Swedish Count Carl Johan Bernadotte dies at 95
May 6, 2012, 12:30 PM
STOCKHOLM (AP) – Count Carl Johan Bernadotte, who lost his Swedish royal title and succession rights when he married a commoner, has died. He was 95.
Bernadotte died on Saturday at a hospital in Angelholm, in southern Sweden, Royal Court spokesman Bertil Ternert said Sunday. The court did not disclose the cause of death.
Bernadotte was the youngest of King Gustaf VI Adolf’s five children, and an uncle of the current Swedish monarch, King Carl XVI Gustaf. He was also a great grandchild of Britain’s Queen Victoria.
Bernadotte lost his “prince” title and his succession rights to the Swedish throne when he married Swedish journalist Kerstin Wijkmark in New York in 1946.
Unlike his brother Sigvard, who also married a commoner, he didn’t try to have his princely title restored.
Bernadotte later received the title Count of Wisborg from the Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg.
He remarried in 1988 after his first wife died.
Bernadotte is survived by his second wife, Gunnila, two adopted children from his first marriage and six grandchildren.
The court gave no information Sunday about funeral arrangements.
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