Princess H.R.H. Victoria, born on July 14, 1977, is far more than a ceremonial figure. At the time of her birth, Sweden’s monarchy followed agnatic succession. However, in 1980, the Succession Act was retroactively made gender-neutral. This allowed Victoria to upgrade to the title of Crown Princess and become heir to the Swedish throne.
On July 14th, yesterday, the Princess celebrated her 48th birthday. While the celebrations were held at Solliden Palace in Öland, her day was also acknowledged internationally.
On social media app X, Sweden’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Alexandra Berg von Linde, posted a tribute which was subsequently shared by the Embassy of Sweden in Pakistan. These gestures mark the importance of diplomatic and strong cultural ties between Sweden and Pakistan.
Happy Birthday to H.R.H. Crown Princess 👑 Victoria of Sweden on her 48th birthday!
An inspiring leader, committed to people, nature and public service, she is currently preparing for her future role as 🇸🇪 Head of State, through officer training with the Swedish Armed Forces. pic.twitter.com/aDVZPP49gt
— Alex Berg von Linde (@SwedenAmbPK) July 14, 2025
Preparing for leadership
As Sweden’s future Head of State, Crown Princess Victoria actively prepares for this role through both military and political training. With a bachelor’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, Victoria brings academic grounding to her focus on crisis management, international aid, and peacebuilding.
She supported these areas through UN initiatives as well. Currently, she is also enrolled in the Swedish Armed Forces’ Officers’ Program to gain practical knowledge.
She is one of about 80 women in her group, making up 28% of cadets and reflecting Sweden’s strong emphasis on gender equality in leadership. Parallel to her military training, she also attends government councils to deepen her understanding of state affairs.
She often also steps in as regent when King Carl XVI Gustaf is away and represents Sweden at official events to promoting Swedish culture and diplomacy.
(@SwedenAmbPK) on X
Championing environmental sustainability
Beyond her royal duties, Crown Princess Victoria is passionate about environmental sustainability and climate action which shapes much of her public work.
From 2016 to 2019, she was appointed by then UN Secretary-General as one of 17 Advocates for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address poverty, inequality, and environmental challenges by 2030. Today, she serves as an Advocate Emerita, focusing on SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).
At the World Ocean Summit, she stressed the urgency of ocean conservation, stating:
“A healthy ocean is not a luxury item. It is a necessity for survival. And taking care of the ocean means taking care of ourselves.”
Her passion goes beyond advocacy, She played a key role in founding the Seafood Business for Ocean Stewardship (SeaBOS) to unite seafood companies and researchers working toward sustainable fishing and ocean protection. Her public role and education have made her a strong voice for global environmental leadership.
Advocating for children’s health and inclusion
Apart from climate advocacy, she didn’t leave the people behind. Crown Princess Victoria is deeply committed to the wellbeing of children and young people in Sweden. In 2010, she established The Crown Princess Couple’s Foundation.
This foundation promotes good health and works to prevent social exclusion. It aims to ensure that every child can grow up confident and hopeful. Additionally, she openly shared her struggles with eating disorder to help reduce the mental health stigma in Sweden. Building on this, since 1997, the Crown Princess Victoria Fund has supported children with disabilities and help them to participate fully in life.
Moreover, Victoria has also been a pioneering advocate for LGBTQ+ rights within the Swedish royal family. In 2020, she and Prince Daniel visited the RFSL which is Sweden’s leading LGBTQ+ organization. This marked the first royal visit to such an organization.
That same year, Victoria opened Stockholm Pride with a speech and emphasized support for LGBTQ+ inclusion. Her efforts earned her the Hetero of the Year award at the 2021 Gaygalan.
All this work makes her a powerful figure for advocacy and positive change. In a world facing instability, climate challenges, and social divides, Victoria stands as a symbol of hope and continuity. Her efforts reflect how monarchy can embrace today’s values of empathy, sustainability, and public engagement.
Noor ul Sabah
Noor ul Sabah is a feminist researcher focused on intersectional approaches to gender, technology, and governance. Her work explores how power and identity shape experiences of violence, migration, and citizenship.
