PRINCESS MADELEINE, DUCHESS OF HäLSINGLAND AND GäSTRIKLAND

'Princess Madeleine, Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland' (Madeleine Thérèse Amelie Josephine; born 10 June 1982) 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 (behind her sister, Crown Princess Victoria and brother, Prince Carl Philip) and 187th in line to the British throne. Her fourth name, ''Josephine'', is in honour of her ancestress Josephine of Leuchtenberg (later Queen of Sweden and Norway under the name Josefina) the daughter of Eugène de Beauharnais, the son of Napoleon Bonaparte's first wife Joséphine. Princess Madeleine was born at Drottningholm Palace.
She was christened at The Royal Palace Church on 31 August 1982. Her godparents are Prince Andreas of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Walther Sommerlath, Princess Benedikte of Denmark, and Princess Christina, Mrs. Magnuson.

Contents

Education

Leisure pursuits

Charity work

Royal duties

See also

External links

Education

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 took 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 autumn of 2004, the Princess began a course in ethnology at the same university. She speaks English, German, and Swedish fluently, and also mid-level French. The Princess is currently taking graduate classes at University of Stockholm.

Leisure pursuits

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 under the name "Anna Svensson". She also enjoys skiing, and is very interested in culture, such as theatre, dance and art. In recognition of her age of majority in 2001 she was presented a scholarship fund by the Gävleborg province, which is made up of her duchies of Hälsingland and Gästrikland. It encourages and supports young people involved in horse riding, and for the first time in 2001 Princess Madeleine distributed awards such as 'Pony Rider of the Year with trainer in Gävleborg' and 'Gold Rider'.

Charity work

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). In 2006, she interned for UNICEF
for six months in New York City and worked for the division of Child Protective Services.

Royal duties

The Princess undertakes royal duties on behalf of her father and the people of Sweden.

See also

★ Swedish Royal Family

External links

★ The Royal Court of Sweden: Princess Madeleine

★ Princess Madeleine fan website and Photo Gallery

★ Princess Madeleine fan website