Recently, I read a book written by Count Folke Bernadotte, world famous diplomat and member of Sweden's Royal Family. In one part, he mentioned that he went to Belgium for a conference in 1946. The subject of Astrid was then brought up:
"What I remember most about this journey is the way in
which the name of Queen Astrid is still so much alive
among the Belgian people. As a Swede, this gave me a
feeling of happiness and pride. I knew her very well
as a little girl in Sweden. I remember her as a very
shy and reserved young girl. It is quite amazing that
from the moment she came to her new country, she could
show such an unusual capacity for winning the hearts
of the Belgian people through her charm and kindness.
I, for my part, do not think it improbable that if she
had lived, she could, through her winning personality,
have prevented the Belgian royal problem from becoming
so acute and from reaching such a precarious state as
was the case. Queen Astrid was truly popular in the
best sense of the word. This young woman's deeds are
proof of what a person full of goodness and with a
genuine desire to do her best can accomplish. It is
also undoubtedly due to her that the Belgian people
think so highly of Sweden today. The Swedish people
have every reason to be very grateful to her for what
she has done: her services benefited not only the
Belgian people but also her own country."
From the book "Instead of Arms".
