Engagement of Prince Bertil of Sweden and Lilian Craig

The Swedish Royal Court announced the Engagement of Prince Bertil of Sweden and Lilian Craig at the Villa Solbacken in Stockholm on this day in 1976, 50 years ago, following a 34-year relationship in which they choose Duty over Love!

Prince Bertil of Sweden, Duke of Halland, son of King Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden and Princess Margaret of Connaught, announced his engagement to former Welsh Actress Lilian Craig at the Villa Solbacken in Stockholm.

The Prince, then heir to the Swedish Throne, and the Welsh actress Lilian Craig were lovers for over 34 years but did not marry in order to preserve his place in the line of succession, in case his nephew, King Carl Gustav, came to throne before reaching the age of majority. They only announced their engagement after the King’s Wedding earlier that year.

Prince Bertil reflected that ‘There’s only one thing we regret and that’s that we haven’t been able to get married earlier so we haven’t been able to have children, it’s a bit sad, but after all, we are still very happy, aren’t we?’ Lilian looked at him as he squeezed her hand and answered:– ‘Very!’