Sweden's Princess Victoria Visits Texas for Consulate Inauguration

The Crown Princess toured Houston and met with Swedish business leaders and university researchers.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 11:17pm

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Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden kicked off a visit to the United States in Houston, Texas, where she traveled for the inauguration of the new Swedish Consulate General in the city. The Princess attended a barbecue with Swedish business leaders, visited Rice University to meet with professors and students, and is set to continue her trip to Austin and Norfolk, Virginia.

Why it matters

The visit highlights the growing economic and political ties between Sweden and Texas, as well as the Crown Princess's role in strengthening bilateral relations and promoting Swedish companies in the region. It also showcases Victoria's preparation as a future monarch, with a focus on world politics and military developments.

The details

At the consulate inauguration, Crown Princess Victoria was welcomed by Anna Hammarlund Blixt, the Consulate General of Sweden and Head of Mission in Houston, and attended a barbecue alongside Urban Ahlin, Sweden's ambassador to the U.S. She also met with Rickard Blomberg, who owns a barbecue business called 'The Smoking Swede' that honors his Swedish roots. Later, the Princess visited Rice University, where she met with Professor Pernilla Wittung-Stafshede and Assistant Professor Anna-Karin Gustavsson and many of their students.

  • Crown Princess Victoria kicked off her visit to the U.S. in Houston on March 16, 2026.
  • The Swedish Consulate General in Houston opened in September 2025.

The players

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden

The heir apparent to the Swedish throne and a member of the Swedish royal family.

Anna Hammarlund Blixt

The Consulate General of Sweden and Head of Mission in Houston.

Urban Ahlin

Sweden's ambassador to the United States.

Rickard Blomberg

The owner of a barbecue business called 'The Smoking Swede' that honors his Swedish roots.

Pernilla Wittung-Stafshede

A professor at Rice University.

Anna-Karin Gustavsson

An assistant professor at Rice University.

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What they’re saying

“Texas is one of the world's most dynamic economies and an increasingly important market for Swedish companies. The inauguration of Sweden's new Consulate General in Houston is an important step in further strengthening bilateral relations and creating better conditions for Swedish companies to grow and invest in the region.”

— Jan Larsson, CEO of Business Sweden

“Treated Victoria to smoked brisket and ribs, and a jalapeno and cheese sausage.”

— Rickard Blomberg, Owner of 'The Smoking Swede' barbecue business (Svensk Damtidning)

“I think the trip should be seen entirely against the background of her officer training. But also against the background of the world situation – even though the trip was certainly planned before the war broke out in the Middle East. Such trips require many days of preparation.”

— Herman Lindqvist, Royal expert (Svensk Damtidning)

“I also think the trip is to show that she is a serious heir to the throne who is up to date with world politics and military developments. Of course, it also has to do with NATO membership. If we were not in NATO, she would never have been shown the important military base.”

— Herman Lindqvist, Royal expert (Svensk Damtidning)

What’s next

After Houston, Crown Princess Victoria is set to visit Austin, Texas, and then Norfolk, Virginia, where NATO's allied naval forces are headquartered.

The takeaway

The Crown Princess's visit to Texas highlights the growing economic and political ties between Sweden and the United States, as well as her preparation as a future monarch with a focus on world affairs and military developments. The inauguration of the new Swedish Consulate General in Houston is an important step in strengthening these bilateral relations.