Death and funeral of Princess Desirée Baroness Silfverschiöld (1938 - 2026): January/February 2026

[Hans-Rickard]

The Swedish Royal Court has announced the death of Princess Desirée Baroness Silfverschiöld.

She passed peacefully away today at her home Koberg Castle in the region of Västergötland.

She was 87 years old.

The King has published the following statement -

”It is with deep sorrow that i have recived the information that my sister Princess Desirée Baroness Silfverschiöld has passed away.

Many are the warm family memories that has been created at the home of the Silfverschiöld family in Västergötland. A place in Sweden that came to mean a lot for my sister.

My family and i today express our deepest condolences to Princess Desirée’s children and their families”.

Prinsessan Désirée har avlidit

H.M. Konungens syster Prinsessan Désirée, friherrinna Silfverschiöld har, omgiven av sin familj, lugnt och stilla avlidit i sitt hem på Koberg i Västergötland onsdagen den 21 januari 2026 i en ålder av 87 år.

www.kungahuset.se

 

[Mbruno]

Very sad news. My condolences to her family and the extended Swedish Royal family.

 

[doro]

Rest in Peace

 

[LadyFinn]

The Royal House:
Princess Désirée, Baroness Silfverschiöld has, surrounded by her family, passed away peacefully at her home in Koberg in Västergötland on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at the age of 87.

Kungahuset 🇸🇪 on Instagram: "Prinsessan Désirée, friherrinna Silfverschiöld har, omgiven av sin familj, lugnt och stilla avlidit i sitt hem på Koberg i Västergötland onsdagen den 21 januari 2026 i en ålder av 87 år. Prinsessan Désirée var änka efte

1,097 likes, 38 comments - kungahuset on January 21, 2026: "Prinsessan Désirée, friherrinna Silfverschiöld har, omgiven av sin familj, lugnt och stilla avlidit i sitt hem på Koberg i Västergötland onsdagen den 21 januari 2026 i en ålder av 87 år. Prinsessan Désirée var änka efter friherre...

www.instagram.com

On the occasion of the death of Princess Désirée, the following statement is made by HM The King:
"With great sadness, I have today received the news that my sister, Princess Désirée, has passed away.
Many warm family memories were created in the home of the Silfverschiöld family in Västergötland – a place in Sweden that came to mean a great deal to my sister.
Together with my family, I send my condolences to Princess Désirée’s children and their families."
HM The King has ordered the flags at Drottningholm Palace and Haga Palace to be flown at half mast on 21 January.

Prinsessan Désirée har avlidit

H.M. Konungens syster Prinsessan Désirée, friherrinna Silfverschiöld har, omgiven av sin familj, lugnt och stilla avlidit i sitt hem på Koberg i Västergötland onsdagen den 21 januari 2026 i en ålder av 87 år.

www.kungahuset.se

Princess Désirée has passed away

HM The King’s sister Princess Désirée, Baroness Silfverschiöld, passed away peacefully in her home at Koberg in Västergötland on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, surrounded by her family. The Princess was 87 years old.

www.kungahuset.se

Prinsessan Désirée död – kungens sorg

Prinsessan Désirée har avlidit, meddelar hovet. – Med stor sorg har jag tagit emot informationen att min syster, prinsessan Désirée, har avlidit, säger kungen i ett uttalande.

www.expressen.se

Prinsessan Désirée är död – blev 87 år

Prinsessan Désirée är död. Det meddelar kungahuset i ett pressmeddelande.

www.aftonbladet.se

Margareta Thorgren confirms that the royal family is in mourning.
– It is sad news that reached us this morning that Princess Désirée passed away early this morning. She was surrounded by her family. The princess passed away peacefully and quietly at her home in Koberg.

Prinsessan Désirée är död – kungen i sorg: "Min syster har avlidit"

Prinsessan Désirée har avlidit vid 87 års ålder, bekräftar kungahuset.

www.svenskdam.se

 

[tihkon2]

Not so long after Birgitta. May she rest in peace.

 

[Hans-Rickard]

Information regarding her funeral and burial will be announced later by the Swedish Royal Court.

Her husband Baron Niclas Silfverschiöld who passed away in 2017 is buried in the Silfverschiöld family plot at Lagmansered Cemetery, close to the family home Koberg Castle.

 

[eejm]

Had Desiree been ill?

 

[An Ard Ri]

Very sad news at the passing of Princess Desirée ,Baroness Silfverschiöld.

Had Desiree been ill?

Other than the Princess passed away quietly at her home I'm afraid I don't know if she was ill .
Perhaps one of our Swedish members might know more.
Tributes to the late Princess
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden reveals his sister has died as he shares emotional statement reflecting on their 'warm family memories'
King Carl XVI Gustaf’s Sister, Princess Désirée of Sweden, Has Died

 

[Hans-Rickard]

Had Desiree been ill?

Princess Birgitta revealed in 2023 that Desirée had been very ill with meningitis during the summer of 2022 and had spent 4 months at hospital.

Other than that i don’t know much about her health, as she lived a very quiet and discreet life.

 

[principessa]

Do you think that she will be buried at the cemetery in Haga Park? Or will she be buried at her husbands side?

 

[Hans-Rickard]

Do you think that she will be buried at the cemetery in Haga Park? Or will she be buried at her husbands side?

We shall see but i would be surprised if it wouldn’t be by her husbands side…
They were happily married and still lived together when he died 9 years ago - contrary to Birgitta and Hansi who were only married on paper but lived apart since the early 1990:s…

The Swedish Royal Court has published a memorial page dedicated to Princess Desirée. The text is in swedish but i think the translate programs should work…

Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find lovely pictures from Princess Desirée’s life.

Prinsessan Désirée Elisabeth Sibylla 1938–2026

Prinsessan Désirée, friherinna Silfverschiöld har avlidit den 21 januari 2026 i en ålder av 87 år.

www.kungahuset.se

 

[Countessmeout]

Condolences to the whole family especially her children and grandchildren.

I'd suspect that we will see her buried with her husband.

 

[Somebody]

That’s sad news. Even though she reached the respectable age of 87, it remains hard for those left behind.

I also see no reason for her not to be buried with her husband.

 

[Blog Real]

What sad news. Was she ill?

May she rest in peace.

SVT news report on the death of Princess Désirée:

Prinsessan Désirée är död

Prinsessan Désirée har avlidit vid en ålder av 87 år, skriver Hovet i ett pressmeddelande.

www.svt.se

 

[fabaunty]

A woman of grace , discretion and style. She was a Lady in the truest sense, focused on her family yet never failing in her duty to her country . Sincere condolences to all her family .

 

[LadyFinn]

Flag at half-mast at Drottningholm Palace yesterday:
Profimedia gallery

 

[An Ard Ri]

Its sad for the king to loose another sibling and especially with his upcoming 80th birthday celebrations.
Remembering Princess Desiree Baroness Silfverschioeld.
PPE Agency

 

[Biri]

May she rest in peace.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

The Swedish Royal Court has published a memorial page dedicated to Princess Desirée. The text is in swedish but i think the translate programs should work…

Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find lovely pictures from Princess Desirée’s life.

Prinsessan Désirée Elisabeth Sibylla 1938–2026

Prinsessan Désirée, friherinna Silfverschiöld har avlidit den 21 januari 2026 i en ålder av 87 år.

www.kungahuset.se

Happy to see she (like her late sister Birgitta) finally received a proper detailed biographical profile from the royal court/library.

I did not know Princesses Désirée and Birgitta were so close they promised each other they would share the same wedding dress. Who knows, perhaps it wasn't concidence that they died only a year apart.

It is interesting that the Swedish court was very grand and traditional in many respects (and Désirée attending a Swiss finishing school would fit with that), yet Désirée and Birgitta worked the relatively "common" job of teacher (though I assume the schools were posh ones) until they married.

 

[maria-olivia]

As Princess Christina she had a happy and private life.

 

[An Ard Ri]

Has a funeral date and plans been announced?

 

[Hans-Rickard]

Has a funeral date and plans been announced?

No there has been no announcement as of today.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Did/will Princess Désirée being a baroness accord her any precedence, honors, privileges, etc. above and beyond what her sisters who married commoners (Margaretha and Christina) received?

 

[JR76]

Did/will Princess Désirée being a baroness accord her any precedence, honors, privileges, etc. above and beyond what her sisters who married commoners (Margaretha and Christina) received?

No.

 

[Hans-Rickard]

Did/will Princess Désirée being a baroness accord her any precedence, honors, privileges, etc. above and beyond what her sisters who married commoners (Margaretha and Christina) received?

No as the swedish nobility is abolished (even though the existing noble families are allowed to keep their titles until they run out of descendants) and her title was decided by her grandfather The King and the government as an honorary title.

A compromise instead of becoming Baroness Desirée Silfverschiöld and drop the word ”Princess” completely (wich she herself reportedly wanted but her grandfather and her mother rejected it).

I expect her funeral to be on the same level as Princess Birgitta’s was… The only question is where the funeral will be held and where she will be buried.

I expect her to be buried by her husbands side unless she has specifically requested something else… We will likely find out soon.

 

[iceflower]

The funeral service of Princess Désirée will take place on February 19, it was announced today, February 5.
It will take place in the Palace Chapel at the Royal Palace. The burial will take place at a later date at Koberg.

See all information here:

Prinsessan Désirées begravningsgudstjänst

Prinsessan Désirée, friherrinna Silfverschiölds begravningsgudstjänst äger rum torsdagen den 19 februari 2026.

www.kungahuset.se

5 February 2026
Princess Désirée's funeral service
The funeral service of Princess Désirée, Baroness Silfverschiöld will take place on Thursday 19 February 2026.

The funeral service will take place in the Palace Chapel at the Royal Palace.

Funeral service and burial
The funeral service will take place in the Palace Chapel at the Royal Palace. The service will be followed by a private reception in Princess Sibylla's apartment, Princess Désirée's childhood home.

The burial will take place at a later date at Koberg.

In accordance with the family's wishes, both ceremonies will take place in the circle of family and special invitees.

Flags at half-mast
HM The King has decided that the flags at the Royal Palace will be flown at half-mast. The Palace, Drottningholm Palace, Haga Palace, the Royal Administration House, the Royal Stables and Villa Solbacken will be flown at half-mast on the day of the funeral service.

Seraphim Ringing
Princess Désirée was appointed a member and commander of the Royal Order of the Seraphim on 22 March 1952. As a member of the Order of the Seraphim, Princess Désirée will be honoured with a Seraphim Ringing in Riddarholm Church on the day of the funeral, 19 February.
The church bell will ring from 12.00 to 13.00. Riddarholm Church is open to visitors during the ringing.

Information for the media
Princess Désirée's funeral service is not open to the media. However, a photo pool will be arranged in connection with the Palace Church at the Royal Palace in connection with the funeral service.To apply for a place in the photo pool, contact press@kungahuset.seMedia also have the opportunity to attend the Seraphim Ringing Ceremony in Riddarholmskyrkan from 12:00 to 13:00. No advance registration is required.

 

[Somebody]

Is a 4-week delay between death and funeral common in Sweden? And the burial might take place even later (although I assume that would at a maximum be a few days - as some who would need to travel to Sweden for the funeral, would want to be present at the burial as well).

 

[An Ard Ri]

There does seem to have been a long gap between the death of the late Princess and her funeral and later burial at Koberg.

 

[Stefan]

What i find interesting is that she will have a more official/public funeral then Princess Birgitta, who was still a Royal Highness and official member of the Roysl House, which Désirée wasn't since her marriage

 

[LadyFinn]

Is a 4-week delay between death and funeral common in Sweden? And the burial might take place even later (although I assume that would at a maximum be a few days - as some who would need to travel to Sweden for the funeral, would want to be present at the burial as well).

A funeral four weeks after the death is not uncommon in Sweden and in Finland.

Princess Désirée's husband Niclas Silfverschiöld died on April 11 and his funeral was on May 11.
Count Oscar Bernadotte died on November 3 and his funeral was on December 2.
Countess Marianne Bernadotte died on May 17 and her funeral was on June 11.
The King's friend Carl Adam "Noppe" Lewenhaupt died on February 28 and his funeral was on March 31.