Princess Désirée of Sweden dies at age 87

Princess Désirée, Baroness Silfverschiöld, the sister of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, has died at the age of 87. The Swedish Royal Court said she passed away peacefully at her home at Koberg Castle in Västergötland on 21 January 2026, surrounded by family.

King Carl XVI Gustaf ordered flags at Drottningholm Palace and Haga Palace to be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect. “Many warm family memories were created in the home of the Silfverschiöld family in Västergötland—a place in Sweden that meant a great deal to my sister. Together with my family, I send my condolences to Princess Désirée’s children and their families,” the King said.

Princess Désirée was born on 2 June 1938, the third daughter of Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten, and Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. She grew up with her three sisters at Haga Palace, collectively known as the “Haga Princesses.”

She married Baron Nils-August Otto Carl Niclas Silfverschiöld on 5 June 1964 in Stockholm. Because her husband was not of royal rank, she lost the style of Royal Highness but was granted the courtesy title Princess Désirée, Baroness Silfverschiöld. The couple had three children: Baron Carl Otto Edmund Silfverschiöld, Baroness Christina Louise Ewa Madeleine Silfverschiöld, and Baroness Hélène Ingeborg Sibylla Silfverschiöld.

Princess Désirée occasionally attended royal events in a semi-official capacity, including Nobel Prize festivities and state visits. She was widowed in 2017. She is survived by her three children—Baron Carl Otto Edmund Silfverschiöld, Baroness Christina-Louise Ewa Madeleine Silfverschiöld, and Baroness Hélène Ingeborg Sibylla Silfverschiöld—and their families. Details of her funeral will be announced later.

Her passing comes a year after the death of her sister, Princess Birgitta, and shortly before the Swedish Royal Family’s planned 50th wedding anniversary of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, as well as the King’s 80th birthday in June.