Princess Lilian Farewelled in Stockholm

Princess Lilian, Duchess of Halland was yesterday farewelled in a simple funeral service at the Royal Palace Chapel in Stockholm.

After lying in respite on Friday afternoon, the Princess’s funeral was attended by her closest family and friends. The Swedish Royal Family led the mourners, including Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and Princess Astrid, Mrs Ferner, in the service, which incorporated by Swedish and British psalms and songs, to honour Princess Lilian’s Welsh heritage. Her coffin was adorned with the Swedish flag, Princess Eugenie’s crown and a bouquet of lilies of the valley. A Union Jack stood behind the coffin, borrowed from the British Embassy. It had previously been used at the 1965 funeral of Queen Louise.

The service was led by Lars-Göran Lönnermark, Chaplin of the Royal Court Parish, and was also officiated by Michael Bjerkhagen, Pastor of the Parish, and Priest Nicholas Howe, from the Anglican Episcopal Church. In accordance with Swedish tradition, during the ceremony, Princess Eugenie’s crown was removed from the Princess’s coffin, following the belief that everyone is equal in death. During the service, it was clear to see how much love and respect that Princess Lilian’s family had for her.

A bagpipe performance of Auld Lang Syne heralded the end of the service, at which point members of the Swedish Life Guards stepped up to the Princess’s coffin to carry it from the church. Princess Lilian was buried next to her husband, Prince Bertil, at the Royal Burial Ground at Haga.

Filed under Sweden
Tagged Death, Funeral, Princess Lilian of Sweden.