Some years ago, the Crown Princess decided to visit all of Sweden's 30 national parks.
On Thursday, number seven was checked off, Norra Kvill in Småland's Vimmerby.
I had a hope that I would have a higher tempo in visiting national parks in Sweden, she says to TT.
She says it's important to spend time outdoors.
I'm the kind of person who must get out to breathe and to think better, simply, and feel better.
"A place to gather strength"
Even privately, the Crown Princess tries to get away, even though it's a constant struggle to get out into nature.
It's definitely a place to gather strength. I run a bit and, of course, exercise is part of it, but getting to do it outdoors, that's what gives me the most, she says and continues.
And when I don't get to do it, then I feel an increased stress from time running away from me.
Usually, it's no big problem to get the family out.
There might be some grumbling beforehand, but when you finally get out, there are no problems. It's good that we have a dog. The dog needs to go out. But then I also think that everyone feels good and becomes happy.
She has a few tips on how to get children and young people out into nature:
I believe in a good picnic basket and having some intermediate goals. When it comes to monotonous walks, at home in a park, we always bring a tennis ball and play a bit - it usually takes away the monotony and becomes a competitive element that moves you forward. So, it's some simple tricks, says the Crown Princess.
"A real concern"
In Norra Kvill, you can see large trees that have been felled in storms like Gudrun and Per. A reminder of the impact that bad weather can have on nature. Climate changes can lead to worse storms, although climate models don't give unequivocal answers for the Swedish part.
It's a real concern for me that climate changes will affect many people. They will give us increased costs. And they will, of course, have negative consequences for the climate overall and the balance that is so enormously important.
During the Crown Princess's landscape tour in 2017-2019, where she hiked in all landscapes, the idea arose to visit all of Sweden's 30 national parks.
So far, she has visited Färnebofjärden (February 2022), Garphyttan (April 2022), Sonfjället (April 2023), Ängsö (June 2023), Tiveden (September 2023), Store Mosse (April 2024), and Norra Kvill (May 2025).
Source: The Royal Court
