The third daughter of Prince Gustaf Adolf of Sweden, Duke of Västerbotten and Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, she was the older sister of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and grew up at Haga Palace, and was educated at home, starting royal duties even before her 18th birthday.
Désirée was one of the four “sesses at Haga”, as they were called. She grew up at Haga Palace with her four siblings Princess Margaretha, Princess Birgitta, Princess Christina and Crown Prince Carl (XVI) Gustaf. Princess Désirée was named after the consort of Karl XIV Johan.
Childhood was a wonderful time with lots of play and closeness to nature and animals. Their nanny Ingrid “Nenne” Björnberg came to have a great importance for the prince’s children, and she was a great support for them when their father Gustaf Adolf tragically died in a plane crash at Kastrup in 1947.
Princess Désirée’s first schooling was given privately at the Royal Palace in a small class of girls her age. When Haga Palace was to be renovated, the family temporarily moved into the Royal Palace in the Old Town, but then decided to stay there.
Princess Désirée attended ballet school and took piano lessons with her sister Princess Birgitta. In 1950, Princess Désirée started at the French School in Stockholm. For two months in 1955, she attended a school in Château d’Oeux in Switzerland. In 1958, she completed a course in infant care at the Sällskapet Barnavård. She graduated in 1960 from the Social Pedagogical Seminary as a preschool teacher, or kindergarten teacher as the title was then. During her studies at the Social Pedagogical Seminary, she did an internship at the Kungsklippan playhouse and the Crown Princess Lovisa Children’s Hospital. The principal noted that Princess Désirée had the ability to inspire children in their games, that she was empathetic and very popular. After her education, she did an internship at the Tomteboda Blind Institute.
Princess Désirée began a two-year textile course at Konstfack in 1962, where she learned things like pattern sketching, free embroidery, and tapestry weaving. Her creativity developed already in elementary school, where her favorite subjects were drawing and needlework.
Désirée enjoyed skiing and slalom skiing, sports interests that had existed since childhood when it was something the family enjoyed doing.
In 1963, Princess Désirée married Baron Niclas Silfverschiöld. The couple had three children and resided at Castle Koberg and Gasevadholm Castle until his death in 2017.
In connection with the engagement, it was also announced that after the marriage, the princess would bear the title “Princess Désirée, Baroness Silfverschiöld”. Princess Desirée and Baron Niclas Silfverschiöld were married in the Great Church in Stockholm on 5 June 1964.
After the marriage, the Silfverschiöld couple moved into the Silfverschiöld family estate of Koberg in Västergötland. The Silfverschiöld couple shared several great interests, such as horseback riding, skiing and clay pigeon shooting. They had children Carl (1965), Christina (1966) and Hélène (1968).
Princess Désirée wanted to devote her time to her family, whom she valued highly, but sometimes participated in inaugurations and award ceremonies. For example, in 1985, she presented the Hasselblad Prize to photographer Irving Penn. Princess Désirée was an artistic, popular and child-loving person. As she herself put it:
“I’m lucky. I’m really grateful that I’m healthy. And then there’s the joy in the children and grandchildren. I love my grandchildren and I think they like their grandmother too.”
Queen Louise’s Diamond Tiara
Napoleonic Cut Steel Tiara
Cameo Tiara
Turquoise Daisy Bandeau
Napoleonic Amethyst Tiara
Baden Fringe Tiara
Swedish Aquamarine Kokoshnik Tiara
Princess Lilian’s Laurel Wreath Tiara
Princess Sofia’s Wedding Tiara
King Carl XVI Gustaf’s Portrait Brooch
Embed from Getty Images
Happy Birthday to Princess Désirée, Baroness Silfverschiöld, who turns 80 today! The third daughter of Prince Gustaf Adolf of Sweden, Duke of Västerbotten and Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, she is the older sister of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. She grew up at Haga Palace, and was educated at home, starting royal duties even before her 18th birthday. In 1963, Princess Désirée married Baron Niclas Silfverschiöld. The couple had three children and resided at Castle Koberg and Gasevadholm Castle until his death last year. Like her sisters, Princess Désirée does not undertake royal duties, but does attend some royal events. I wish HRH a very Happy Birthday and many Happy Returns!
Click HERE to learn about her Tiara!
I love her wee tiara! Even though it is her personal property, I’m sure she wouldn’t object to her grand-niece Estelle borrowing it (just like Princess Madeleine and now Crown Princess Victoria borrow the Aquamarine from their auntie Princess Margaretha). I think it is the perfect “starter tiara” for a future queen. It’s small but very sparkly and with unquestionable royal pedigree as it was the personal property of Queen Louise. In any case, I wish Princess Désirée joy on her birthday!