Death and Funeral of Princess Birgitta: December 2024

[LadyFinn]

Princess Birgitta, 87, passed away today in Mallorca.

The King's statement:
- With great sadness I received today the news that my sister, Princess Birgitta, has passed away. My sister was a colorful and forthright person who will be deeply missed by me and my family. Together with my entire family, today I send my condolences to Princess Birgitta's children and grandchildren.
H. M. The king has decided on flags flying at half-mast at Drottningholm Palace and Haga Palace on Thursday, December 5.
Funeral
Princess Birgitta will rest at the Royal Cemetery in Haga Park, according to the Princess' wishes. The burial takes place in the circle of the Princess's family.
Additional information regarding Princess Birgitta's funeral will be provided at a later date.

H.K.H. Prinsessan Birgitta har avlidit

H.M. Konungens syster, H.K.H. Prinsessan Birgitta, avled på Mallorca onsdagen den 4 december 2024 i en ålder av 87 år.

www.kungahuset.se

Prinsessan Birgitta Ingeborg Alice 1937–2024

H.K.H. Prinsessan Birgitta har avlidit den 4 december 2024 i en ålder av 87 år.

www.kungahuset.se

Uttalande av H.M. Konungen med anledning av H.K.H. Prinsessan Birgittas bortgång

Med anledning av Prinsessan Birgittas bortgång gör Kungen följande uttalande:

www.kungahuset.se

Communiqué from H.E. The Marshal of the Realm:

Kommuniké från H.E. Riksmarskalken

Hennes Kungl. Höghet Prinsessan Birgitta har i dag, den 4 december 2024, lugnt och stilla avlidit på Mallorca.

www.kungahuset.se

Birgitta was one of my favourite royals.

Kungens syster prinsessan Birgitta är död

Kungens syster prinsessan Birgitta är död, meddelar Kungahuset. Hon dog i dag på Mallorca, 87 år gammal. – Med stor sorg har jag i dag tagit emot beskedet, säge

www.aftonbladet.se

JUST NU: Birgitta är död – kungens sorg efter systern

Prinsessan Birgitta är död, 87 år. Hon avled på Mallorca under onsdagen. – Med stor sorg har jag i dag tagit emot beskedet att min syster, prinsessan Birgitta, har avlidit, säger kungen i ett uttalande.

www.expressen.se

Prinsessan Birgitta är död

Kungens sorg: ”Kommer saknas djupt”

www.tv4.se

 

[Blog Real]

My condolences to the entire Swedish Royal Family.

SVT will broadcast a special broadcast about Princess Birgitta today.

Prinsessan Birgitta är död

Prinsessan Birgitta är död, meddelar hovet. Hon blev 87 år. – Min syster var en färgstark och rättfram person som kommer att saknas djupt av mig och min familj, säger kungen om sin syster.

www.svt.se

 

[Hans-Rickard]

I am shocked… I was not prepared for that news…

I knew she had some health issues, but not to the point that i thought she was going to pass away anytime soon…

My deepest condolences to her family and friends

May you Rest in peace and Rise in glory

 

[Adda]

May she rest in peace. I feel for her children, grandchildren, and her siblings.

The first of the four Haga Princesses to leave...

 

[An Ard Ri]

How terribly sad
Rest in peace Princess Birgitta!

 

[suztav]

I wonder if this will at all adjust the RF's attendance at next week's Nobel Prize festivities? It's usually such a joyous occasion ... although Princess Birgitta marched to her own tune and didn't seem to be bound to strict rules.

May her memory be a blessing to her family.

 

[Hans-Rickard]

I wonder if this will at all adjust the RF's attendance at next week's Nobel Prize festivities? It's usually such a joyous occasion ... although Princess Birgitta marched to her own tune and didn't seem to be bound to strict rules.

May her memory be a blessing to her family.

We shall see what happens but i don’t think it will cancel their participation…

When Princess Sibylla passed away in 1972, the funeral was held on 7 December, only 3 days before the nobel… Due to court mourning (wich has not been proclaimed now, likely in accordance with Birgittas own wish), the Royal Family only attended the Award Ceremony but not the Banquet.

I think we will see the royal ladies dressed in black or dark colours as a mark of respect, but apart from that i doubt there will be much difference.

 

[crm2317]

Gosh how terribly sad. She always seemed to be such an interesting person!

 

[Minister of Court]

Shocking news indeed! I always thought Birgitta would outlive us all.

She was a true character. May Her Royal Highness rest in peace.

 

[Stefan]

We shall see what happens but i don’t think it will cancel their participation…

When Princess Sibylla passed away in 1972, the funeral was held on 7 December, only 3 days before the nobel… Due to court mourning (wich has not been proclaimed now, likely in accordance with Birgittas own wish), the Royal Family only attended the Award Ceremony but not the Banquet.

I think we will see the royal ladies dressed in black or dark colours as a mark of respect, but apart from that i doubt there will be any difference.

Howe did they do it in 1907 when King Oscar II. passed away 2 days before? But i think Nobel wasn't such a big event back then .

 

[Hans-Rickard]

Howe did they do it in 1907 when King Oscar II. passed away 2 days before? But i think Nobel wasn't such a big event back then .

The banquet was cancelled and only a heavily toned down prize award ceremony was held.

Rudyard Kipling was the litterature-laureate that year btw

 

[LadyFinn]

I wonder if this will at all adjust the RF's attendance at next week's Nobel Prize festivities? It's usually such a joyous occasion ... although Princess Birgitta marched to her own tune and didn't seem to be bound to strict rules.

May her memory be a blessing to her family.

In connection with the royal family receiving the news, a decision was made that Queen Silvia would not participate in a museum opening.
- It was the opening of the exhibition "Prized Craft" at the City Museum. The queen is very sad, but with this announcement, the queen chose to see the exhibition at a later date, says Margareta Thorgren.
Even going forward, several members of the royal family have a busy schedule.
This weekend is the Nobel concert, where the King and Queen will attend. On Tuesday, the Nobel Banquet will be held - then the King, Queen, Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel, Prince Carl Philip, Princess Sofia, Princess Madeleine and Chris O'Neill are expected to be present.
The idea is that all program items in the royal family's calendar should remain as planned.
- There is a lot happening next week, above all with Nobel. It is supposed to progress like this. If there is any change, you see the changes in the calendar, says Thorgren.

Drottningen ställer in evenemang

Drottning Silvia har ställt in sin närvaro vid en invigning efter beskedet om prinsessan Birgittas bortgång. I övrigt är tanken att kommande evenemang ska genomföras som planerat. – Det är väldigt mycket som händer nästa vecka, framför allt med Nobel, säger hovets informationschef Margareta...

www.expressen.se

 

[duke of poliganc]

Such a terrible news may she rest in peace

I think when Princess Lillian passed away there was a state visit days after that and the ladies wore black to the state banquet, I am sure they will do the same for Nobel events!

Did the palace announce an official period of mourning for the court?

 

[JR76]

One wonder what the journalists at Svensk Damtidning will do with their time now that they can't fill it calling Mallorca all the time.

 

[Hans-Rickard]

Such a terrible news may she rest in peace

I think when Princess Lillian passed away there was a state visit days after that and the ladies wore black to the state banquet, I am sure they will do the same for Nobel events!

Did the palace announce an official period of mourning for the court?

Yes, the then turkish president Abdullah Gül and his wife paid a state visit to Sweden 11-13 March 2013… Princess Lilian passed away on 10 March, and the decision was taken to go ahead with the state visit but to wear black clothes.

There is no court mourning announced… Likely at Princess Birgittas own request.

 

[Snowangel]

Rest in peace Princess Birgitta

 

[Moonmaiden23]

I had no idea that the princess had reached the age of 87 years!

Her voluminous tulle bridal veil is one of my Royal favorites.

Condolences to the SRF. RIP princess

 

[Marengo]

Sad news indeed, the first one of her siblings to go. Is the cause-of-death known?

 

[MAfan]

That's quite and unexpected sad news.
May she rest in peace.

 

[LadyFinn]

Sad news indeed, the first one of her siblings to go. Is the cause-of-death known?

The former Swedish tennis star Ulf Schmidt was one of Princess Birgitta's closest friends.
They had known each other for 30 years. Schmidt has spoken to a person close to Birgitta about her passing.
- He said that it happened that she came to the hospital and then she died. She had broken her arm, he said. And then she died. It is strange.
Schmidt is shaken by the loss. They used to call each other regularly, often just to check that the other was okay.
- I am shocked. I had no idea, no clue that there was any trouble. (..)

Vännen: Birgitta bröt armen – dog på sjukhus

Prinsessan Birgitta åkte till sjukhuset på Mallorca med bruten arm. Där gick hon bort, uppger nära vännen Ulf Schmidt, 90. – Jag är i chock. Hon var en riktigt härlig tjej, säger den svenska tennisstjärnan.

www.expressen.se

(..)

Those who are interested, SVT play has now the documentary of Birgitta in 2022 again to watch:
Sessan - en kunglig saga _ SVT Play

 

[kalnel]

Is she the first of King Gustav Adolph’s grandchildren to die?

 

[Tatiana Maria]

The fact that even the public statement from the King refers to her as "colorful and forthright" seems like a fitting tribute to this refreshingly frank and funny princess.

I wonder if any members could comment on any differences between how protocol will handle her death and funeral compared to Princess Lilian, who was the last member of the Royal House to pass away. Formally, Princess Birgitta (since she made an "equal" marriage) remained as much a member of the Royal House as Princess Lilian, but unlike her she engaged in no royal duties since her marriage.

 

[Hans-Rickard]

Sad news indeed, the first one of her siblings to go. Is the cause-of-death known?

No cause of death has been announced… Her brother in law Consul General Tord Magnuson said today that they are all shocked by the news. so it seems to have happened unexpectedly

Is she the first of King Gustav Adolph’s grandchildren to die?

Yes she is the first of Gustaf VI Adolfs grandchildren to die

The fact that even the public statement from the King refers to her as "colorful and forthright" seems like a fitting tribute to this refreshingly frank and funny princess.

I wonder if any members could comment on any differences between how protocol will handle her death and funeral compared to Princess Lilian, who was the last member of the Royal House to pass away. Formally, Princess Birgitta (since she made an "equal" marriage) remained as much a member of the Royal House as Princess Lilian, but unlike her she engaged in no royal duties since her marriage.

It is not known yet what kind of a funeral she will recive. If any ceremonial protocol will be followed, or if it will be handled entirely privately… It will be announced in the coming days.

She is certainly entitled to a ceremonial funeral if she would have wanted that.. But at the same time, she didn’t live in Sweden after 1961, so maybe she didn’t wanted that.

The only thing known so far is that it was Birgittas last wish to be cremated and buried with her parents at the Royal Burial Grounds in Stockholm.

 

[JR76]

It's been announced by the court that the inurnment will be for close family only and take place at the Royal burial ground at Haga.

Regarding the cause of death the Princess had some heart issues a few years ago. One could speculate if they had anything to do with it.

 

[doro]

Oh, Lord, what shocking and unexpected news!

My sincere condolences!

Her death noticed in several German news outlets

Carl Gustaf von Schweden trauert um Schwester Birgitta (†87)

Das schwedische Königshaus trauert um Prinzessin Birgitta (†87). Die Schwester des Königs ist tot.

www.bunte.de

Prinzessin Birgitta von Hohenzollern ist tot: Schwedischer König in Trauer

Großer Trauer am schwedischen Hof: Die Schwester des Königs ist auf Mallorca verstorben.

www.bild.de

 

[Hans-Rickard]

According to one of Princess Birgittas close swedish friends Mrs Alexandra Charles, Birgitta (who had heart issues since before) suffered from heart problems again when she was at the hospital for her broken arm, and she passed away early this morning.

One of her sons managed to get to Mallorca in time, so she was not alone when she died.

Prinsessan Birgittas sista tid – vännerna berättar

Mona Tumba, änka efter ishockeylegenden Sven Tumba, var nära vän med prinsessan Birgitta. Hon försökte nå henne så sent som på tisdagen och är bestört över dödsbeskedet. – Det är inte klokt. Jag ringde henne i går och undrade varför hon inte svarade. Vi pratades vid väldigt ofta och stod...

www.aftonbladet.se

 

[Moonmaiden23]

Will Princess Birgitta have a Catholic funeral? She converted to Catholicism at the time of her wedding in the early 1960's.

 

[Hans-Rickard]

Will Princess Birgitta have a Catholic funeral? She converted to Catholicism at the time of her wedding in the early 1960's.

She applied to convert to roman catholicism but her application was rejected by the church, that questioned her spiritual committment to a change. So she never converted.

Her husband was and her children are roman catholics.

 

[Somebody]

Such shocking news, especially for the family. CG’s characterization of his sister is fitting.

 

[kalnel]

According to one of Princess Birgittas close swedish friends Mrs Alexandra Charles, Birgitta (who had heart issues since before) suffered from heart problems again when she was at the hospital for her broken arm, and she passed away early this morning.

One of her sons managed to get to Mallorca in time, so she was not alone when she died.

Prinsessan Birgittas sista tid – vännerna berättar

Mona Tumba, änka efter ishockeylegenden Sven Tumba, var nära vän med prinsessan Birgitta. Hon försökte nå henne så sent som på tisdagen och är bestört över dödsbeskedet. – Det är inte klokt. Jag ringde henne i går och undrade varför hon inte svarade. Vi pratades vid väldigt ofta och stod...

www.aftonbladet.se

She had a broken arm with some complications a few months ago. I wonder if this was a new problem or something from her previous accident.