gets a breakfast tray up to her room and the morning tea is taken with the volcano Etna as a stunningly beautiful coulisse outside the window.

08:37
The royal cortège quickly rolls down the serpentine roads and out to the motorway. A police escort with flashing blue lights join outside Messina.

09:16
The cars break in outside “Istituto Don Orione”, a center for disabled youth. Victoria is met by applauds.
- Viva princess! A young man shouts and throws air-kisses. Interpreter Diana Mazza sits behind Victoria and whispers in her ear.

10:10
Victoria arrives to Museo Regionale where she will get to see works from the masters Rubens and Caravaggio. Rain starts to lash down, but she just shrugs her shoulders.
-It doesn’t matter that it rains. It makes one grow, she jokes.

11:00
A quick glimpse of the Messina cathedral – and then back to Taormina. Now it’s lunch!

17:18
Victoria has changed to a black silk skirt and evening coat in lace. In one hour she will receive the prestigious Bonino-prize for her contributions in dyslexia. A few minutes later the car rolls off towards Messina.

18:05
Bella! Bella! The people shouts outside the cathedral when the Crown Princess steps inside. Then she sits straight as a pin – without leaning towards the backboard – for two hours.

20:09
- I’m both touched and honoured, she says in her speech. And the Bonino-prize is the first prize I’ve got! The audience is crowding around Victoria, everyone wants to say hello and shake hands. The cathedral’s porter struggles with the heavy wooden gates. But then they open with a bang!

21:03
Back at the hotel. A makeup artist waits for the Crown Princess in the lobby. Now makeup and hair is to be done before its time for gala dinner.
- How long do we need? It will be given time it needs, half an hour, Victoria establishes before they go up to the suite.

21:40
Victoria has changed clothes again. Now she makes an entrance at hotel San Domenico, dressed in one of her “little black”. Here awaits a great Sicilian fish menu, one of the courses it tuna with lemon and olive oil.

01:30
The dinner becomes late. Victoria isn’t back at the hotel until long after midnight.

SATURDAY

08:00
The breakfast host gathers a delicious tray that is carried up to Victoria – as usual she takes her morning tea on her room.

09:06
If ones live this wonderfully one just has to have time for a moment out on the terrace! The Crown Princess leans towards the rail: there behind the clouds is a glimpse of Etna.
- Wow how light it is here! I’m like a Swedish mole that has never seen light before; she says and squints towards Charles Hammarsten’s camera. A few minutes later she sits in the limousine. Now the ride goes up towards Etna’s top.

10:02
The car cortège stops in the middle of the narrow road so that we all can get a proper look at the snow-covered volcano. Victoria takes some pictures with her camera.

10:36
It’s slippery in the steep lava hills and the ice is thick here and there. I’m about to topple downwards in my trainers when a kind police graphs hold of my arm. With the other he catches up Victoria.

11:00
Now we roll into the vineyard Murgo on Etna’s hillside. Victoria gets a warm welcoming from Barone Emmanuele Scampacca del Murgo and his wife. They offer arrancino, the traditional dish with mozzarella, peas and rice.

14:21
Victoria changes clothes. An assistant carries the bags with Sicilian oranges, wines and chocolates that she will get to take home.

16:09
Another Greek amphitheatre gets a royal visit. Victoria picks mandarins straight from the trees.

17:04
A quick stop at Grand Hotel in Syracuse. Time for the day’s third change of clothes! A black suit in lace fits better at the political mingle in the city hall.

17:30
But first a visit to Syracuse’s wonderful cathedral. The altar-screen with Saint Lucia is opened and Victoria gets a miniature to bring home.

18:11
The Crown Princess meets local politicians in the city hall and then it’s time for a chat with us! With Syracuse’s beautiful market square in the background Victoria tells about her days on Sicily. I’m freezing so that I’m shaking, but Victoria is as relaxed as always.

20:00
The working day is over. Two very intense days in Italy have come to an end.

SUNDAY

The Aide-de-Camp helps the Crown Princess to pack the bags. At 13:05 she sits on flight AZ 7110 from, Catania to Milan. She doesn’t land on Arlanda until 19:45. Finally at home!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.