Queen Silvia of Sweden on Monday made an official visit to the western German city of Dusseldorf, where she attended secondary school.
The 82-year-old monarch was received by Hendrik Wüst, the premier of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, who highlighted Silvia’s commitment to social causes.
“With great empathy, leadership and international influence, she works tirelessly on behalf of the most vulnerable in our society – particularly children who have been victims of violence and abuse,” Wüst said.
Later in the evening, Queen Silvia will be honoured for her life’s work at the “Dusseldorfer of the Year” gala.
At the event, organized by the Rheinische Post newspaper, she will be recognized for her role as founder and honorary chair of the World Childhood Foundation.
Silvia, who was born to a German father and a Brazilian mother, co-founded the organization in 1999. The group has established sites worldwide that offer protection and a voice to vulnerable children, including the Childhood House in Dusseldorf.
The queen has a special connection to Dusseldorf. After her family moved to the city there from Brazil in 1957, she graduated from the Luisen Gymnasium school in 1963.
In 1972, while working as a hostess at the Olympic Games in Munich, Silvia met her future husband, the current King Carl Gustaf of Sweden.
In June, the royal couple will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.
Following the meeting at the state chancellery, the queen was due to visit the Childhood House, which supports children and young people who have experienced sexual abuse or serious physical violence.