PRINCESS Birgitta of Sweden, the second sister of King Carl XVI Gustaf, has died at the age of 87, the Swedish Royal Palace announced.
The royal, who was married to the late Prince Johann Georg of Hohenzollern, had been living in Mallorca.
While the cause of her death has not been disclosed, the palace confirmed the news on Instagram, noting that she leaves behind three children and their families.
In a statement, King Carl XVI Gustaf expressed his sorrow, saying: “With great sadness today, I have received the news that my sister, Princess Birgitta, has died.
“My sister was a colourful and straightforward person who will be deeply missed by me and my family.
“Together with my entire family, I send my condolences to Princess Birgitta’s children and grandchildren.”
Princess Birgitta, who studied gymnastics at the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, had three children — Prince Carl, Princess Desiree, and Prince Hubertus — with her art historian husband.
Unlike her sisters, she retained her royal title after marriage, as her husband was of equal royal rank.
Princess Birgitta, born in 1937 at Haga Castle, was the second eldest child of Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf and Princess Sibylla.
Dedicated to charitable causes, she co-founded the HELP Foundation, which supports vulnerable children worldwide.
A passionate golfer, she also organised her own tournament, the Princess Birgitta Trophy, held at her home course in Spain.
In a 2009 Summer Program on P1, Birgitta expressed her commitment to children’s welfare, saying: “Whenever people ask what I want to do for charity, I always reply: only if it’s about children, because they are our future.”
Although Birgitta separated from her husband, Prince Johann Georg of Hohenzollern, in 1990, the two remained married.
Johann lived in Munich while Birgitta resided in Spain.
Johann passed away in 2016 at the age of 83.
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