King Carl Gustaf of Sweden (78) and Queen Silvia (80) are known for their down-to-earth demeanor. Royal fan Julia Tretau had a royal encounter with them at Solliden Castle, and shared her experience with BUNTE.de.
Meeting Carl Gustaf of Sweden and Queen Silvia is probably a dream for many royal fans. For Julia Tretau (46) from Lüneburg, Germany, this dream became a reality. The mother of two visited Solliden Palace, the summer residence of the Swedish royal family on the Island of Öland. Tretau was originally just planning to explore the palace gardens, when she unexpectedly encountered the King and Queen. The royal couple was opening the Idea Garden, which this year had the theme “Find joy! A garden for everyone” (“Hitta glädjen! En koloniträdg ård för alla”).
Carl Gustaf of Sweden Opened the Ideas Garden
“It was a coincidence, and we were incredibly lucky to be there. At the right place at the right time, so to speak. A great, unforgettable experience,” Julia Tretau said in an interview with BUNTE.de. The blonde and her husband were unaware that they would meet Carl Gustaf of Sweden. “We had to go through a security check at the entrance, and we were wondering why,” the educational worker recalls. “Until we were told what was about to happen. We were fortunate enough to see the royal couple in person.”
“It was such a relaxed atmosphere without royal distance”
Anyone can understand how excited Julia Tretau must have been. “There were already about 100 happy Swedes in the newly designed Idea Garden, so we joined them,” reveals the Lüneburg native. Then came the big moment: Carl Gustaf of Sweden and Silvia, along with TV gardener John Taylor, opened the beautifully designed “garden for everyone.” “The king had plenty of casual remarks,” remembers Julia Tretau. “We noticed it because the visitors were constantly laughing and applauding. We hardly speak any Swedish,” she adds with a wink. “It was such a relaxed, family atmosphere without any royal distance, simply wonderful! At the end of the inauguration, King Carl Gustaf of Sweden started singing a popular Swedish folk song. All the visitors joined in immediately and sang along loudly. What a wonderful experience.”
Carl Gustaf of Sweden and Silvia: A Down-to-Earth Encounter at Solliden Palace
For many royal fans, meeting King Carl Gustaf of Sweden (78) and Queen Silvia (80) is a dream come true. And for Julia Tretau (46) from Lüneburg, Germany, that dream became a reality. She had the incredible opportunity to meet the Swedish royal couple at their summer residence, Solliden Palace, located on the beautiful island of Öland.
A Chance Encounter in the Idea Garden
Julia, a self-proclaimed Sweden enthusiast, initially planned to simply explore the palace gardens. Little did she know, a special event awaited her. King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia were opening the “Idea Garden,” a beautifully designed space with the theme “Find joy! A garden for everyone” (“Hitta glädjen! En koloniträdg ård för alla”).
“It was a coincidence, and we were extremely lucky to be there,” Julia shared with BUNTE.de. “At the right place at the right time, so to speak. A great, unforgettable experience.”
A Relaxed Atmosphere
Julia and her husband were initially surprised by the security check at the entrance area, but it soon became apparent that something special was about to happen. They were among the 100 Swedes gathered in the newly designed garden, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the royal couple.
“The king had lots of casual sayings up his sleeve,” Julia recalls. “We noticed it because the visitors were constantly laughing and applauding. We hardly speak any Swedish,” she adds with a wink. “It was such a relaxed, family atmosphere without any royal distance, just great.”
Singing Along with the King
Julia describes the encounter as a memorable experience, highlighting the down-to-earth nature of the royal couple. The highlight of the event, she says, was when King Carl Gustaf spontaneously started singing a popular Swedish folk song. The visitors were quick to join in, creating a joyful and inclusive atmosphere.
A Glimpse into Royal Life
Julia Tretau’s story offers a glimpse into the less formal side of royal life, revealing that even monarchs like King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia can enjoy simple pleasures, interacting with ordinary people in a relaxed and approachable manner. This encounter demonstrates the unique appeal of the Swedish royal family and their ability to connect with their people in a genuine and relatable way.
For Julia, the experience at Solliden Palace was more than just a chance encounter; it was a reminder of the power of human connection and the importance of celebrating our shared moments of joy.