But when she spoke, the air changed.
Sweden has a long tradition of providing scholarships and educational opportunities to Cambodian students, with many Cambodians having pursued higher education in Sweden over the years. The Crown Princess's visit reinforced Sweden's commitment to supporting education in Cambodia, with a focus on promoting cultural exchange and people-to-people diplomacy.
While most European royals focus on local charities or European Union affairs, Princess Katherine looked east. She recognized that to help the Cambodian people—specifically the children orphaned by poverty and disease—you must first understand their soul. And the soul of Cambodia is its language.
But that imperfection is the point. Perfection builds walls; only effort builds bridges.