Royal Watch News

Princess Lilian of Sweden dies aged 97

Mar 11, 2013, 12:02 GMT

Princess Lilian of Sweden

Princess Lilian of Sweden has died aged 97.

The country's Royal Palace has confirmed the Welsh-born princess - who suffered from Alzheimer's disease and had been in poor health for a number of years - passed away at her home in Stockholm yesterday (10.03.13), and Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt has paid tribute to the monarch.

He said in a statement: 'It is with sorrow that I have learnt that H.R.H. (Her Royal Highness) Princess Lilian is dead.

'A much loved and appreciated member of the royal family has now passed away.'

Lilian - who was known as the Forbidden Princess - waited more than three decades to tie the knot to her lifelong lover Prince Bertil of Sweden, who was known in the country as Prince Charming.

While still married to Scottish actor Ivan Craig - who she wed in September 1940 before divorcing in 1945 - Lilian met Bertil in 1943 and, because of her divorcee status, the pair later moved to Sweden in secret to live together in 1957.

The couple - who didn't have any children - finally married in 1976 and remained together until his death in 1997.

Speaking in 1995, Lilian - who was born in Swansea, south Wales, on August 30, 1915 - said: 'If I were to sum up my life, everything has been about my love. He's a great man, and I love him.'

Lilian recalled her blossoming romance with Bertil in her 2000 memoirs, 'My Life with Prince Bertil', and described the moment the pair first met at London's Les Ambassadeurs nightclub shortly before her 28th birthday.

She wrote: 'He was so handsome my prince. Especially in uniform. So charming and thoughtful. And so funny. Oh how we laughed together.'

Lilian took over some of her husband's duties after his passing, mainly as an award presenter for various sports associations.

During her early years Lilian moved to London aged 16 to pursue a career as a ballerina, singer and fashion model.