King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.Photo: Fredrik SANDBERG / TT NEWS AGENCY/ AFP/Getty
The King of Sweden has spoken out against the country’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic in a rare rebuff.
“I think we have failed,” King Carl XVI Gustaf said in an excerpt of his pre-recorded Christmas interview, which will be broadcast December 21. “A large number have died, and that is terrible.”
Unlike many European countries, Sweden has avoided a full lockdown amid the pandemic, instead relying on voluntary guidelines.
King Carl Gustaf, who is 74, also feared being infected himself: “Lately, it has felt more obvious, it has crept closer and closer. That’s not what you want.”
Princess Estelle, King Carl Gustaf and Princess Victoria of Sweden.Getty
The King’s son, Prince Carl Philip, and daughter-in-law,Princess Sofia,tested positive for COVID-19last month after experiencing flu-like symptoms. The news came shortly after royal family members gathered to mourn Queen Silvia’s brother, Walther Sommerlath, who died on October 23 following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Just weeks later, the couple announced that they areexpecting their third child. Princess Sofia, 36, is said in the official announcement to be “doing well.”
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Prince Albert of Monaco recently spoke to PEOPLE about thelasting effects of COVID-19, after he became the first head of state to test positive for the illness in March.
Describing his initial infection as “a very mild case,” he admitted that he suffered “moments of marked fatigue” long after his diagnosis.
source: people.com
