Mats Granath can’t help sounding like a proud father when he’s shown recently-released pictures of his son Erik taking a walk on the French Riviera with girlfriend Princess Madeleine and her parents, the king and queen of Sweden. “They’re nice photos,” he says.
Those photos, however, which seem to confirm the seriousness of the young couple's relationship, caused something of an uproar with the Swedish public because Erik has a police record. As a result, the royal family’s press office has released a statement confirming that he has been welcomed by the Swedish royals.
“Some years ago, in his adolescence, Erik Granath went though a difficult period and was under a lot of pressure,” it said. “Now, he is conscious of what he did, and he is deeply sorry.” It added that Erik has been accepted by the king and queen, although at first it was difficult for them to understand that their daughter was developing a friendship with someone who had been on the wrong side of the law.
Until now, Mats, who calls Madeleine a “charming girl”, had refused to comment on the relationship, respecting the wishes of the photogenic young couple. But after the Easter holiday shots emerged, he decided to talk to the Swedish newspaper Expressen. “I haven't said anything before,” he says. “But… I think it's fantastic that Erik is with such a marvellous person.”
Mats says it has been an “immense pleasure” to have Madeleine as a house guest in the past. During one of her stays, the popular princess, who recently left her temporary home in London because she felt overwhelmed by the press, revealed her feelings on the attention she gets in the tabloids.
“We chatted a lot and I could see how sad she was when the newspapers printed rumours,” Mats says. “She’s an absolutely charming girl.” Erik left the family home in Gotland seven years ago to settle in Sweden’s capital city, but still telephones his father, the head of a construction company, daily. “My son had some tough times for a while,” he adds, referring to his son’s police record for possession of narcotics and driving under the influence, and to the tragic 1999 death of Erik’s mother. “But right now he has a normal life in Stockholm. It makes me happy that things are going well for him.” “He had a wonderful time at Easter,” he adds. “It’s great down there in France, with such good weather.”
Photo: © Alphapress.com
The royal family acknowledged, after Madeleine and her boyfriend Erik Granath were photographed with the king and queen on holiday in France, that they have accepted the princess' "close friend" despite his police record. Says a spokeswoman: "He is conscious of what he did, and he is deeply sorry"
Photo: © Alphapress.com
The trip isn't the first time Madeleine has enjoyed fun in the sun on the French Riviera, but it was the first time Erik has been seen publicly with the king and queen
Photo: © Alphapress.com
“My son had some tough times for a while,” says Erik’s father, referring to his son’s police record and the tragic 1999 death of Erik’s mother. “But right now he has a normal life”
