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

[Somebody]

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

What makes it more official/public than Birgitta's in your opinion?

I looked up the arrangements for Birgitta and the main differences seem to be:
- the service taking place at the Chapel in the Royal Palace vs Drottningholm Palace Church
- burial at Koberg instead of the royal cemetery at Haga Park
- flags at half-mast at a larger number of buildings for Desiree than Birgitta (only Royal Palace, Drottningholm Palace and Haga Palace)
- Condolence lists for Birgitta in the Hall of State at the Royal Palace and in Riddarholmen church but not for Desirée (unless that was announced at a different time)
- Possibility to visit the grave of Birgitta the day after the funeral/burial (but not announced for Desirée)
- Photo pool for Desirée's funeral but not for Birgitta's (however, photographers did show up at Drottningholm and at the cemetery - I assume they want to (try to) avoid media showing up this time)

Similarities:
- only open to close family members and special invitees (wording is different: for Desirée on request of her family and for Birgitta at her own request)
- Seraphim toll for an hour (as members of the Royal Order of the Seraphim)
- Private reception for both: for Desirée at Sybilla's apartment (announced) and for Birgitta at Drottningholm Palace (unannounced)

I just realized that both Birgitta and Desirée were 87 when they passed away.

Is it known what will happen to Koberg Castle. If I understand it correctly, Niclas and Desirée lived there and it is the family seat of the Silfverschiöld family. Did one of their children (probably their son and his family) live there with them?

 

[Hans-Rickard]

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).

Yes it is allowed to have the funeral service until up to 30 days after the death in Sweden.

19:th February is 29 days after her death.

If you are not going to be cremated, the coffin needs to be buried within 30 days as well.

If you are going to be creamted, you are allowed to wait with the burial until up to 1 year from the funeral service.

It seems to me like Princess Desirée will be cremated, and that the burial will take place closer to the summer. That is not uncommon in Sweden.

 

[crm2317]

It seems strange to be that she died at Koburg but will be transported to Stockholm for a service and then transported back to Koburg for burial. Is there no chapel at Koburg castle they could have used?

 

[JR76]

I just realized that both Birgitta and Desirée were 87 when they passed away.

Is it known what will happen to Koberg Castle. If I understand it correctly, Niclas and Desirée lived there and it is the family seat of the Silfverschiöld family. Did one of their children (probably their son and his family) live there with them?

Carl Silfverschiöld inherited the large Koberg and Gåsevadeholm estates and lives at Koberg castle. His daughter Anna lives with her mother Marie in a flat on Lidingö island in Stockholm. When Niclas died it was revealed that Carl would inherit the entire family estate while his two sisters will inherit their mother.
Desirée stayed on living at Koberg, but also had flats in Stockholm and on the flight below her sister Birgitta on Mallorca.

 

[Somebody]

It seems strange to be that she died at Koburg but will be transported to Stockholm for a service and then transported back to Koburg for burial. Is there no chapel at Koburg castle they could have used?

She is after all a princess of Sweden, so it makes sense that a service is held at a royal palace before she is buried next to her husband at Koburg. Theoretically, they don't need to transport her remains to Stockholm to hold a funeral service at the palace.

 

[Hans-Rickard]

It seems strange to be that she died at Koburg but will be transported to Stockholm for a service and then transported back to Koburg for burial. Is there no chapel at Koburg castle they could have used?

There are several local churches around Koberg Palace, but Princess Desirée belonged to the court parish, and thus has automatic right to have her funeral service in the royal palace church, should the family want to.

The number of expected guests may also play a part. Desirée had much more contact with her relatives in other royal families than Birgitta had for example so more guests may be expected, wich makes it easier to have it in Stockholm.

 

[JR76]

It seems strange to be that she died at Koburg but will be transported to Stockholm for a service and then transported back to Koburg for burial. Is there no chapel at Koburg castle they could have used?

To my knowledge there is no chapel at the castle. Niclas' funeral was held at Erska church in Alingsås and he was then buried in the family plot by the ruin of the old Lagmansered church which is close to Koberg.

kyrkoruiner.se

Kyrkoruiner.se

www.kyrkoruiner.se

 

[Stefan]

It seems strange to be that she died at Koburg but will be transported to Stockholm for a service and then transported back to Koburg for burial. Is there no chapel at Koburg castle they could have used?

Perhaps they will have the Service in Stockholm without the coffin

 

[Hans-Rickard]

Perhaps they will have the Service in Stockholm without the coffin

The service will definitely take place with the coffin present.

 

[Minister of Court]

I expect all the King’s sisters have detailed funeral plans in place, overseen by themselves. It was probably Desiree’s wish to have her funeral at the Palace Chapel, whereas Birgitta opted for Drottningholm.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

She is after all a princess of Sweden, so it makes sense that a service is held at a royal palace before she is buried next to her husband at Koburg.

Just to clarify for those not familiar with the history, Désirée ceased to be a Princess of Sweden (and member of the Royal House) when she contracted what was then considered an "unequal" marriage. She was then given the courtesy title of "Princess", but without the "of Sweden" designation.

What makes it more official/public than Birgitta's in your opinion?

I looked up the arrangements for Birgitta and the main differences seem to be:
[...]
- flags at half-mast at a larger number of buildings for Desiree than Birgitta (only Royal Palace, Drottningholm Palace and Haga Palace)

Thank you for looking it up. Where was it mentioned that Désirée will receive flags at half-mast on a larger number of buildings? That seems odd given that Birgitta was a Princess of Sweden when she died, and Désirée was not.

 

[Hans-Rickard]

Where was it mentioned that Désirée will receive flags at half-mast on a larger number of buildings? That seems odd given that Birgitta was a Princess of Sweden when she died, and Désirée was not.

It was mentioned in the court’s press release this morning that the flags will fly at half mast from the Royal Palace, Drottningholm Palace, Haga Palace, The Royal Court’s Office Building (Slottsbacken 2 where Princess Christina and Tord lives), The Royal Stables and Villa Solbacken on the day of her funeral.

The press release about Princess Birgitta’s funeral mentioned flags at half mast from the Royal Palace, Drottningholm Palace and Haga Palace.

I think this funeral will be on a larger scale as Princess Desirée lived in Sweden all her life. And also had much more contact with her relatives in other royal houses than Birgitta had, so i wouldn’t be surprised at all if we will see some foreign royals attend.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Thank you, apologies to @Somebody and @iceflower as I missed that.

It is interesting that the royal court doesn't seem to make any distinction based on one sister having died as a Princess of Sweden and the other sister having died as an ex-Princess of Sweden.

Then again, both were Princesses of Sweden once, and funeral ceremonial often depends on the highest rank a person occupied during their lifetime.

 

[Somebody]

I think H-R is correct. Not only their official status matters but also that the higher ranking sister lived most of her life abroad, while the no-longer HRH (but still member of the Order of the Seraphim) remained a well-known and active member of the Swedish high society.

 

[LadyFinn]

Princess Désirée will be honoured by a Seraphim Toll at the Riddarholmen Church on February 19th 2026.

Seraphim Toll on February 19th

HRH Princess Désirée, sister of HM The King, will be honoured by a Seraphim Toll at the Riddarholmen Church on February 19th 2026.

www.kungligaslotten.se

Serafimerringning 19 februari

Som ledamot av Serafimerorden hedras Prinsessan Désirée med serafimerringning i Riddarholmskyrkan i samband med begravningsgudstjänsten den 19 februari.

www.kungligaslotten.se

 

[LadyFinn]

Tomorrow Princess Désirée's funeral service will take place in the Royal Chapel at the Royal Palace.
The funeral will be held in the circle of family and invited guests.

Kungahuset 🇸🇪 | I morgon äger Prinsessan Désirées begravningsgudstjänst rum i Slottskyrkan på Kungl. Slottet. Begravningen sker i kretsen av familj och... | Instagram

5,430 likes, 60 comments - kungahuset on February 18, 2026: "I morgon äger Prinsessan Désirées begravningsgudstjänst rum i Slottskyrkan på Kungl. Slottet. Begravningen sker i kretsen av familj och...

www.instagram.com

 

[LadyFinn]

Flag at half-mast at the Royal Palace:
Pic

Här anländer prinsessan Désirées kista till begravningen – familjen i sorg

I dag begravs prinsessan Désirée i Slottskyrkan. Här anländer hennes kista till begravningen. Se bilden här.

www.svenskdam.se

Svensk Damtidning updates here during the day:

Svensk Dam Direkt – snabba kungliga nyheter

Följ Svensk Damtidnings direktrapportering där vi löpande håller dig uppdaterad med snabba nyheter om kungligheter och kändisar!

www.svenskdam.se

Désirée's daughter Christina "Tina" de Geer arrived with her husband Hans and children Ian, Estelle and Fred.
Pic

Désirée's daughter Héléne Silfverschiöld arrived with her partner Fredrik Dieterle and their son
Pic

Margareta Thorgren confirmed to Svensk Damtidning that princess Margaretha (91) attends the funeral.

Shortly after 12.00, the royal family arrived in the Court and Säpo's black cars with tinted windows.

Här smyger kungafamiljen in – inför Désirées begravning

Prinsessan Désirée begravs under torsdagen – här smyger kungafamiljen in inför begravningen.

www.svenskdam.se

The Seraphim Toll to Princess Désirée at the Riddarholmen Church.
Pic ** Pic

The Royal Family arriving to the Royal Chapel:

Här visar kungen sin sorg – systern Désirée begravs

Torsdagen den 19 februari är en dag fylld av sorg. I dag tar kungen och den svenska kungafamiljen ett sista farväl.

www.svenskdam.se

Victoria, Daniel and Estelle, the other children didn't attend.
Pic
Princess Christina, Tord and Oscar Magnuson
Pic
More photos

Kungafamiljens farväl

Ännu en Hagasessa har gått ur tiden. I dag tog kungafamiljen ett känslosamt farväl av prinsessan Désirée i Slottskyrkan i Stockholm. Gravsättningen kommer att ske på en helt annan plats.

www.expressen.se

Victoria i sorg på faster Désirées begravning – tröstas av prins Daniel

Kronprinsessan Victoria tar ett sista farväl av sin faster, prinsessan Désirée. Läs mer här.

www.svenskdam.se

13-åriga Estelle på prinsessan Désirées begravning – se bilderna

Prinsessan Estelle deltar på prinsessan Désirées begravning. Se bilderna här.

www.svenskdam.se

Här anländer Silvia – tar farväl av nära vännen

Idag begravs drottning Silvias väninna prinsessan Desirée.

www.svenskdam.se

Madeleines tårar på Désirées begravning – Chris stöd i sorgen

Prinsessan Madeleine i tårar på prinsessan Désirées begravning – se bilderna här.

www.svenskdam.se

 

[An Ard Ri]

Looks like a rather cold and wintry morning in Stockholm for the funeral.

From the Funeral Service at the Chapel Royal
Funeral of Princess Désirée of Sweden, Baroness Silfverschiöld

PPE Agency

 

[Hans-Rickard]

Looks like a rather cold and wintry morning in Stockholm for the funeral.

Right now we have about minus six degrees celsius.

The flags on all the royal palaces in the Stockholm area are at half mast.

The Swedish Royal Family’s oldest member 91 year old Princess Margaretha Mrs Ambler arriving to the funeral of her sister.

Här sörjer prinsessan Margaretha, 91, sin syster – se gripande bilden

Här anländer prinsessan Margaretha till prinsessan Désirées begravning. Läs mer här!

www.svenskdam.se

Pictures and video of the Swedish Royal Family arriving to the funeral of Princess Desirée.

Svensk Dam Direkt – snabba kungliga nyheter

Följ Svensk Damtidnings direktrapportering där vi löpande håller dig uppdaterad med snabba nyheter om kungligheter och kändisar!

www.svenskdam.se

 

[Blog Real]

Photos:

Svensk Damtidning | Prinsessan Désirées familj anländer till Kungliga slottet och Slottskyrkan inför begravningen: Hélène med familj och Christina med sin son.... | Instagram

303 likes, 2 comments - svenskdamtidning on February 19, 2026: "Prinsessan Désirées familj anländer till Kungliga slottet och Slottskyrkan inför begravningen: Hélène med familj och Christina med sin...

www.instagram.com

 

[Hans-Rickard]

Video of the hearse departing The Royal Palace witt Princess Desirée’s coffin.

The Funeral Service has now ended and the guests are gathering for a reception at Princess Sibylla’s apartments at the Royal Palace, where Princess Desirée and her siblings lived from 1950 until they moved away from home.

Svensk Dam Direkt – snabba kungliga nyheter

Följ Svensk Damtidnings direktrapportering där vi löpande håller dig uppdaterad med snabba nyheter om kungligheter och kändisar!

www.svenskdam.se

The Funeral Service of Princess Desirée Baroness Silfverschiöld.

Begravningsgudstjänt för Prinsessan Désirée

Torsdagen den 19 februari hölls begravningsgudstjänst för H.M. Konungens syster, Prinsessan Désirée, friherrinna Silfverschiöld, i Slottskyrkan på Kungl. Slottet.

www.kungahuset.se

 

[Biri]

Flag at half-mast at the Royal Palace:
Pic

Här anländer prinsessan Désirées kista till begravningen – familjen i sorg

I dag begravs prinsessan Désirée i Slottskyrkan. Här anländer hennes kista till begravningen. Se bilden här.

www.svenskdam.se

Svensk Damtidning updates here during the day:

Svensk Dam Direkt – snabba kungliga nyheter

Följ Svensk Damtidnings direktrapportering där vi löpande håller dig uppdaterad med snabba nyheter om kungligheter och kändisar!

www.svenskdam.se

Désirée's daughter Christina "Tina" de Geer arrived with her husband Hans and children Ian, Estelle and Fred.
Pic

Désirée's daughter Héléne Silfverschiöld arrived with her partner Fredrik Dieterle and their son
Pic

Margareta Thorgren confirmed to Svensk Damtidning that princess Margaretha (91) attends the funeral.

Shortly after 12.00, the royal family arrived in the Court and Säpo's black cars with tinted windows.

Här smyger kungafamiljen in – inför Désirées begravning

Prinsessan Désirée begravs under torsdagen – här smyger kungafamiljen in inför begravningen.

www.svenskdam.se

The Seraphim Toll to Princess Désirée at the Riddarholmen Church.
Pic ** Pic

The Royal Family arriving to the Royal Chapel:

Här visar kungen sin sorg – systern Désirée begravs

Torsdagen den 19 februari är en dag fylld av sorg. I dag tar kungen och den svenska kungafamiljen ett sista farväl.

www.svenskdam.se

Victoria, Daniel and Estelle, the other children didn't attend.
Pic
Princess Christina, Tord and Oscar Magnuson
Pic
More photos

Kungafamiljens farväl

Ännu en Hagasessa har gått ur tiden. I dag tog kungafamiljen ett känslosamt farväl av prinsessan Désirée i Slottskyrkan i Stockholm. Gravsättningen kommer att ske på en helt annan plats.

www.expressen.se

Victoria i sorg på faster Désirées begravning – tröstas av prins Daniel

Kronprinsessan Victoria tar ett sista farväl av sin faster, prinsessan Désirée. Läs mer här.

www.svenskdam.se

13-åriga Estelle på prinsessan Désirées begravning – se bilderna

Prinsessan Estelle deltar på prinsessan Désirées begravning. Se bilderna här.

www.svenskdam.se

Här anländer Silvia – tar farväl av nära vännen

Idag begravs drottning Silvias väninna prinsessan Desirée.

www.svenskdam.se

Madeleines tårar på Désirées begravning – Chris stöd i sorgen

Prinsessan Madeleine i tårar på prinsessan Désirées begravning – se bilderna här.

www.svenskdam.se

And where is Princess Desiree's son, Baron Carl Silfverschiold and his daughter Anna?

 

[maria-olivia]

Did her eldst sister Princess Mrgaretha attend ?

 

[LadyFinn]

Did her eldst sister Princess Mrgaretha attend ?

Yes.

Här sörjer prinsessan Margaretha, 91, sin syster – se gripande bilden

Här anländer prinsessan Margaretha till prinsessan Désirées begravning. Läs mer här!

www.svenskdam.se

More photos
Getty Images
Profimedia gallery

Madeleine Kogevinas attended the funeral
Pic

Kungafamiljens egna bilder – inifrån prinsessan Désirées begravning

Gästerna, blommorna och sorgen. En dag av vemod – och prinsessan Estelles första offentliga begravning. Se bilderna här.

www.svenskdam.se

 

[Minister of Court]

Wonderful to see Princess Margaretha after all these years, even if it is for a sad occasion.

 

[Archduchess Zelia]

The three green wreaths with red and white ribbons are from Desirée's Danish cousins, (L-R) Anne-Marie, Benedikte and Daisy, respectively. I'm curious about the white wreath next to theirs but the angle of the official pictures makes it impossible to make out what the ribbon says.

The white wreaths near the altar carry the monograms of Princess Beatrix (L), and King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima (R) of the Netherlands. The ribbon on the wreath furthest to the right looks like the Belgian flag.

 

[Sarahbellar]

The three green wreaths with red and white ribbons are from Desirée's Danish cousins, (L-R) Anne-Marie, Benedikte and Daisy, respectively. I'm curious about the white wreath next to theirs but the angle of the official pictures makes it impossible to make out what the ribbon says.

The white wreaths near the altar carry the monograms of Princess Beatrix (L), and King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima (R) of the Netherlands. The ribbon on the wreath furthest to the right looks like the Belgian flag.

My exact thoughts. I wonder if it could be from the Norwegian royals.
I did see wreaths from the Thott family and Catherine and Claud Hamilton. I couldn’t read the others

 

[kalnel]

I'm surprised none of the Danish cousins attended.

 

[LadyFinn]

And where is Princess Desiree's son, Baron Carl Silfverschiold and his daughter Anna?

So far no agencies have published photos of him, he attended with countess Marie Hamilton. They can be seen sitting at the chapel at the photos the court published. I haven't found Anna from the photos.

Princess Margaretha with her children behind her
Pic

Count Bertil and countess Jill Bernadotte, is that their daughter Astrid with them?
Pic

PHOTOS - Obsèques de la princesse Desirée de Suède : Victoria et Daniel émus, la famille royale unie pour un dernier adieu

PHOTOS - Jeudi 19 février, les membres de la famille royale de Suède se sont réunis pour adresser un dernier adieu à la princesse Désirée, décédée le 21 janvier dernier, à l’âge de 87 ans.

photo.gala.fr

Royal Cemetery in Hagaparken is open this weekend
On Thursday, February 19, a funeral service was held for H.M. The King's sister, Princess Désirée, in the Royal Chapel at the Royal Palace. The wreaths and floral decorations from the service have been taken to the Royal Cemetery in Hagaparken, which is open to the public this weekend, Saturday, February 21 and Sunday, February 22, from 11:00 to 15:00.

Kungliga slotten on Instagram: "Kungl. Begravningsplatsen i Hagaparken är öppen i helgen Torsdagen den 19 februari hölls begravningsgudstjänst för H.M. Konungens syster, Prinsessan Désirée, i Slottskyrkan på Kungliga slottet. Blomsterkransarna och b

435 likes, 2 comments - kungligaslotten on February 20, 2026: "Kungl. Begravningsplatsen i Hagaparken är öppen i helgen Torsdagen den 19 februari hölls begravningsgudstjänst för H.M. Konungens syster, Prinsessan Désirée, i Slottskyrkan på Kungliga slottet. Blomsterkransarna och...

www.instagram.com

 

[An Ard Ri]

Wonderful to see Princess Margaretha after all these years, even if it is for a sad occasion.

Yes it was and a very sad occasion for the remaining siblings and family.