Death and Funeral of Princess Birgitta: December 2024


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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.


Alexandra Charles told to Svensk Damtidning that she and Birgitta spoke on the phone most recently last week.
- Then she had an accident by falling and ending up in hospital. She had hit her head, broken her arm in two places and hit her back. She was in hospital, at first she thought she would be allowed to come home. Then she had become worse, both weak and faint. The heart couldn't take it.
Alexandra remembers her friend as a person who was there through thick and thin.
- I am happy that I have many fond memories of Princess Birgitta. She really stood up. She was a good person.

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.
No, Birgitta had not broken her arm, she told to Svensk Damtidning on her birthday in January:
- A week ago I had surgery on my arm. It wasn't a fracture, it was blood that had run down the arm, the arm was like a balloon. It was serious then, but now it's resolved. Now I have no problems.

Photos of Birgitta's life

Alexandra Charles is now the one who talks constantly to the press. Today she said to Expressen:
- Her son came to the hospital the last night she was alive. He was there. And then the other children would come. There will be cremation there and then there will eventually be a funeral here at home.

Svensk Damtidning seems to already have found their new favourite person to call every other day, in Alexandra Charles….

One would have wished that information regarding Birgitta’s funeral and burial would come from the royal court - and not from another friend who loves to talk to the gossip press 😠

Yes, but I think it was Expressen which contacted Alexandra Charles first.

Queen Silvia said today at her work event:
- It came so unexpectedly - yes, like a shock. I spoke to her the day before yesterday! But she fell so unluckily and broke her arm. And then it ended. It is a great sadness.
How will the Queen remember Princess Birgitta?
- She was a very colorful person. And fortright, she always said what she thought. There were never any frills.
And she was funny! We had so much fun together.
Birgitta was there from the very beginning - already on the same day that the king and queen met in Munich?
Queen Silvia smiles.
- Yes, that's right, it was her. She will be deeply missed.

SVT is in discussions with the court about broadcasting Princess Birgitta's funeral. But she doesn't seem to have been that interested in that herself.
Margareta Thorgen:
- You have to respect her own wishes. Princess Birgitta's wishes regarding her funeral in Sweden was a private ceremony in the immediate family circle. She has lived abroad for over 60 years, most of which in Mallorca, and during that time has not had an active part in royal activities.
When the funeral will take place has not yet been decided, and parts of the family are still abroad.
Princess Margaretha, 90, is according to information to Expressen, at her home in Great Britain.
- The date has not yet been set, for understandable reasons. The princess died yesterday, says Margareta Thorgren.
 
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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.
The Princess had nothing to loose either way ,she was not in the line of succession and nor were her children.
She had married a Prince and retained her HRH Status unlike her sisters.
I'm not sure if her conversion to Roman Catholicism would have raised eyebrows in Sweden,I'm thinking not given that she was not in the line of succession.

The late Princess seemed to really adapted to life in Mallorca!
 
The Princess had nothing to loose either way ,she was not in the line of succession and nor were her children.
She had married a Prince and retained her HRH Status unlike her sisters.
I'm not sure if her conversion to Roman Catholicism would have raised eyebrows in Sweden,I'm thinking not given that she was not in the line of succession.

The late Princess seemed to really adapted to life in Mallorca!
As it was almost taken for granted in the 1960:s that a Princess would marry a foreign Prince, leave her family and her culture, and become a part of his, i doubt a conversion would have caused much controversy here…

Indeed she made it clear many times in her later years that she was at Mallorca to stay there until the end of her days… And she did
 
As it was almost taken for granted in the 1960:s that a Princess would marry a foreign Prince, leave her family and her culture, and become a part of his, i doubt a conversion would have caused much controversy here…

Indeed she made it clear many times in her later years that she was at Mallorca to stay there until the end of her days… And she did
The Princess seemed so happy there!
 
Truly sad news. Along with Christina, Birgitta seemed like the most energetic Hagasessa but obviously that doesn't mean fate agrees.

Her first cousin, Princess Benedikte of Denmark, commented on her death at an engagement yesterday. Had only just been told. Video isn't worth watching – the reporter inquiring has the tactlessness to ask her "how well" she knew Birgitta. Benedikte, always a class act, was much more cordial than I would've been.

That their cousin apparently died after a fall must also really put some things into perspective for QMII. Shows how truly lucky she was with her tumble down the stairs earlier this year.
 
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.

I'm glad that one of her sons was with her at her passing.
What a a terribly sad time for the extended Royal Family and just before Christmas too.
 
That their cousin apparently died after a fall must also really put some things into perspective for QMII. Shows how truly lucky she was with her tumble down the stairs earlier this year.
Indeed. but then i think Princess Birgitta lived alone and had no staff around her like Queen Margrethe who can soon help after a fall
 
Condolences to her whole family, she sounded like such a great lady and such an interesting personality.

I have a question concerning her grandchildren. I've seen conflicting reports on Prince Hubertus' children (particularly wether or not he has children). I hope it's not an innapropriate question.
 
Condolences to her whole family, she sounded like such a great lady and such an interesting personality.

I have a question concerning her grandchildren. I've seen conflicting reports on Prince Hubertus' children (particularly wether or not he has children). I hope it's not an innapropriate question.
He has a foster child.
 
I have a question concerning her grandchildren. I've seen conflicting reports on Prince Hubertus' children (particularly wether or not he has children). I hope it's not an innapropriate question.
There's an existing thread on the family
Princess Birgitta and Family, Current Events Part 1: December 2002 -

A gallery of Photos in Tribute to the kings late sister
PPE Agency

Some other articles on the passing of the Princess
Remembering Princess Birgitta, King Carl Gustaf of Sweden's ‘colourful’ older sister who competed in the Olympics and caused a religious controversy with her royal wedding

King Carl Gustaf's Sister, Princess Birgitta, Has Died
 
He has a foster child.
There isn't much information about Hubertus and his family online. He is married to Uta Maria König and they had a son, Lennart Carl Christian, born January 10, 2001. He sadly passed away four days after his birth. The other child, Vivianne or Vivian is , as Stefan writes, a foster child or "adopted" as some sources write. The girl was born 2009 and is active in sports. I found this article which mentions her. According to the description of the picture she must be the first girl on the left, last row.

 
Svensk Damtidning seems to already have found their new favourite person to call every other day, in Alexandra Charles….

One would have wished that information regarding Birgitta’s funeral and burial would come from the royal court - and not from another friend who loves to talk to the gossip press 😠
 
The Royal Family has added some beautiful pictures of Princess Birgitta and her siblings ”through the years”… Click on the link, scroll down, and you will see them (Prinsessan Birgitta genom åren)

 
Shocked to see this tonight. True condolences to the whole family for their loss.
 
Some lovely tributes with photos of Princess Birgitta by friends and patronages.

Royal Swedish Golfing Society
Royal Swedish Golfing Society

Carry Persson

Johna Tumba

Mona Tumba

Jens Lind

Binowo Park Golf Club
 
Princess Birgittas 3 children Prince Carl-Christian of Hohenzollern, Mrs Desirée von Bohlen und Halbach, and Prince Hubertus of Hohenzollern, with their spouses, hosted a private memorial service today at Iglesia de Santa Eulalia in Palma for Princess Birgittas friends at Mallorca.

 

HRH Princess Birgitta's funeral​

HRH Princess Birgitta's funeral service and burial will take place on Sunday 15 December.
Princess Birgitta is taken to her final resting place on the third Sunday of Advent.

Funeral service and burial​

The funeral service takes place at Drottningholm Palace Church.
The following burial takes place on the Royal Cemetery in Haga Park.
In accordance with Princess Birgitta's wish, the ceremonies take place with the family and special invitees.

Flagging at half mast​

H.M. The King has decided that the flags on the Royal Palace, Drottningholm Palace and Haga Palace are moved to half-mast during the day of the funeral.
After the burial has taken place, the flags are raised to the top again.

Seraphim Toll​

Princess Birgitta was appointed a member and commander of the Royal Order of Knighthood on March 22, 1952. As a member of the Royal Order of the Seraphim, Princess Birgitta is honored with a Seraphim Toll in Riddarholmen Church on the day of the funeral.
The church bell rings at 12.00-13.00. Riddarholmen Church is open to visitors during the Toll.

Condolence lists​

For those who wish to offer their condolences on the occasion of Princess Birgitta's passing, lists are available in the Hall of State at the Royal Palace at 10.00–13.00 and in Riddarholmen church at 12.00–13.00 on the day of the funeral.

Cemetery open​

The Royal Cemetery at the Haga Park is open on Monday, December 16 at 11.00–14.00 local time for those who wish to visit Princess Birgitta's grave.

Princess Birgitta's funeral service at Drottningholm Palace Church and the following burial at the Royal Cemetery are not open to the media.

 
As expected a private funeral and burial with only her family and those specially invited present.. Just like it was for Princess Ragnhild of Norway.

Surprised to see it taking place on a Sunday wich is extremly rare… But as it takes place in a royal church and at the royal cemetery i suppose there is no problem with that…

The only foreign royals i think may attend are her paternal and material cousins if they are invited.
 
The only foreign royals i think may attend are her paternal and material cousins if they are invited.
Perhaps some members of the Hohenzollern Family, like the present Fürst who was a pageboy at her religious Wedding. But no Idea if she was close to him.
 
Perhaps some members of the Hohenzollern Family, like the present Fürst who was a pageboy at her religious Wedding. But no Idea if she was close to him.
Yes, if any royals outside of the closer family are invited, i guess it will be someone from the Hohenzollern’s and the Norwegian RF… Perhaps also Prince Leopold and Princess Ursula of Bavaria who is very close ro the Swedish RF.

Drottningholm Palace Church can seat around 160 guests with extra seating.
 
The only foreign royals i think may attend are her paternal and material cousins if they are invited.
Andreas of Coburg aside I don't think the five Swedish siblings have had much contact with their maternal cousins.
I can definitely see some of the Danish cousins and Michael Bernadotte attend in addition to some of the usual Wisborgs from Sweden and Mainau.
 
As expected a private funeral and burial with only her family and those specially invited present.. Just like it was for Princess Ragnhild of Norway.

Surprised to see it taking place on a Sunday wich is extremly rare… But as it takes place in a royal church and at the royal cemetery i suppose there is no problem with that…

The only foreign royals i think may attend are her paternal and material cousins if they are invited.
The late Princess always seemed to be a private person and lived away from her homeland .
I also expected that the funeral would be a private family affair too!
 
It will definitely be a private family affair.
Yes this will be a private family funeral, and no state occasion.

Unless the royal court allows their own photographer to take some pictures - we will at most see pictures from outside of the church, and from the car procession to the royal cemetery..
 
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