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Princess Astrid of Sweden was born on November 17, 1905. She was the youngest daughter of Prince Charles of Sweden, Duke of Vastergotland, and Princess Ingeborg of Denmark. Astrid's grandparents were King Oscar II of Sweden and King Frederick VIII of Denmark. Astrid's sister, Princess Martha, married the future King Olaf V of Norway. Her eldest sister, Princess Margaretha married Prince Axel of Denmark, while her only brother Prince Carl, Duke of Ostergotland, married morganatically. At an evening ball, Astrid, a ravishing Swedish princess, danced all night with one of Europe's best looking princes, Leopold of Belgium. A little timid, Astrid did not dare look into the eyes of her handsome companion. Leopold's furtive eyes only made Astrid feel that all control was being lost to the charms of her dance partner. And as the night progressed, Leopold and Astrid never left each other's side. Some months later, King Albert I and Queen Elisabeth of Belgium invited the press to the royal palace in Brussels. "The Queen and I, declared Albert, would like to announce to you the impending marriage between Prince Leopold, Duke of Brabant and the Princess Astrid of Sweden. We are convinced that the princess will bring joy and happiness to our son. Leopold and Astrid have decided to join their lives without any pressures or reasons of state. Theirs is a true union among people with the same inclinations." Queen Elisabeth, incorrigible romantic that she was, insisted in saying "It is a marriage of love...tell it to our people. Nothing was arranged. Not a single political consideration prevailed in our son's decision." Leopold and Astrid were married in Brussels on November 10, 1926. Astrid was immediately adopted by the Belgians. She was tender, understanding and profoundly human. Her public and official engagements irradiated enthusiasm. Leopold was her most fervent admirer. The love shared by the young couple was evident to all. In more than one occasion people could see them holding hands, even during official engagements. Astrid had a personal touch. She moved with the people in the parks and on the street. She very quickly chamed the Belgian people. She was tragically killed in an automobile accident in August 1935 while Leopold was at the wheel.
She was the youngest daughter of Prince Charles of Sweden, Duke of Vastergotland, and Princess Ingeborg of Denmark. Astrid's grandparents were King Oscar II of Sweden and King Frederick VIII of Denmark.
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. .
Princess Astrid's mother was Ingeborg Charlotte of Schleswig-Holstein. Her father was King Frederick VII of Denmark (1843- ). Her mother was Louise Josephine Eugénie (Bernadotte) of Sweden (1851- ).
Princess Astrid had three brothers and sisters. The first was Maretha Sophie Louise (1899- ). She married Prince Axel of Denmark. The next child was Märtha Sophie Louise (1901- ) became Crown Princess. Princess Martha, married the future King Olaf V of Norway. Astrid Sophie Louise (1905- ) was thre third child. The last child was Carl Gustaf Oscar Frederick (1911- ). Princess Astrid's only brother Prince Carl, Duke of Ostergotland, married morganatically.
Princess Astrid of Sweden was born on November 17, 1905.
At an evening ball, Astrid, a ravishing Swedish princess, danced all night with one of Europe's best looking princes, Leopold of Belgium. A little timid, Astrid did not dare look into the eyes of her handsome companion. Leopold's furtive eyes only made Astrid feel that all control was being lost to the charms of her dance partner. And as the night progressed, Leopold and Astrid never left each other's side. Some months later, King Albert I and Queen Elisabeth of Belgium invited the press to the royal palace in Brussels. "The Queen and I, declared Albert, would like to announce to you the impending marriage between Prince Leopold, Duke of Brabant and the Princess Astrid of Sweden. We are convinced that the princess will bring joy and happiness to our son. Leopold and Astrid have decided to join their lives without any pressures or reasons of state. Theirs is a true union among people with the same inclinations." Queen Elisabeth, incorrigible romantic that she was, insisted in saying "It is a marriage of love...tell it to our people. Nothing was arranged. Not a single political consideration prevailed in our son's decision."
Leopold and Astrid were married in Brussels on November 10, 1926.
Astrid was immediately adopted by the Belgians. She was tender, understanding and profoundly human. Her public and official engagements irradiated enthusiasm. Leopold was her most fervent admirer. The love shared by the young couple was evident to all. In more than one occasion people could see them holding hands, even during official engagements. Astrid had a personal touch. She moved with the people in the parks and on the street. She was not insistent on protocol. She very quickly charmed the Belgian people who were impressed with her modesty.
Astrid gave birth to her first child in 1927. Their first child, Josephine-Charlotte, was born in 1927, but as she was a girl was not a potential heir. The Belgian press in 1930 gave extensive coverage to the birth of the long awaited royal heir. Leopold was on his way to visit some areas away from Brussels when the Duchess of Brabant went into labor. The royal palace immediately sent him a telegram that reached Leopold at a stop during his journey. The royal palace's message announced the impending birth of the couple's second child. Without thinking twice about the day's engagements, Leopold returned to Brussels immediately. Prince Leopold and King Albert walked anxiously in the garden at Stuyvenberg Palace while the Duchess of Brabant began her labor. Next to Astrid were her mother, Princess Ingeborg of Sweden, and her mother-in-law Queen Elisabeth. At 4:15 pm the royal physicians proudly announced the healthy birth of a little prince. The sound of cannon silenced the general happiness expressed by the people of Brussels. Baudouin was named in memory of his deceased great-uncle who was supposed to have been king. He would eventually become king when his father abdigated in 1951. Astrid a few months after becoming Queen in 1934 gave birth to yet another little prince, Albert (Prince of Liege). He would also become king when his older brother did not have any children. Leopold had a three more children with his second wife Marie Lilianne Baels, Princess de Rethy, Alexandre, Marie-Christine, and Maria-Esmeralda.
HBC has some limited information on how the first two boys (Baudouin and Albert) were dressed. They were clearlily not dressed in the fancy styles that Leopold and Charles wore as boys. The only photographs we have of the princes so far shows them dressed in short and long pants sailor suits, a variety of short pants outfits as younger boys, and short pants suits as older boys. One photograph of Prince Baudouin at about 8 or 9 years of age wearing a long pants sailor suit and strap shoes. More information is available on Alexander. Leopold's mother died tragically when he was about 5 years old. His father remarried when he was about 11 so his step mother presumably played an important role at an older age. Marie Lilianne Baels, Leopold's second wife dressed their child together, Alexabder, in very fashionable clothes as a younger boy.
At Stuyvenberg, not far away from Laeken Palace, the young Duchess of Brabant, raised in the simplicity of the Scandinavian courts, joyfully raised her growing family. At a small villa in the palace grounds, Astrid cooked for her family. And every time she could, Astrid would stroll along the Avenue Louise with her children. The Court Marshall vehemently protested against these promenades. "They break protocol," he would say. Yet in her simplicity, Astrid would retort by saying "But I'm just another mother, am I not?" She even went as far as joining the crowds during a military revue in an effort to see her promenading husband at the head of his regiment.
Albert died died in a tragic mountain climbing accident near Namur in 1934 and was succeeded by his son Leopold III, who would face the Germans Nazis in World War II. Albert's death was mourned universally.
Leopold III (1901-1983) ascended the throne in 1934. On February 23, 1934, just days after the tragic climbing accident which claimed King Albert's life, Leopold and Astrid made their solemn entry into Parliament. The new monarchs were accompanied by rincess Josephine-Charlotte and Prince Baudouin. Leopold swore allegiance to the country's constitution while claiming that he "would give myself entirely to the country." Astrid, transported by the events she was witnessing lifted her young son and offered him to Belgian nation. A new reign had been inaugurated.
The popularity of the Belgian royal family new no bounds. Astrid's only regret was not being able to spend more time with the children. In August, 1935, the royal couple, accompanied by their two eldest children, traveled to their villa Haslihorn, on the shores of Lake Geneva, Switzerland. The placid vacation allowed Leopold and Astrid to spend considerable time walking and climbing in the countryside. The day before their return to Brussels, Leopold and Astrid decided to go for one last excursion. Like his father, Leopold was an avid mountaineer, and had climbed the Dolomites several times. The children had already returned to Brussels.
The monarchs on August 29, 1935, left their villa for a last fateful climb. Driving his sports car along the winding, narrow roads of the region, Leopold was looking forward to the day's events. Seated next to him, Astrid helped her husband with directions to their destination. Just a few minutes before arriving at the village of Kussnacht-am-Rigi, Astrid pointed out something to her husband. Leopold took his eyesight away from the road for an instant. Suddenly, the car plunged down a ravine. Queen Astrid was violently ejected from the automobile. Her lifeless body laid on the grass near the wreckage. Witnesses recalled a single scream, "Astrid," as a devastated Leopold held her bloodied body next to his chest. The King and the children as well as the Belgian people were devestated.
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