Princess Madeleine Biography

Princess Madeleine of Sweden (Madeleine Thérèse Amelie Josephine Bernadotte), born on June 10, 1982, Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland, is the youngest child and second daughter of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden. She is third in line to the Swedish throne. Her fourth name, Josephine, is in honor of her ancestress Josephine Bonaparte, the first wife of Napoleon. Princess Madeleine was born at Drottningholm Palace.

During the years 1985-89, the Princess attended Västerled Parish Pre-School. In the autumn of 1989, she started Smedslättsskolan in Bromma, which she attended at the junior level. For the intermediate level, the Princess attended Carlssons School in Stockholm, and then proceeding from there to Enskilda Gymnasiet in Stockholm, which she attended at the senior level. Her upper secondary school was also spent at Enskilda Gymnasiet, from where she graduated in 2001.

During the autumn of 2001, the Princess lived in London where she studied English. Then in the spring of 2002, she continued with a basic course in law and studied for the European Computer Driving Licence. During the autumn of 2002, the Princess prepared for her coming university studies by deepening her knowledge in various subjects. In January 2003, the Princess enrolled at the University of Stockholm where she began studies in the History of Art. She took 60 Swedish academical points in the subject (three terms). In the fall of 2004, the Princess began a course in ethnology at the same university. She speaks English and German fluently, and it is rumored, French as well.

Princess Madeleine is an enthusiastic rider, and for many years she owned several horses of her own (they were placed at the Royal Mews) and also competed in showjumping. She also enjoys skiing, and is very interested in culture, such as theatre, dance and art.

The Princess is the protector of the organisation Min Stora Dag (the Swedish equivalent of Make-a-Wish Foundation, more commonly known as My Big Day, its translation into English).