April 30, 1946
Hereditary Princess Sibylla of Sweden gave birth to a son today at Haga Palace, in Solna, Sweden, reports the Associated Press.
King Gustav V "rejoiced" at the news of the birth of his great-grandson, the first direct male heir to be born in 40 years.
An 84 naval guns salute announced the birth of a prince, who is third in line to the throne after his grandfather, Crown Prince Gustav Adolf, and his father, Hereditary Prince Gustav Adolf.
King Gustav. recently recovered from influenza, made his first appearance since Easter as he was driven in the rain to Haga Palace to see his new great-grandson.
The new prince's names and ducal title were announced in a brief session of the King's Cabinet Council: Carl Gustaf Folke Hubertus, Duke of Jämtland.
The New York Times reports "the whole of Sweden received the news with extreme joy" as the new prince assures the Bernadotte succession. The Swedish succession is males only, which means the Hereditary Prince and his wife have four daughters, Princess Margaretha, Princess Birgitta, Princess Desiree, and Princess Christina cannot succeed to the throne.
All but one of the Hereditary Prince's brothers lost their rights to the throne when they married commoners. Prince Bertil remains unmarried.
The current line of succession in Sweden is as follows: Crown Prince Gustav Adolf, 63, Hereditary Gustav Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten, 40, Prince Carl Gustav, Prince Bertil, Duke of Halland 34, Prince Wilhelm, Duke of Södermanland, 61 (younger son of the King), Prince Carl, Duke of Västergötland, 85 (younger brother of the King), and Prince Eugen, Duke of Närke, 80, (the youngest brother of the King.
Prince Eugen, a gifted artist, is unmarried. Lennart and Carl, the only sons of Prince Wilhelm and Prince Carl ceased to have dynastic rights when they married commoners.
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| All images Marlene A. Eilers Koenig collection |
I have rarely seen children who are look as much as they would later as adults while still very young. (I am afraid that this is awkwardly worded, sorry! ) Each Princess is easily recognizable as the striking women they would become, and The King still retains his boyish charm. It was a treat to see this photos. Thank you.
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