Swedish Princess Lilian died Sunday at the age of 97, leaving behind a legacy that includes a 33 year secret romance with her very own Prince Charming. The Swedish Royal Court confirmed the late Prince Bertil's wife's death on its website with a short statement:
"Princess Lilian passed away on Sunday March 10 at the age of 97. Princess Lilian died peacefully during the afternoon at her home on Djurgården in Stockholm. Princess Lilian was married to Prince Bertil, The King's uncle."
The Swedish princess' death comes 30 years after she was finally able to marry her secret lover, Prince Bertil. Married at the time they met in 1943, Lilian May Davies eventually divorced. However, the couple was forced to live together in secrecy for more than 33 years because Prince Bertil was a series contender for the throne and King Gustav VI Adolph would not give his blessing, CNN reports. At the time, royal succession laws forbid possible heirs from marrying commoners.
Two of Prince Bertil's brothers had waived their right to the throne by marrying commoners and his remaining brother was killed in a plane crash. That left only Bertil's infant nephew, now King Carl XVI Gustaf, between him and the throne.
By the time King Carl took the throne, Prince Bertil and Princess Lilan were finally able to marry and appear together in public. They wed in 1974 at Drottningholm Palace Chapel.
Due to their age at marriage, the couple never had children.
Prince Bertil died in 1997 at the age of 1997. In 2010, Princess Lilian stepped away from royal duties after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.
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