HRH Princess Lilian, Princess of Sweden, Duchess of Halland died at the age of 97 earlier this week and was laid to rest today in Stockholm. According to the Swedish Royal Court, the funeral service was held at the Royal Chapel at the Royal Palace with her family in attendance. In addition to TM King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, TRH Crown Princess Victoria and Crown Prince Daniel, HRH Prince Carl Philip, HRH Princess Madeleine and Mr. Chris O’Neill, and the King’s four sisters, foreign royals were also in attendance. HM Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, who was a niece of the Princess by marriage, and HH Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner of Norway joined in paying their respects.
The service was clearly emotional for the children of the King, as Princess Lilian was often cited as the grandmother they never had. Queen Silvia held the hand of her son during the ceremony which featured the Swedish flag draped over the Princess’ coffin and a crown once belonging to Sweden's Princess Eugenie on top. Princess Lilian’s difficult love story with Prince Bertil was captured in a poignant moment when the bishop said: "It was a declaration of love, to be there without being seen. In this life choice of hers, there must have been a lot of pain.” The couple lived together for more than three decades before finally being allowed to marry. Bertil, who was the King’s uncle, once admitted that one of his biggest regrets was that the couple did not have children in order to protect the throne. Prince Bertil died in 1997.
Following the service the Princess was buried in the Royal Cemetery at Haga Park. Once the first shovel of dirt was placed in the grave a 21 gun salute was fired in her honor. After the burial the royal family hosted a lunch for special guests at the palace.
Want to read more of the latest royal news? Then hit the "subscribe" button at the top of the page! You can also follow me on Twitter or Facebook.
Comments