On Wednesday, December 4, the king died Carl XVI Gustafs sister, the princess Birgitta at the age of 87. She had lived in Mallorca since the mid-1990s but wished to be buried at home in Sweden at Haga Castle.
– With great sadness today I received the news that my sister, Princess Birgitta, has passed away. My sister was a colorful and forthright person who will be deeply missed by me and my family. Together with my entire family, today I send my condolences to Princess Birgitta’s children and grandchildren, Birgitta’s little brother the king said in a statement.
The next day, the flag outside Drottningholm Castle and Haga Castle was raised at half-mast.
READ MORE: Princess Birgitta is dead
Princess Birgitta lived in Mallorca – without appanage
The princess did not live in public like her brother the king does and like her sister Lilian did, but has not stood up for the public duties that follow when one is born into the Swedish royal family. Because of this, she also did not receive an apanage.
Princess Birgitta at the Nobel dinner 10 December 1960. Photo: Pressens Bild / TT. Princess Birgitta 1989. Photo: Janerik Henriksson/SvP/TT.
The funeral will take place “in the circle of the princess’s family” according to the princess’ wishes, according to the court. According to information to Expressen, however, it has been discussed on SVT whether to broadcast the funeral live or not, as was done during Princess Lilian’s funeral. But it differed a lot between the princesses, and the court has been clear.
– Princess Birgitta’s wishes regarding her funeral in Sweden was a private ceremony in the immediate family circle, says the court’s head of information Margaret Thorgren to the newspaper.
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Queen Silvia: “Like a shock”
Now the queen has Silvia spoke out about his sister-in-law’s passing. According to her, it came unexpectedly.
– It came so unexpectedly – yes, like a shock. I spoke to her the day before yesterday! says Queen Silvia in an interview with Svensk Dam, and continues:
– But she fell so unluckily and broke her arm. And then it ended. It is a great sadness.
Princess Birgitta 2014. Photo: Adam Ihse/TT. Princess Birgitta 2016. Photo: Lise Åserud/TT.
According to the newspaper was the queen dressed in black and white, with a wistful smile on her face.
– She was a very colorful person. And straight up, she always said what she thought. There were never any frills.
READ MORE: Everything about Princess Birgitta: Children, siblings, husband and residence