Princess Eugenia

Portrait of Princess Eugénie, photographed by Bertha Valerius. Photo from the Bernadotte Library's archive.

The Swedish Royal Family belongs to the Bernadotte dynasty, who have held the Swedish throne for over 200 years.

Princess Eugenia (Eugénie), 1830–1889

Eugénie was born Charlotta Eugenia Augusta Amalia in April 1830 at the Royal Palace of Stockholm, and was the fifth child and only daughter of Oskar (I) and Josefina of Leuchtenberg.

She sometimes felt lonely as a young girl, and said as an adult that when she was a child she often wished she had been born a boy.

Eugénie was described as being a strong believer and was an ecumenical Christian. She was also interested in painting, sculpting and writing music. As an only daughter, she inherited much of her mother Josefina of Leuchtenberg's jewellery. She sold several of these pieces, and donated the money to good causes.

Her own poor health led her to take an interest in healthcare, and she had Eugeniahemmet built in Stockholm for incurably sick children. She also established children's homes and a nursing home for the incurably sick in Visby on Gotland.

Princess Eugénie died at the Royal Palace of Stockholm in 1889.

Sketch of Princess Eugénie: A singing lesson with her brother, Prince Gustaf, in early spring 1849. "Brother Gustaf, Court Singer Mr Berg, Maid of Honour Mathilda Bennet and Eugénie."

Sketch of Princess Eugénie: A singing lesson with her brother, Prince Gustaf, in early spring 1849. "Brother Gustaf, Court Singer Mr Berg, Maid of Honour Mathilda Bennet and Eugénie." Photo: Alexis Daflos/royalcourt.se

To top