The Extended Bernadotte Family, News Part 2 : May 2025 -


If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
Thanks, I was first wondering whether it would be a memorial service but the word 'begravningen' sounded as if it truly is a burial. So, this makes more sense.

Thirty days is still rather long compared to the Dutch legislation that requires burial or cremation within 6 'workdays' (so, that excludes weekend and official holidays) - although most funerals would take place within a week (but max. 2 weeks if someone dies just before a weekend and there are some official holidays in between).
 
Countess Bettina Bernadotte attended on July 13 the Graduation ceremony of the Europa Minigärtner course on the Mainau Island.
Around 120 children from all over Baden-Württemberg gathered to celebrate the end of their mini-gardening program. Together with the gardeners from Mainau Island, the boys and girls redesigned part of the school garden.
Children between the ages of 8 and 12 can join the Mini Gardeners program, which has been initiated by Countess Bettina in 2013.
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Svensk Damtidning wrote yesterday about the passing of Christine Bernadotte af Wisborg.
She is being mourned by her husband Folke and their four children Anna, Folke, Gunnar and Maria with families.
The deputy director of the Information department Johan Tegel tells that the royal family was informed of her passing in May. Condolences have been sent privately.
Son Folke describes his mother as positive, happy, fair and honest, and that she gave him and his siblings a solid foundation to stand on (..)

 
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Countess Bettina Bernadotte listening the exhibition "Mission 2030".
"Did you know? In the interactive exhibition "Mission 2030" by Plan International Germany at Mainau Castle, you'll meet people from six countries and their stories that touch, surprise, and inspire reflection. Whether through karaoke, skill games, or everyday challenges: Here you'll experience how sustainability is practiced around the world and the role it plays in our lives. Come by until September 2025 and discover how close the world can be to us."
 
Question related to the extended Bernadotte branches. I see the title Count repeated, is this the tradition for the other members to carry this title of style? Did they had any family titles from the Napoleonic era, or before, that carried over to Sweden?
 
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Question related to the extended Bernadotte branches. I see the title Count repeated, is this the tradition for the other members to carry this title of style? Did they had any family titles from the Napoleonic era, or before, that carried over to Sweden?
They're all descended from three former princes who lost their royal titles upon marriage with a non-royal and were later given the title Count of Wisborg by the head of state of Luxembourg.
Some claim that as descendants of the Prince of Pontecorvo the members of the family can call themselves Prince/ss Bernadotte but the only one who has done so is the late Sigvard Bernadotte.
 
They're all descended from three former princes who lost their royal titles upon marriage with a non-royal and were later given the title Count of Wisborg by the head of state of Luxembourg.
Some claim that as descendants of the Prince of Pontecorvo the members of the family can call themselves Prince/ss Bernadotte but the only one who has done so is the late Sigvard Bernadotte.
Thanks for the reply!!! That answer got me into another question and research on the principality of Pontecorvo: Principality of Pontecorvo - Wikipedia

If they are princes by being descendants of the Pontecorvo line, why not hyphenate it as the Bourbons and Habsburgs did on their cadet branches, like serene highness prince/princess (name) Bernadotte-Pontecorvo or Pontecorvo-Bernadotte?

I found out the Pontecorvo title is also used by the royal house of Murat, which make this tiny location in Italy a bit too royally crowded Pontecorvo - Wikipedia
 
How should Mainau Island develop further? "It's all about sensitivity and foresight"
Managing Director Count Björn Bernadotte provides an overview of the challenges and opportunities for the flower island. The core plan is the "Mainau 2040" master plan, which also includes a new development plan.
 
Swedish summer evening on 22 August in the Schwedenschenke on Mainau Island
Let yourself be enchanted by the magic of a Swedish summer evening and enjoy a delicious smörgåsbord (Swedish buffet) full of typical specialties in the Schwedenschenke restaurant.
Mainau Managing Director, Countess Bettina Bernadotte, will also be there and invite you to sing Swedish songs together. She will also enrich the evening with anecdotes from Sweden.
 
They're all descended from three former princes who lost their royal titles upon marriage with a non-royal and were later given the title Count of Wisborg by the head of state of Luxembourg.
Some claim that as descendants of the Prince of Pontecorvo the members of the family can call themselves Prince/ss Bernadotte but the only one who has done so is the late Sigvard Bernadotte.
Regarding the Wisborg titles: is there any explanation why the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg of all people decided to confer those titles on the demoted Swedish princes? I mean, when Carl Bernadotte was conferred the title Prince Bernadotte by Leopold of Belgium, it made sense them being brothers-in-law. But what was Grand Duchess Charlotte’s motivation?
 
Regarding the Wisborg titles: is there any explanation why the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg of all people decided to confer those titles on the demoted Swedish princes? I mean, when Carl Bernadotte was conferred the title Prince Bernadotte by Leopold of Belgium, it made sense them being brothers-in-law. But what was Grand Duchess Charlotte’s motivation?
The first Bernadotte-prince to become a ”Count of Wisborg” was Prince Oscar Duke of Gotland, the 2:nd son to King Oscar II and Queen Sofia, who lost his titles in 1888 upon marrying the lady-in-waiting Ebba Munck af Fulkila.

His maternal uncle Grand Duke Adolphe of Luxembourg created him ”Count of Wisborg” in the luxembourg nobility in 1892.

I guess it became natural for Gustaf VI Adolf to ask Grand Duchess Charlotte to do the same for his sons Sigvard and Carl-Johan, and their cousin Lennart, as the title already existed.
 
Regarding the Wisborg titles: is there any explanation why the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg of all people decided to confer those titles on the demoted Swedish princes? I mean, when Carl Bernadotte was conferred the title Prince Bernadotte by Leopold of Belgium, it made sense them being brothers-in-law. But what was Grand Duchess Charlotte’s motivation?
The Grand Duchess was asked by King Gustav Adolf to extend to the three Swedish ex-princes the same title that her grandfather, the Grand Duke Adolphe, had given to his nephew Prince Oscar in 1892.
 
Do late Count Lennart's children speak Swedish?
 
Do late Count Lennart's children speak Swedish?

Count Björn Bernadotte told a long time ago at a TV-interview, that he speaks Swedish and countess Bettina speaks Swedish and teaches Swedish also to her children. Since countess Sonja also spoke Swedish, I think all their children speak Swedish.

Countess Bettina's interview in Swedish, in 2008.

Count Lennart and countess Sonja's interview in Swedish in 1982.
 
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The 8th Lindau Nobel Meeting in Economic Sciences takes place from 26–30 August 2025. #LINOecon welcomes around 20 Economics Laureates in Lindau to exchange ideas with the next generation of leading Young Scientists from all over the world.
Countess Bettina Bernadotte, the President of the Council of the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
- gives the welcoming speech at the Opening ceremony at the Lindau Inselhalle 26.8.
- gives the welcoming speech at the Get-Together 27.8.
- gives the welcoming speech at the traditional Bavarian Evening 29.8.
- gives a speech at the Closing ceremony on Mainau Island 30.8.
 
Countess Bettina Bernadotte on Wednesday August 27 at The 8th Lindau Nobel Meeting in Economic Sciences, talking with young scientists
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Countess Bettina on Wednesday evening at the Get-Together -event.
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Countess Bettina Bernadotte on Thursday August 28 at The 8th Lindau Nobel Meeting in Economic Sciences.
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Countess Bettina at the Meeting on Friday August 29
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Countess Bettina on her Sweden dress at the traditional Bavarian evening on Friday August 29
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The last day of The 8th Lindau Nobel Meeting in Economic Sciences was held traditionally on Mainau Island yesterday, August 30.
Countess Bettina Bernadotte on the boat trip at ms Graf Zeppelin from Linday to Mainau Island
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Count Björn Bernadotte gave the welcoming speech
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Countess Bettina speaking with Nobel Laureate Brian P. Schmidt
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Countess Bettina waving to the people at ms Graf Zeppelin, when they were leaving the Mainau Island
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Countess Bettina Bernadotte has been interviewed in "Biz & Beyond" -podcast:
Countess Bernadotte on nature, Nobel Prizes and political storms
 
Christmas Garden Mainau Island will soon start its fifth season with even more magical lights
Golden autumn begins, and with it the anticipation of sparkling lights on Mainau Island: Starting November 18, the Christmas Garden on Mainau Island will shine with a newly designed audiovisual trail. The fifth edition of this traditional event is once again full of surprises, featuring numerous artistic highlights and lovingly arranged details. The Christmas Gardens delight audiences throughout Europe and are already expecting their 10 millionth guest this season, who may even be welcomed to the Christmas Garden on Mainau Island.
 
Count Björn Bernadotte and Hannes Jaennicke in an interview with BR presenter Andrea Lauterbach on the topic of living sustainability on the island of Mainau as a beacon for conscious implementation.

And while we're on the subject of heartfelt projects, let's definitely mention the heartfelt project of Countess Sandra Bernadotte, whose Café Vergissmeinnicht on Mainau Island shows young, disadvantaged people the path to an independent and multifaceted, responsible life. Countess Bernadotte's incredible commitment is beyond admirable!
 
The traditional Count's Castle Festival (Gräfliches Schlossfest) on October 2-5.
An exclusive shopping experience with a glimpse into historic rooms, hat fashion shows by Countess Diana Bernadotte, an arts and crafts market, and historic carriages: all this is offered again at the Count's Castle Festival on the island of Mainau.
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Count Bertil Bernadotte celebrates today his 90th birthday.
He was seen at the christening of princess Ines on June 13 with his wife Jill (78).
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Countess Bettina Bernadotte attended at the Sonja Bernadotte Prize ceremony:
The German Horticultural Society 1822 (DGG 1822) has awarded this year's Sonja Bernadotte Prize to Stefan Behr. Behr taught at the Sternschanze all-day elementary school in Hamburg for over 20 years and initiated the transformation of the outdoor area into a "Nature Experience Space."
Countess Bettina Bernadotte (Mainau Island): "The Sonja Bernadotte Prize honors people who courageously explore new ways to make nature accessible. With his project, Stefan Behr has created a school that integrates nature into the curriculum, thereby sustainably improving the children's living environment."

Count Björn Bernadotte attended the unveiling of "Award of Garden Excellence" on Mainau Island.
Mainau Island has been honored with one of the world's most prestigious awards in the field of garden design: The World Federation of Rose Societies (WFRS) honored Mainau's Italian Rose Garden with the coveted 'Award of Garden Excellence.' It was ceremoniously unveiled on site last Saturday, together with representatives of the World Rose Society.
 
Countess Bettina Bernadotte announced in May that she steps down from her role as Managing Director of Mainau GmbH. She remains on the Board of Directors of the Lennart Bernadotte Foundation, the sole owner of Mainau GmbH.

Press release from Mainau GmbH:
Mainau GmbH is changing its management: Michael Roensch will become a member of the management team on November 1, 2025.
"We are delighted to have found a leader in Michael Roensch who brings many years of experience in management positions and enjoys being involved in shaping the company. We are convinced that Mr. Roensch will contribute valuable expertise to the further development of Mainau GmbH, and we look forward to a fruitful collaboration," said count Björn Bernadotte, Managing Director of Mainau GmbH. In the future, count Björn Bernadotte and Michael Roensch will jointly manage the fortunes of Mainau GmbH.
Michael Roensch will be responsible for the commercial area, as well as the park, garden and forestry divisions, trade, and gastronomy. Count Björn Bernadotte will be responsible for infrastructure, sustainability, organizational development, human resources, communications, and marketing and sales.

 
Count Björn and countess Bettina Bernadotte attended the press launch of this year's Christmas Garden on Mainau (November 18, 2025, to January 5, 2026):
A life-sized illuminated Christmas bauble adorns the advertising posters for the Christmas Garden on Mainau Island. The creative team at Christmas Garden Deutschland GmbH was inspired by this year's island motto, "All Around Diversity," when designing the circular trail: Whether it's shimmering gold baubles, colorful illuminated discs, or countless sparkling points of light, the Christmas Garden on Mainau Island will be a complete package with a variety of stunning highlights.
Count Björn:
"The Christmas Garden is always a special highlight of the year for us, as it combines light and garden art with social interaction, bringing people together in a warm, magical atmosphere. This creates something that puts people of all ages in a contemplative mood for a few hours".
 
New exhibition on Mainau:
INSIGHTS - Mainau Castle and the Bernadotte family (October 17 - February 15, 2026)
The "INSIGHTS" exhibition opens doors that would otherwise remain closed: Visitors discover rarely accessible rooms of Mainau Castle and learn more about the rich history of the Bernadotte family. Personal mementos, historical finds, and narratives bring life between tradition and change to life.

One of the highlights of the exhibition in the castle's cabinet is the recreated office of Count Lennart Bernadotte, where visitors can learn more about the life and work of the Swedish prince and visionary. The original desk and other historic furniture bring the former Mainau managing director's workplace to life.
And how does the current generation of the Bernadotte family live? Answers to these questions can be found around the five life-size figures of the children of Lennart and Sonja Countess Bernadotte – Bettina, Björn, Catherina, Christian, and Diana. They not only serve as photo subjects, but also reveal fascinating details about the lives of their real-life counterparts.
 
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Countess Bettina Bernadotte at an event:
30 years of partnership: Post office on Mainau Island celebrates anniversary
In 1995, one of the very first partner branches opened on Mainau Island, nestled amidst a profusion of flowers. The post office, located in the foyer of the Butterfly House, is open 365 days a year.
Countess Bettina Bernadotte:
"For three decades, we have enjoyed a good and reliable partnership with Deutsche Post – a service that is equally valued by guests and employees".
 
Count Björn and countess Bettina Bernadotte at the 3rd Mainau Climate Dialogue:
What's next for climate-neutral shipping on Bodensee Lake? This question was the focus of the 3rd Mainau Climate Dialogue, which took place on November 10 at the Comturey on Mainau Island. Representatives from politics, administration, science, business, and civil society discussed pathways and perspectives for a sustainable future for shipping on Bodensee Lake.
“With the 3rd Mainau Climate Dialogue, we are thematically picking up where this series of events began in 2023. This gives us the opportunity to continue exploring this exciting topic and, at the same time, to evaluate what progress has already been made and where further action is needed,” said count Björn Bernadotte, Managing Board Member of the Lennart Bernadotte Foundation and Managing Director of Mainau GmbH, in his welcoming address.
 
The Christmas Garden on Mainau Island was officially opened last night. The newly designed circular route, featuring more than 30 sparkling light installations, can be experienced until January 5. In its fifth season, the Christmas Garden on Mainau Island offers visitors from the Lake Constance region a diverse range of highlights and imaginative light displays.

Last night, the fifth season of the Christmas Garden on Mainau Island was officially opened. The newly designed circular route, featuring more than 30 light installations, can be experienced until January 5, and promises visitors from the Lake Constance region a variety of highlights and imaginative displays.
Christian Doll, Managing Director of the organizer C² Concerts GmbH, along with Mainau Island Managing Directors Countess Bettina Bernadotte, Count Björn Bernadotte and Michael Roensch, welcomed around 200 premiere guests. Festive speeches set the tone for the evening while guests enjoyed hot drinks and winter cocktails in the Palm House. This was followed by a first tour of the colorfully illuminated, approximately three-kilometer-long Christmas Garden.

Sophia Bernadotte (left) at the vernissage of artist Dennis Duolee's exhibition at Restarant Parken, November 16, with fashion designer Göran Alfredsson.
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