Figure 1.--Here is Prince Carl's four children. Two of the girls became quueens and very popular queens. The boy was Prince Carl Jr. Notice his fancy blouse. It looks to have been taken about 1916.

Prince Carl of Sweden and Norway, Oscar Carl Vilhelm, Duke of Västergötland was the son of King Oscar II. Prince Carl was born (1861). As the King's third son, he was far down the line of sucession and unlikely to inherit the throne. Two of his children, however, became highly popular queens. Prince Carl married Princess Ingeborg of Denmark (1897). They had four children, three boys and a girl. Princess Margaretha (1899-1977) was the oldest child. Princess Märtha was the next child (1901-54). She married the Crown prince of Norway. Princess Astrid (1905-1935) was his third daughter. She married Belgian King Leopold III. Prince Carl's only son was Prince Carl (1911-2003), Duke of Östergötland. He was known as Carl Jr. He later was awarded the title of Prince Bernadotte (a Belgian title). As Norway moved toward independence, Prince Carl was considered as a candidate for the new Norwegian crown. The union of Norway and Sweden was a personal union of the monarchy. Thus choosing a Swedish royal seemed to be moderate approach to independence. His father, King Oscar II, however, did not approve and remained adamently opposed to Norwegian independence. . King Oscar appointed Pribce Carl a Knight of the Norwegian lion just before Norwegian independence (1904). by King Oscar II. Another Scandinavian prince was chosen, Danish Prince Haakon VII was chosen. Ironically Prince Carl's daughter Princess Märtha, married Haakon VII's son, King Olav V. The present King Harald V of Norway is thus a grandchild of Prince Carl. And Belgian Kings Baudouin and Albert were his grandchildren.

Created: 7:28 PM 7/27/2008
Last updated: 7:28 PM 7/27/2008