THE GUARDIAN: One of royal households best-kept secrets, her relationship with Prince Bertil was seen as threat to Bernadotte dynasty
She was one of the better-kept secrets of Sweden's royal household: a commoner and divorcee whose relationship with Prince Bertil was seen as a threat to the Bernadotte dynasty.
In a touching royal romance, Welsh-born Princess Lilian and the prince kept their love unofficial for decades and were both in their 60s when they finally received the king's blessing to get married.
Lilian died in her Stockholm home on Sunday at the age of 97. The royal palace didn't give a cause of death but Lilian suffered from Alzheimer's disease and had been in poor health for several years.
She met Sweden's Prince Bertil in 1943, but his obligations to the throne and Lilian's status as a divorced commoner prevented them from making their love public. The couple's sacrifices and lifelong dedication to one another gripped the hearts of Swedes.
"If I were to sum up my life, everything has been about my love," the princess said of her husband when she turned 80 in 1995. "He's a great man, and I love him." » | Associated Press | Monday, March 11, 2013
THE DAILY BEAST: Princess Lilian of Sweden: Beloved Princess who was banned from marrying her royal sweetheart for 30 years » | Tom Sykes | Monday, March 11, 2013
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