Princess Madeleine, Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland
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Princess Madeleine, Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland (Madeleine Thérèse Amelie Josephine; born Drottningholm, 10 June 1982) is the youngest child and second daughter of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden.
She is third in line to the Swedish throne (behind her sister, Crown Princess Victoria and brother, Prince Carl Philip), and 195th in the Line of Succession to the British Throne through her father, who is a great-great-grandson of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. Her fourth name, Josephine, is in honour of her ancestress Josephine of Leuchtenberg (later Queen of Sweden and Norway under the name Josefina) the daughter of Eugène de Beauharnais, son of Napoleon Bonaparte's first wife Empress Joséphine by her first husband. Princess Madeleine was born at Drottningholm Palace.
The Princess was christened at The Royal Palace Church on 31 August 1982. Her godparents are Prince Andreas of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Walther Sommerlath, Princess Benedikte of Denmark, and Princess Christina, Mrs. Magnuson.
In 2008 she was included as 12th on the list of the "20 Hottest Young Royals" as compiled by Forbes Magazine.[1]
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[edit] Education
From 1985-89, the Princess began her education at Västerled Parish Pre-School. In the autumn of 1989, she entered Smedslättsskolan in Bromma, attending at the junior level. For the intermediate level, the Princess proceeded to Carlssons School in Stockholm, and then went on to Enskilda Gymnasiet in Stockholm, which she attended at the senior level. She also completed upper secondary school at Enskilda, from which she graduated in 2001.
During the autumn of 2001, the Princess lived in London where she studied English. In the spring of 2002, she took a basic course in law and studied for the European Computer Driving Licence. In January 2003, the Princess enrolled at the University of Stockholm where she began studies in the History of Art. She took 60 Swedish academical points in the subject (three terms). In the autumn of 2004, the Princess began a course in ethnology at the same university. She speaks English, German, and Swedish fluently, and also mid-level French. The Princess is currently taking graduate classes at University of Stockholm.
[edit] Leisure pursuits
Princess Madeleine is an enthusiastic rider. For many years, she owned several horses of her own (they were stabled at the Royal Mews) and also competed in showjumping under the name "Anna Svensson". She also enjoys skiing, and is very interested in the cultural world, particularly theatre, dance and art. In recognition of her age of majority in 2001, a scholarship fund was created in her name by the Gävleborg province, which comprises her duchies of Hälsingland and Gästrikland. It encourages and supports young people involved in horse riding. In 2001, Princess Madeleine first distributed such awards as 'Pony Rider of the Year with trainer in Gävleborg' and 'Gold Rider'.
[edit] Charity work
The Princess is the patron of the organisation Min Stora Dag (the Swedish equivalent of Make-A-Wish Foundation, more commonly known as My Big Day, its translation into English). In 2006, she interned for UNICEF for six months in New York City and worked for the division of Child Protective Services.
[edit] Royal duties
The Princess undertakes royal duties on behalf of her father and the people of Sweden.
[edit] Engagement and marriage
On 11 August 2009, the Princess announced her engagement to her longterm boyfriend since 2002, lawyer Jonas Bergström. After the wedding, Mr. Bergström will be referred to by the courtesy version of his wife's title: the Duke of Hälsingland and Gästrikland.
The Princess said in her engagement interview that they became engaged in Capri in early June 2009. The wedding will take place in autumn or winter 2010. An engagement dinner took place on the engagement day in Solliden Palace in Öland.
[edit] Ancestry
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "The 20 Hottest Young Royals - 12. Princess Madeline". Forbes. 2008-05-27. http://www.forbes.com/2008/05/23/royals-celebrity-monarchs-biz-billies-cz_ls_0527royals_slide_13.html. Retrieved 2008-06-04.
[edit] External links
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Princess Madeleine, Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland
Born: 10 June 1982 |
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| Preceded by Prince Carl Philip |
Line of succession to the Swedish throne 3rd position |
End of line |
| Preceded by Princess Victoria |
Line of succession to the British throne 193rd position |
Succeeded by Princess Margaretha, Mrs. Ambler |
