Countess Alice Trolle-Wachtmeister

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Sad news out of Sweden today, Countess Alice Trolle-Wachtmeister, former Mistress of the Robes of Queen Silvia, has died aged 91. Born in 1926 as the daughter of Erik Tornérhielm, a squire from Gedsholm, and Danish-born Ellen Valentiner-Branth, she received training as a child care nurse, as well as in air monitoring service and staff welfare services, before joining the Swedish Women’s Voluntary Defence Service in 1943. In 1949, Alice married Count Hans Gabriel Trolle-Wachtmeister. The couple lived at Trolle-Ljungby Castle in Scania. The Countess presided over the Swedish Women’s Voluntary Defence Service from 1974 to 1978, when she became a Statsfru (Head of the Queen’s staff), a high ranking official at the Swedish Royal Court. In 1994, she was promoted to the office of the Mistress of the Robes, and was the highest ranking non-royal woman in Sweden. In 2012, along with Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, the Speaker of the Parliament Per Westerberg and the Marshal of the Realm Svante Lindqvist, Countess Alice Trolle-Wachtmeister was presented the newborn Princess Estelle, Duchess of Östergötland and attended the announcement of the Princess’s names. Countess Alice retired from her post in 2015, but remained a valued advisor and close friend of the Swedish Royal Family. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on the evening of June 26th at Trolle-Ljungby Castle. My condolences to her family.

It is with great sadness that I and Queen received the news. Alice was a very close friend to us and to our family. With its warmth, loyalty and wisdom she has always been a great support. Our thoughts are with her husband, Count Hans-Gabriel Trolle-Wachtmeister, and to their families. ”— King Carl XVI Gustaf

As long as I can remember, Alice has been a support for my family and me personally. Alice was a rare intelligent and warm person that I’m glad I got to know. She leaves a big gap.” — Crown Princess Victoria

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UPDATE: The entire Swedish Royal Family attended the Funeral of Countess Alice Trolle-Wachtmeister on July 12th

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