Birgitta and Johann Georg marry in civil rites

both photos Marlene A Eilers Koenig collection

May 25, 1961


Princess Birgitta, 24,  the granddaughter of King Gustav VI Adolf of Sweden, was married today in Stockholm to Prince Johann Georg of Hohenzollern.

The marriage between the Lutheran princess and the Roman Catholic prince was a "glittering affair, although the ceremony was a civil one," according to the New York Times.  The civil marriage was performed at the Royal Palace by Stockholm Mayor Yngve Kristensson.

A 21-gun salute was fired after Princess Birgitta and 28-year-old Prince Johann Georg exchanged vows.    The princess wore a "wedding gown with a thirteen-foot train, a floor-length tulle veil, and a cameo-and-gold diadem."

The Prince and Princess entered the palace hall together, and were preceded by three courtiers, and "followed by two young bridesmaids and two boys known as marshals."

Princess Christina, the bride's youngest sister, and Princess Benedikte of Denmark were the bride's attendants.  Prince Johann Georg's attendants were Crown prince Carl Gustaf, the bride's younger brother, and Count Carl Johann, Count Michael, Count Alexander, and Count Bertil Bernadotte of Wisborg.

The actual service lasted for three minutes.    Just before noon, Princess Birgitta and Prince Johann Georg "walked up the aisle again and emerged into the brilliant spring sunshine."  They got into an open carriage to "ride in-state" through Stockholm.

The civil ceremony was required as the religious wedding will take place in West Germany in Sigmaringen on May 30.    Religious weddings are not legal marriages in West Germany.

Prince Johann Georg is studying for his doctorate in art history at the University of Munich.  The newlyweds will live in a four-room house until Johann Georg's studies are complete.  He plans "to devote his life to museum work."