Svenska Prinsessor
2024-05-22
Early Life
Born: November 17, 1905, in Stockholm, Sweden.
Parents: Prince Carl, Duke of Västergötland, and Princess Ingeborg of Denmark.
Siblings: She was the youngest of four children, with two sisters, Margaretha and Märtha, and a brother, Carl.
Marriage and Becoming Queen of Belgium
Engagement and Marriage:
Engagement: In September 1926, Astrid became engaged to Prince Leopold of Belgium, the heir to the Belgian throne.
Marriage: They married in a civil ceremony on November 4, 1926, in Stockholm, followed by a religious ceremony on November 10, 1926, in Brussels.
Children:
Princess Joséphine-Charlotte (born 1927): Later Grand Duchess of Luxembourg.
King Baudouin (born 1930): Became King of Belgium in 1951.
King Albert II (born 1934): Became King of Belgium in 1993.
Queen of Belgium
Becoming Queen:
When King Albert I of Belgium died in a climbing accident in 1934, Prince Leopold became King Leopold III, and Astrid became Queen of the Belgians.
Role and Influence:
As Queen, Astrid quickly became beloved for her warmth, compassion, and dedication to social causes.
She took a keen interest in the welfare of the Belgian people, particularly focusing on issues related to children and healthcare.
Her natural charm and approachability made her a very popular figure both in Belgium and internationally.
Tragic Death
Accident:
On August 29, 1935, Queen Astrid died in a car accident in Küssnacht am Rigi, Switzerland. She was only 29 years old.
The car, driven by King Leopold III, veered off the road and crashed into a tree. The king survived with minor injuries, but Astrid was killed instantly.
Legacy
Impact on Belgium:
Queen Astrid's death was a profound shock to the Belgian nation. She was deeply mourned by the public, and her memory has been cherished ever since.
Several memorials and places are named in her honor, including the Queen Astrid Memorial in Switzerland, and various streets and institutions in Belgium.
Cultural Legacy:
Her life and tragic death have been the subject of numerous books and documentaries, highlighting her influence and the affection with which she was regarded.
Family Legacy:
Her children went on to play significant roles in European royalty. Her son, King Baudouin, and her other son, King Albert II, both became kings of Belgium, continuing her legacy of service and dedication to their country.
Conclusion
Princess Astrid of Sweden, as Queen of Belgium, left an indelible mark on the hearts of the Belgian people and her legacy continues to be honored. Her story is one of grace, compassion, and tragic early loss, but her influence endures through her descendants and the lasting affection of the public.
Princess Louise Josephine Eugenie of Sweden was the older child of Charles XV of Sweden and Louise of the Netherlands. Louise had 1 younger brother, Carl, who tragically died as a toddler. Because Louise was the only child of the current monarch, Charles XV attempted to adjust Sweden’s succession rules in order for Louise to one day become Queen of Sweden after his death. His attempts were never successful, as females were barred from the line of succession.
Louise was doted on by her parents growing up, and had children’s balls arranged for her at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. She received a good education, and even took swimming lessons with her mother when she was 11 years old, which was unheard of for females at the time.
In 1868, Louise became engaged to Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark, and spent the year before their wedding educating herself on the Danish language and culture. They were officially married in 1869. In the next 20 years, Louise and Frederick had 8 children together.
Louise struggled to adapt to the stricter life at the Danish court. She did not get along with her in-laws except sister-in-law Princess Thyra. However, she was very popular with the public and was considered to be intelligent and devoted to her royal duties. Her cheekiness and straightforwardness did not help her in her relationship with her mother-in-law, Queen Louise, who ostracized Crown Princess Louise on a few occasions. Frederick’s adultery was also upsetting for Louise.
Louise was a strict but very loving mother, and preferred a more discreet life. She and Frederick became involved in numerous charity projects. Frederick’s father, Christian IX, died in 1906 and Frederick immediately succeeded him. However, Louise’s role as Queen Consort was cut short just 6 years later when Frederick himself died. Louise became Queen Dowager while her son, Christian X, became king.
Louise died on 20 March 1926 at the age of 74 in the Amalienborg Palace, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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