Stockholm  - Swedish Crown Princess Victoria is still "hoping for the day" when she can announce her engagement, she said in an interview published Monday.

Royalists and gossip magazine editors alike have been waiting for the day, noting that the princess has been dating Daniel Westling for some six years.

Westling, who operates several fitness centres, turns 35 on Tuesday.

Victoria, 31, told the Stockhom tabloid Expressen she "understood" the interest, adding that she believed "it was good that matters are discussed. But I hope people will trust my judgement concerning the day."

The princess also defended her father, King Carl Gustaf, who according to some accounts has stalled the possible engagement with Westling.

"What is written then becomes a truth, even if it isn't. It's really unfair to daddy," she said.

The interview was conducted on the sidelines of the Paralympics, the Olympic games for athletes with disabilities in Beijing.

Speculation of a possible announcement surged in connection with Victoria's birthday on July 14.

The princess said she had continued her studies in peace and conflict resolution at Uppsala University and was planning her first major official visit to India in October. (dpa)