Astrid of Sweden
| Astrid of Sweden | |
|---|---|
Astrid, Duchess of Brabant, 1926
|
|
| Queen consort of the Belgians | |
| Tenure | 17 February 1934 – 29 August 1935 |
| Born |
17 November 1905 , Sweden |
| Died | 29 August 1935 (aged 29) Küssnacht am Rigi, Schwyz, Switzerland |
| Burial | Church of Our Lady of Laeken |
| Spouse | Leopold III of Belgium (m. 1926; her death 1935) |
| Issue |
Joséphine-Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg Baudouin of Belgium Albert II of Belgium |
| House | Bernadotte |
| Father | Prince Carl, Duke of Västergötland |
| Mother | Princess Ingeborg of Denmark |
Astrid Sofia Lovisa Thyraof Sweden (17 November 1905 – 29 August 1935) was Queen consort of the Belgians as the first wife of King Leopold III. By birth she was a princess of Sweden's royal House of Bernadotte. Her grandsons include King Philippe of Belgium and Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg.
Astrid was born at her parents' home of Arvfurstens Palats in on 17 November 1905, the third child and youngest daughter of Prince Carl, Duke of Västergötland, and his wife Princess Ingeborg of Denmark. Her father was the younger brother of King Gustav V of Sweden, and her mother was the younger sister of King Christian X of Denmark and of King Haakon VII of Norway. She had two elder sisters Princess Margaretha of Sweden and Princess Martha of Sweden and a younger brother Prince Carl Bernadotte.
As an eligible princess, Astrid was mentioned as a potential bride for a number of princes including the future Edward VIII of Great Britain and the future Olav V of Norway. Astrid's successful suitor was Crown Prince Leopold of Belgium.
In September 1926, their engagement was announced. 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."
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Wikipedia