Prince Gustav and Carina Axelsson, Current Events & Discussion 1: July 2007-Aug 2009

[acdc1]

Sorry, don't know much about her background. Where is she originally from? Do she and Gustav live together, and if they do or don't, where do they live?

It's good that the family has accepted her. I think that's one of the most important aspects of being involved with someone in a royal family.

[H.M. Margrethe]

Originally Posted by acdc1

Sorry, don't know much about her background. Where is she originally from? Do she and Gustav live together, and if they do or don't, where do they live?

It's good that the family has accepted her. I think that's one of the most important aspects of being involved with someone in a royal family.

Carinas parrents is from Mexico and Sweeden but i don´t know wher she was born

She is living together with Gustav at Berleburg palac in Germany.
She has been writing som books for children but it don´t know if she still do that.

[GlitteringTiaras]

Carina is from Santa Cruz, California. She grew up in the mountains and has a life long love for "...European history, decorating, country life..."

Before becoming an author of two children's books, Carina was another model living in Paris. When her career stalled, she went to work for a friend who was a design artist. There she made cards and something else that I cannot think of at the moment.

Some time later, she came up with the idea for a story about a dragon living in Hyde Park. Nigel is the title of the book in which Carina drew all of the cartoons highlighted in the series.


She met Gustav sometime in early 2004 (around January I believe). Soon the couple were quite serious. Carina finally moved in with Gustav at Schloss Berleburg (the castle) in Germany. Billed Bladet reported that the town of Bad Berleburg adores Carina, and that she is active in the local schools as well as restoring parts of the castle. She also has been working to restore the museum and so forth.

Carinas parrents is from Mexico and Sweeden but i don´t know wher she was born

He mother is of Mexican descent (nationality: American), her father is Swedish (though I am not sure if he is an nationalized American citizen.)

She was born in California.

[carlota]

Where is she originally from?

wikipedia says she is originally from southern california, although her surname sounds very scandinavian to me... perhaps she grew up there?


Gustav, Hereditary Prince of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[carlota]

Originally Posted by GlitteringTiaras

Carina is from Santa Cruz, California. She grew up in the mountains and has a life long love for "...European history, decorating, country life..."

Before becoming an author of two children's books, Carina was another model living in Paris. When her career stalled, she went to work for a friend who was a design artist. There she made cards and something else that I cannot think of at the moment.

Some time later, she came up with the idea for a story about a dragon living in Hyde Park. Nigel is the title of the book in which Carina drew all of the cartoons highlighted in the series.


She met Gustav sometime in early 2004 (around January I believe). Soon the couple were quite serious. Carina finally moved in with Gustav atSchloss Berleburg (the castle) in Germany. Billed Bladet reported that the town of Bad Berleburg adores Carina, and that she is active in the local schools as well as restoring parts of the castle. She also has been working to restore the museum and so forth.




He mother is of Mexican descent (nationality: American), her father is Swedish (though I am not sure if he is an nationalized American citizen.) She was born in California.

that's quite an interesting history carina has. i'm sure with all the restoration and the work she is doing in the town, she gained an insight into royal life, i'm sure she will be a good princess....

there doesn't seem to be any scandals out there of her modelling period either.

[acdc1]

She's probably a great girl. I like hearing that she helps out with the schools there!

[GlitteringTiaras]

Here is a short clip of Gustav and Carina along with the rest of the DRF from the recent Gala concert at Tivoli in honor of the late Queen Ingrid.

You will notice the couple towards the end of the program walking behind Princess Benedikte and Prince Richard.

[Stefanie]

What is the latest news about the last will of Gustav´s grandfather? Wonder what Carina´s future might be if there´s no solution. She won´t wait forever to get married, since she´s in her early or mid thirties already...(Somebody who knows her exact date of birth?)

[GlitteringTiaras]

From what I understand the suit in still in the German courts. So far, no reports of any resolution or judgement. Unfortunately, I believe this situation may not be resolved for quite some time.

Whether or not the couple end up getting married, it is clear that Carina is apart of the family. Princess Benedikte has said she "adores" her, and finds her to be the one for her son, Gustav.

As for Carina's age, I believe she is in her early thirties; her exact birthday, I have no idea.

[GlitteringTiaras]

A new photo and here behind Mary from the Fleming christening of Carina and Gustav. I hate her outfit, but nonetheless, they look fantastic together.

Photo orginally found and posted by Lucidu.

More fantastic photos can be found at the beautiful blog, Gekroonde Hoofden. The second photo of Carina is unfortunate, but whatever.



In more Carina and Gustav news, the paper Expressen is claiming that the couple are engaged and will be married soon. Unfortunately, the writer forgot to note that Will is still being dragged through the courts, and until it is finalized there won't be any wedding.

Nonetheless, it's a sweet story with a nice giant photo of a smiling Carina.

[michelleq]

Does anyone when the case will come to court?

[GlitteringTiaras]

I've been following the romance between the couple for awhile now. Even though my German is a hellva lot better than my Danish, my sources and research has come up empty handed.

It seems they, Gustav and his lawyers, are still in litigation. Since this case, as well as other similar cases brought forth by several other German princes who are in the same situation, has no precedent so it may take awhile. Perhaps longer than any of us can imagine.

If any of our German members could elaborate on this case, or one similar regarding other German princes, I would be very grateful.

[BurberryBrit]

I'm sorry, but what is the case about? And what does that have to do with Gustav getting married?

Thanks :)

[GlitteringTiaras]

According to his grandfather's Will, there are various stipulations when it comes marriage.

As we know, Gustav is already the head of the House of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, but if he were to marry and keep all of the goodies that come along with it, he must adhere to his grandfather's wishes. Written sometime prior to (actually I believe I read sometime ago that the Will was written days before his grandfather's death) WWII it notes these conditions for all subsequent heirs:

He must marry a women of noble descent, a Protestant, and of Aryan race (full-blooded). All three. Period, no exceptions.

If he marries a women with none of these qualities he will lose everything, which also includes vast forest lands around and limited too Bad Berleburg and lands outside of Germany. Of course he'll lose the castle, money, and countless priceless artworks, and family heirlooms. Oh and money.

Some well-known German historians noted the Will will essentially stand as is. If this should be the case, Gustav may never marry Carina. But if it can be proved that the Will was drawn up during a time of duress, if the grandfather was seriously ill in which he was not of sound and clear mind, or of the Will was written by urgency or force of another, or pressure from an outside being, communtiy, or source, then Gustav may have a shot.

If he chooses to flip his nose at the whole thing, then he will lose everything (money, castle, land, and so forth), and the next rightful heir to the house will be Count Richard, Princess Alexandra's first born son.

[BurberryBrit]

Originally Posted by GlitteringTiaras

He must marry a women of noble descent, a Protestant, and of Aryan race (full-blooded). All three. Period, no exceptions.

Oh my gosh! What a horrible thing to impose on someone, not knowing who he might fall inlove with. And if I understand correctly, she is part Mexican. Wow, that's really sad. Well, would it be so bad if the spoils passed to his brother? Would anyone know that he was still enjoying the family wealth? I feel so bad for Carina.

Does he work? If so, perhaps he could be able to support his lifestyle that way.

I can understand him writing "must marry a woman of noble descent and Protestant" but the race thing Does Aryan simply mean "white" or a specific group of whites (i.e. not Jewish)? Forgive my ignorance.

[GlitteringTiaras]

We need to remember the time, context, place and situation in which the Will was written (prior to WWII.)

We all know the situation in Germany at the time, so it wasn't that unusal for many German princes (as well as other people -- noble and ordinary) to change their Wills because of the you-know-what attitudes and pressures from others (i.e. masses) even if they knew in their hearts it was the wrong thing to do on all accounts.

We don't know the exact reasons for the grandfather changing it. Sure, we can assume one thing, but unless there is solid evidence (such as a detailed letter stating 'I have done this because...' we may never know.)

One book that I highly recommend, especially to members who do not have access to valuable archives, is Royals and the Reich: The Prices Von Hessen. Read it and it should give one a beginners glimpse of the situation as well as attitudes (besides the Hessens if one reads the text carefully and with a trained eye) of in Germany post-WWI till the end of WWII.

Does Aryan simply mean "white" or a specific group of whites (i.e. not Jewish)? Forgive my ignorance.

Specifically Nordic from what I understand.

[Elspeth]

It's interesting that the German princes had so much control over all this property. It's as though the principalities were their own private playthings. Queen Elizabeth couldn't pull a stunt like that with most of the royal property because it doesn't belong to her; even members of the landed peerage can't just leave their homes to anyone they feel like or make conditions binding on their heirs in their will. In order to leave their stately homes to anyone other than the heir, they'd have to break the entail, and that's pretty well impossible (as the Duke of Marlborough found out when he tried).

In the Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg case, would the title and position of Head of House be forfeit as well, or just the material goods?

[GlitteringTiaras]

In the Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg case, would the title and position of Head of House be forfeit as well, or just the material goods?

Everything, the whole magilla.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but since the Will was written at the beginning height of the Nazi era in Germany, and today German law does not acknowledge the laws implemented (written and so forth) wouldn't that make the Will null and void if this were to be the case? Signed, recognized, and encouraged by The Party wouldn't that be nulled by the German courts?

Do understand what I mean?

[michelleq]

If he is the head of the House of Berleburg, can't he change the house laws since he has already inherited everything?

[Princess Robijn]

Wouldn't his father get everything if he doesn't 'listen' to the will, the father only didn't get it because the grandfather wanted the grandson to have it