Royalty and the Swine Flu

With global concern spreading over the H1N1 virus, better known as the swine flu, even royal families are not exempt from it. Recent reports from Scandinavia reveal how royalty from Sweden and Norway are protecting themselves from the illness.

REUTERS/Bob Strong/FILE

Since the swine flu vaccine is being given mostly to those considered to be “at-risk”, that would include Daniel Westling, the fiance to Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria. He is in this category because of his kidney transplant back in May. The Swedish Royal Court admitted that Westling received the vaccine, but not the rest of the royal family.

Royal Court spokeswoman Nina Eldh admitted to the Swedish media that King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia have expressed their wishes to be vaccinated. But that won’t be happening for another several weeks.

However, next door to the House of Bernadotte, the Norwegian royal family have already received the swine flu vaccinations. That includes King Harald V, Queen Sonja and the Crown Princely couple. It is not known why this family got the vaccine so soon, especially since the royals are not considered to be at-risk. But it may have to do with King Harald V, who has had heart problems in recent years. Whether that constitutes as being part of the high risk group is not well known.

If any other royalty is vaccinated from the swine flu, I will keep you posted.