View source for Astrid of Sweden

{{Short description|Queen of the Belgians from 1934 to 1935}}
{{About|the Belgian queen consort}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox royalty
|consort=yes
| succession      = [[Queen consort of the Belgians]]
| image           = Astrid av Sverige.jpg
| caption         = Queen Astrid in 1935
| reign           = 23 February 1934 – 29 August 1935
| spouse          = {{marriage|[[Leopold III of Belgium]]|4 November 1926}}
| issue           = {{ubli|[[Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium|Joséphine-Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg]]|[[Baudouin of Belgium|Baudouin, King of the Belgians]]|[[Albert II of Belgium|Albert II, King of the Belgians]]}}
| house           = [[House of Bernadotte|Bernadotte]]
| full name       = Astrid Sofia Lovisa Thyra<ref>''[[Burke's Peerage|Burke's Royal Families of the World]]'' {{ISBN|0 85011 023 8}} p. 514 (spelling of her full name as baptized)</ref>
| father          = [[Prince Carl, Duke of Västergötland]]
| mother          = [[Princess Ingeborg of Denmark]]
| birth_date      = {{Birth date|df=yes|1905|11|17}}
| birth_place     = [[Arvfurstens palats]], [[Stockholm]], Sweden
| death_date      = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1935|8|29|1905|11|17}}
| death_place     = [[Küssnacht|Küssnacht am Rigi]], [[Canton of Schwyz|Schwyz]], Switzerland
| burial_place    = [[Church of Our Lady of Laeken]], [[Brussels]], Belgium 
| burial_date     = 3 September 1935
}}
'''Astrid of Sweden''' (Astrid Sofia Lovisa Thyra; 17 November 1905 – 29 August 1935) was a member of the Swedish House of Bernadotte and later became [[Queen of the Belgians]] as the first wife of [[Leopold III of Belgium|King Leopold III]]. Following her marriage to Leopold in November 1926, she assumed the title of [[Duchess of Brabant (by marriage)|Duchess of Brabant]].<ref name="kungahuset">{{Cite web |title=Princess Astrid |url=https://www.kungahuset.se/english/royal-house/the-bernadotte-dynasty/princess-astrid |access-date=11 August 2022 |website=www.kungahuset.se |language=en}}</ref> Astrid held the position of Queen of the Belgians from 23 February 1934 until her death in 1935. Known for her charitable efforts, she focused particularly on causes related to women and children.

Astrid and Leopold had three children. Their daughter, [[Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium|Joséphine-Charlotte]], later became the [[Grand Duchess consort of Luxembourg|Grand Duchess Consort of Luxembourg]], while their sons both ascended the throne as [[King of the Belgians]]. Their son [[Albert II of Belgium|King Albert II]] named his first daughter, [[Princess Astrid of Belgium]], after his mother. Queen Astrid was the sister of [[Princess Märtha of Sweden|Crown Princess Märtha of Norway]] (the wife of the future King [[Olav V]]).

==Early life==
[[File:H. K. H. Prinsessan Ingeborg med Prinsessorna Margareta, Märta och Astrid (1910).jpg|thumb|left|Princess Astrid (centre) with her mother [[Princess Ingeborg of Denmark|Princess Ingeborg]] and two sisters, [[Princess Margaretha of Sweden|Princess Margaretha]] (left) and [[Princess Märtha of Sweden|Princess Märtha]] (right).]]

Princess Astrid was born on 17 November 1905 at her parents’ then-residence, the ''[[Arvfurstens Palats]]'' at [[Gustav Adolfs torg, Stockholm|Gustav Adolfs Torg]] in central [[Stockholm]].<ref name="kungahuset"/> She was the third child and youngest daughter of [[Prince Carl, Duke of Västergötland]], and his wife, [[Princess Ingeborg of Denmark]]. Her father was the third son of [[Oscar II]], King of Sweden and Norway, by his wife, [[Sophia of Nassau]], and was a younger brother of King [[Gustav V of Sweden]]. Astrid’s mother was a daughter of King [[Frederik VIII of Denmark]] by his wife, [[Louise of Sweden]], and the younger sister of kings [[Christian X of Denmark]] and [[Haakon VII of Norway]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ingeborg of Denmark (1878–1958) {{!}} Encyclopedia.com |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/women/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/ingeborg-denmark-1878-1958 |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=www.encyclopedia.com}}</ref>

Astrid had two elder sisters, [[Princess Margaretha of Sweden|Margaretha, Princess Axel of Denmark]], and [[Märtha, Crown Princess of Norway]], as well as a younger brother, [[Prince Carl Bernadotte]] (prev. Prince Carl of Sweden, Duke of Östergötland).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Astrid of Sweden (1905–1935) {{!}} Encyclopedia.com |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/women/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/astrid-sweden-1905-1935 |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=www.encyclopedia.com}}</ref>

Astrid grew up with her sisters and younger brother at ''Byström's Villa'' (also known as Prince Carl's Palace) on the island [[Djurgården]] in central Stockholm until 1923, when the family had to leave the house for financial reasons. After 1909, holidays were spent at the family's summer residence ''Villa Fridhem''' by [[Bråviken]], a bay of the [[Baltic Sea]] near [[Norrköping]]. Astrid was raised with a strict education and little luxury. She attended the Sint Botvid boarding school, where lessons were taught in [[French language|French]], then went on to the Akerstrom-Soderstrom finishing school, where she studied sewing, piano, ballet and childcare.{{CN|date=May 2024}} After she finished school, Astrid worked at a Stockholm orphanage where she cared for children.{{CN|date=May 2024}}

==Engagement and wedding==
{{multiple images
| total_width = 350
| align = right
| image1 = Princess Astrid engaged in 1926.jpg
| caption1 = Astrid and Leopold's engagement photograph
| image2 = Leopold of Belgium and Astrid of Sweden on their wedding day.jpg
| caption2 = Astrid and Leopold on their wedding day
}}
Due to her royal status, Astrid was named as a potential bride for a number of princes, including the future [[Edward VIII of the United Kingdom]] and the future [[Olav V of Norway]]. 

In September 1926, her engagement with [[Leopold III of Belgium|Prince Leopold of Belgium, Duke of Brabant]] was announced. The King said: "The Queen and I would like to announce to you the impending marriage between Prince Leopold, Duke of Brabant, and Princess Astrid of Sweden. We are convinced that the princess will bring joy and happiness to our son. Leopold and Astrid have decided to join their lives without any pressures or reasons of state. Theirs is a true union among people with the same inclinations." Queen Elizabeth said: "It is a marriage of love... tell it to our people. Nothing was arranged. Not a single political consideration prevailed in our son's decision."

Princess Astrid entered into a [[civil marriage]] with Prince Leopold in [[Stockholm]] on 4 November 1926, and the pair were married religiously in [[Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula]], Brussels on 10 November 1926. The couple travelled separately to [[Antwerp]] after their civil marriage and reunited in Belgium. The religious marriage was attended by a large wedding party of young friends and relatives: [[Princess Feodora of Denmark]], [[Marie José of Belgium|Princess Marie-José of Belgium]], [[Princess Märtha of Sweden]], [[Princess Ingrid of Sweden]], Alfhild Ekelund, [[Prince Carl, Duke of Västergötland|Prince Carl of Sweden]], [[Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten|Prince Gustav Adolf of Sweden]], [[Olav V of Norway|Crown Prince Olav of Norway]], Margareta Stähl, Count Claes Sparre, Anna Adelswärd, [[Prince Charles of Belgium]], [[Count Folke Bernadotte]], [[Nobel family|Baron Sigvard Beck-Friis]], Anne Marie von Essen, and [[List of Swedish noble families|Baron Carl Strömfelt]].{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}

Princess Astrid was given a tiara created by Belgian jeweler Van Bever as a wedding gift from the Belgian government. The original version of the diadem is a flexible diamond bandeau in a stylized [[Greek key (art)|Greek key motif]] topped with 11 large diamonds on spikes. These large stones, totaling around 100 carats on their own, symbolized the nine provinces of Belgium and the now former Belgian colony of the [[Belgian Congo|Congo]].{{CN|date=November 2021}} She later added a set of diamond arches to enclose each of the 11 independent stones. After Astrid's death, the tiara was in King Leopold's possession, and his second wife [[Lilian, Princess of Réthy]] wore parts of the tiara, but not the full set of gems, as Lilian never held the title of Queen. Leopold abdicated the throne in favor of his son [[Baudouin of Belgium|Baudouin]]; when Baudouin married, Leopold gave the tiara to the new queen, [[Queen Fabiola of Belgium|Fabiola]], who wore it on her wedding day. She handed the jewel over after Baudouin's death to be worn by [[Queen Paola]] who, after the abdication of her husband [[Albert II of Belgium|Albert]], gave it to [[Queen Mathilde of Belgium|Mathilde]], the new Queen of the Belgians.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mathilde, queen of Belgium {{!}} Facts, Biography, & Children {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mathilde-queen-of-Belgium |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Duchess of Brabant==
[[File:Crown_princess_Astrid_1926.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Astrid as Duchess of Brabant in 1926]]

The Duke and Duchess of Brabant spent their honeymoon in the [[south of France]] before moving into a wing of the [[Royal Palace of Brussels]]. After the honeymoon period, Princess Astrid began learning [[French language|French]] and [[Dutch language|Dutch]].{{CN|date=May 2024}} Astrid was enthusiastically adopted by the Belgians for her beauty, charm and simplicity. As the Duchess of Brabant, she worked to alleviate various forms of adversity.<ref name="kungahuset"/>

[[File:Leopoldo ed Astrid del Belgio in Alfa Romeo 2.JPG|thumb|Astrid and Leopold visiting [[Alfa Romeo]] in Italy]]
In October 1927, Leopold and Astrid had a daughter, [[Princess Joséphine Charlotte of Belgium|Princess Joséphine-Charlotte]], later [[Grand Duchess of Luxembourg]] and mother of [[Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg]]. The birth of Joséphine-Charlotte was a difficult period for Astrid, as women were barred from the line of succession to the throne.<ref name="kungahuset" /> One year later, she and her husband visited the [[Dutch East Indies]], now [[Indonesia]].<ref name="m.cnnindonesia.com">{{cite web|last1=Priherdityo|first1=Endro|title=Kisah Cinta Putri Belgia Masih Tersimpan di Kebun Raya Bogor|url=https://m.cnnindonesia.com/gaya-hidup/20160316144002-269-117829/kisah-cinta-putri-belgia-masih-tersimpan-di-kebun-raya-bogor|trans-title=The Memory of Belgian Princess's Love Story Is Still Saved in the Bogor Botanical Garden|website=CNN Indonesia|access-date=23 October 2018|date=16 March 2016|language= id}}</ref> They arrived on the ship ''Insulinde''.<ref name="historia">{{cite web|last1=Janti|first1=Nur|title=Kunjungan Putra Mahkota Belgia Leopold dan Putri Astrid ke Hindia Belanda|url=https://historia.id/kultur/articles/kunjungan-putra-mahkota-belgia-leopold-dan-putri-astrid-ke-hindia-belanda-6jMp5|trans-title=Visit of the Belgian Crown Prince Leopold and Princess Astrid to the Dutch East Indies|website=Historia|access-date=30 May 2021|date=17 June 2020|language= id}}</ref> When the couple visited [[Surakarta]], Astrid and her husband received a box with a golden [[kris]] inside as a present from the Dutch East Indies government.<ref name="historia" /> Princess Astrid received a box with a fan inlaid with gold inside as a gift.<ref name="historia" /> Local people admired Princess Astrid's warm, enthusiastic, and less formal attitude.<ref name="historia" /> The couple visited Radio Poestoko Museum and Societet Habiprojo, where they watched a [[wayang]] show.<ref name="historia" /> They also visited [[Surabaya]] and [[Bali]].<ref name="historia"/> After having spent five months in the Dutch East Indies, the couple travelled back to Belgium on the ship ''Tjerimai''.<ref name="historia" /> Upon their return, the couple moved into [[Stuyvenberg Castle]].{{CN|date=May 2024}} In September 1930, Astrid gave birth to [[Baudouin of Belgium|Prince Baudouin]], who eventually became [[King of the Belgians]].{{CN|date=November 2021}}

Raised as a [[Lutheran]], Astrid converted to [[Catholicism]] after marrying Leopold. She had considered converting to Catholicism earlier, as it was the official religion of [[Belgium]], but delayed her conversion after consulting with Fr William Hemmick, who told her to wait until she genuinely believed it was the true religion.<ref>''More Joy Than Pain'', 1991, by Lars Rooth pp.&nbsp;84–85</ref> Astrid converted to Catholicism in 1930, confiding to a close childhood friend: "My soul has found peace."<ref>Quoted by Anna Sparre in ''Astrid mon amie'', 2005, p.&nbsp;128</ref> On the day of Astrid's conversion, her father-in-law King Albert I said: "I am glad, very glad. Now all the family is united in the same religion."<ref>Quoted by Charles d'Ydewalle in ''Albert and the Belgians: Portrait of a King'', 2005, p.&nbsp;259</ref>

In 1932, Astrid and her husband traveled to [[Asia]] and the [[Belgian Congo|Congo]]. According to a May 1933 print of ''[[De Locomotief]]'', the photographs of their visit to the Dutch East Indies were published as a collection in a book titled ''De Reis van Prins Leopold door Ned-Indie''.<ref name="historia"/> After their visit to the Congo, Astrid wrote to her friend Countess Anna Sparre ([[née]] Baroness Anna Adelswärd) about the majestic landscapes of Congo land and her concerns about suffering, poverty and infant mortality that the Congolese faced.<ref name="annasparre"/>

The Duchess of Brabant became a godmother to Anna Sparre's daughter, Christina,<ref> Sparre, Anna. ''Astrid mon amie''. 2005. ""But I promised I would look after my god-daughter, Christina, if something happened to you," she answered, trying to smile."</ref> and her sister [[Princess Märtha of Sweden|Crown Princess Märtha]]'s second daughter, [[Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner|Princess Astrid]].{{CN|date=November 2021}}

== Queen ==
On 17 February 1934, King Albert I died in a [[mountain-climbing]] accident in [[Marche-les-Dames]], Belgium. Leopold and Astrid became the new King and Queen of the Belgians. Later that year, the third child of Leopold and Astrid was born. He was named [[Albert II of Belgium|''Albert'']] after his grandfather, and would eventually succeed his brother Baudouin as [[King of the Belgians]]. The present King of the Belgians, [[Philippe of Belgium|Philippe]], is Albert's son.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Philippe, King of the Belgians {{!}} Biography & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Philippe-King-of-the-Belgians |access-date=2025-08-09 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>

As Queen of the Belgians, Astrid dedicated her time to raising her children and promoting social causes that brought her into contact with the Belgians. She was concerned by the situations of women, children, and disadvantaged people. During an economic crisis in Belgium in 1935 she organized the collection of clothing, money and food for the poor through an open letter, published as the "Queen’s Appeal." Queen Astrid also visited poor settlements in Belgium.<ref name="annasparre">Sparre, Anna. ''Astrid mon amie''. 2005.</ref>

Queen Astrid was particularly interested in training women formally in childcare and healthcare.<ref name=queenastrid>Koninckx, Christian; Libert-Vandenhove, Louise-Marie. ''Astrid: 1905-1935'' (2005). pp. 103-115.</ref> She also supported the training of young girls as dressmakers to better their career opportunities.<ref name=queenastrid/> She supported Catholic charitable institutions, such as the [[Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul]], and liberal organizations, such as the ''Fédération des Foyers Belges''.<ref name=queenastrid/> She also gave audiences to advocates of [[women's rights]] such as [[Marthe de Kerchove de Denterghem|Baroness Marthe Boël]], president of the [[National Council of Belgian Women]].<ref name=queenastrid/>

In May 1935, Queen Astrid patronized Milk Week, an effort to encourage Belgians to drink healthy beverages. She charged Gatien du Parc, one of her courtiers, with the task of preparing a detailed report on milk regulations in foreign countries after a strict investigation.<ref name=queenastrid/> Queen Astrid often did charitable works as part of a Relief Committee.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5oQAHLFF_U&t=17s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/y5oQAHLFF_U| archive-date=11 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=Koningin Astrid van België (1935)|language=Dutch|date=18 April 2019|accessdate=3 April 2021|via=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>{{BSN|date=November 2021}}<gallery style="text-align:center;" mode="packed" heights="200" caption="The Queen Astrid at the Royal Palace in Bruxelles in 1934 (by [[Willem van de Poll]])">
File:Koning Leopold III en koningin Astrid in hun paleis te Laken, Bestanddeelnr 252-1573.jpg
File:Koningin Astrid in het paleis te Laken, Bestanddeelnr 252-1576.jpg
File:Koningin Astrid in het paleis te Laken aan het bloemschikken, Bestanddeelnr 252-1577.jpg
File:Koningin Astrid van België met een assistente, Bestanddeelnr 255-8607.jpg
File:Koningin Astrid in het paleis te Laken aan haar schrijftafel, Bestanddeelnr 252-1578.jpg
File:Koningin Astrid in het paleis te Laken met haar zoon Albert, Bestanddeelnr 252-1581.jpg
File:Prinses Astrid van België met prins Albert, Bestanddeelnr 254-5635.jpg
</gallery>

== Hobbies and personality ==
Queen Astrid had a warm, friendly, social, and charming personality.{{CN|date=November 2021}} According to her friend Countess Anna Sparre, Astrid was a shy and insecure woman—a disposition she believes may have been influenced by Astrid's mother favoring her elder sister Märtha.<ref name="annasparre"/> Apparently a timid and fragile woman, Astrid could be fierce and stern when she had to defend a wronged loved one.<ref>Sparre, Anna. ''Astrid mon amie''. 2005. p. 114</ref>

She collected Swedish folk art and enjoyed sports such as [[swimming]], [[skiing]], [[climbing]], [[horseback riding]] and [[golf]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Princess Astrid celebrates her 80th birthday |url=http://www.royalcourt.no/nyhet.html?tid=96876&sek=27262 |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=www.royalcourt.no |language=en}}</ref>

==Death==
[[File:Funeral of Astrid of Sweden.JPG|thumb|Funeral of Astrid]]In August 1935, the King and Queen went [[Anonymity|incognito]] to their holiday home, ''Villa Haslihorn'' in [[Horw]], on the shores of [[Lake Lucerne]], Switzerland. [[Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium|Joséphine-Charlotte]] and Baudouin travelled with their parents, while the one-year-old Prince Albert remained in Brussels.

On 29 August 1935, the King and Queen went for a last [[hiking|hike]] in the mountains before returning home. Their chauffeur was sitting in the back of the [[Packard One-Twenty]] convertible; the King was driving and the Queen looking at a map. At approximately 9:30 am the Queen pointed out something to her husband, who looked away from the road. The car left the road, travelled down a steep slope, and collided with a pear tree. Queen Astrid, who was pregnant with her fourth child, had opened her door in an attempt to jump off but was thrown out upon impact, dying instantly after striking her head on the trunk of the tree while the car hit a second tree. She was only 29 years old.

Queen Astrid is interred in the royal vault at the [[Church of Our Lady of Laeken]], Brussels, beside her husband, King Leopold III, and his second wife, [[Lilian, Princess of Réthy]].

==Legacy==
=== Folklore ===
{{ill|Alexei Schwarzenbach|fr}}, a Swiss historian, describes how Queen Astrid entered folklore in Belgium and Switzerland.<ref name="Schwarzenbach">''Réactions à la mort de la reine Astrid, 1905-1935'', document of historian {{ill|Alexei Schwarzenbach|fr}}.</ref> Months after her death, newlyweds brought flowers to the place where the Queen died.<ref name="Schwarzenbach"/> The chapel visitors would also bring wreaths and candles.<ref name="Schwarzenbach"/> The visits peaked on [[feasts]] of [[All Saints Day|All Saints]] and [[All Souls Day|All Souls]].<ref name="Schwarzenbach"/> The Queen was described as an icon of beauty, kindness, romance, marriage, and as a model [[Catholic]].<ref name="Schwarzenbach"/> The Mayor of Küssnacht told the Belgian Ambassador to Switzerland: "It is on pilgrimage that these couples arrive here from all over the canton. These young newlyweds, in bridal dress, whom you saw visiting the place where Queen Astrid died, are imploring her protection. Your young Queen has become part of Swiss legend; she is, for our people, who have beatified her in their hearts, the symbol of maternal love and conjugal fidelity."<ref name="Schwarzenbach"/>

===Memorials===
[[File:Astrid-Kapelle-8.jpg|thumb|left|Astrid Chapel and The King's Cross.]]

In 1935, the Belgian postal authorities issued a [[postage stamp]] showing her portrait outlined in black. This is known as the ''Astrid Mourning'' issue. Later that same year, it released a series of anti-tuberculosis fund stamps with the same design.<ref>Stanley Gibbons Simplified catalogue. Stamps of the World, 1985 Edition</ref> {{ill|Place de la Reine-Astrid|fr}} in [[8th arrondissement of Paris]] was named in her memory.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.paristoric.com/index.php/transports-et-voirie/places/3324-la-place-de-la-reine-astrid|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919053606/http://paristoric.com/index.php/transports-et-voirie/places/3324-la-place-de-la-reine-astrid|url-status=usurped|archive-date=19 September 2020|title=LA PLACE DE LA REINE ASTRID|website=paristoric.com|language=French|access-date=15 April 2021}}</ref>

A commemorative chapel named ''Astrid Chapel''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.zug-tourismus.ch/attraktionen/astrid-kapelle-kuessnacht-am-rigi-9581dc4cf3|title=ASTRID KAPELLE KÜSSNACHT AM RIGI|website=zug-tourismus.ch|access-date=15 April 2021|archive-date=22 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122203117/https://www.zug-tourismus.ch/attraktionen/astrid-kapelle-kuessnacht-am-rigi-9581dc4cf3|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rigi.ch/attraktionen/astrid-kapelle-kuessnacht-am-rigi-4c998ac5ea|title=Astrid Kapelle, Küssnacht am Rigi|website=rigi.ch}}</ref> was built in Switzerland at the site of the crash. The Swiss government gave the land to Belgium a year after Astrid's death and the chapel was built in the style of a [[Walloons|Walloon]] country church.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nzz.ch/belgischer-koenig-auf-kurzvisite-in-kuessnacht-1.7371471 |title=Bericht über den Besuch des Belgischen Königs Albert II. in Küssnacht|website=Neue Zürcher Zeitung |date=29 August 2010 |access-date=6 February 2017}}</ref> The chapel has become a destination for Swedish and Belgian tourists.<ref name="nzz.ch"/> ''The King's Cross'', built where the Queen died in her husband's arms, is made from Swedish granite.<ref>Schwarzenbach, Alexei (1998). ''Rêves Royaux. Réactions à la mort de la reine Astrid, 1905-1935''. p. 22.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tdg.ch/suisse/mort-reine-astrid-roi-belges-lieux-drame/story/31198832|title=Mort de la reine Astrid: le roi des Belges sur les lieux du drame|website=tdg.ch|date=29 August 2015|language=French|trans-title=Death of Queen Astrid: the King of the Belgians at the scene of the tragedy}}</ref> A museum nearby holds images and memorabilia of the event, including a shard from the windshield and the trunk of the pear tree. The tree itself fell after a storm in 1992. The car was sunk at a deep part of the [[Vierwaldstättersee]] at the request of the king.<ref name="nzz.ch">[http://mobile.nzz.ch/panorama/der_belgische_koenig_kommt_nach_kuessnacht_1.7322006.html Der belgische König kommt nach Küssnacht] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426081836/http://mobile.nzz.ch/panorama/der_belgische_koenig_kommt_nach_kuessnacht_1.7322006.html |date=26 April 2012 }} ''[[Neue Zürcher Zeitung]]''</ref>

A memorial was built by the architect Paul Bonduelle in [[Laeken]], [[Belgium]], and inaugurated on 21 July 1938. The building, which is in the late [[Neoclassical architecture|neo-classical]] style, faces the [[Church of Our Lady of Laeken]] and backs onto the [[Palace of Laeken]]. The same year, on the initiative of the local Veterans' Front, a bronze bust of the Queen was erected in Wisterzée Park in [[Court-Saint-Étienne]], Belgium, by sculptor [[Victor Rousseau]].{{CN|date=November 2021}}

Astrid Avenue in [[Bogor Botanical Garden]] in [[Indonesia]] was named after her while she was honeymooning there with her spouse in 1928. The avenue is decorated with spectacular displays of [[Canna (plant)|canna]] lilies of various colors.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.lovelybogor.com/taman-astrid-kebun-raya-bogor/|title= Taman Astrid - Kebun Raya Bogor|work= Lovely Bogor|language=id}}</ref><ref name="m.cnnindonesia.com"/> The Swedish layer cake [[Princess cake]] was named after Astrid and her two sisters when they were children.<ref>{{Cite web| url =http://www.cisionwire.se/frodinge-mejeri/traditionsenlig-tartfrossa---prinsessyra-baddar-for-prinsesstartans-vecka-2| title =Traditionsenlig tårtfrossa - Prinsessyra bäddar för prinsesstårtans vecka| access-date =19 December 2009| date =17 September 2009| publisher =[[Cision]]wire| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20101017062034/http://www.cisionwire.se/frodinge-mejeri/traditionsenlig-tartfrossa---prinsessyra-baddar-for-prinsesstartans-vecka-2| archive-date =17 October 2010| language =sv| url-status =dead}}
</ref><ref>{{Cite web
| url = http://www.bakingobsession.com/2009/02/24/swedish-princess-cake/ 
| title = Swedish Princess Cake 
| access-date = 26 January 2014 
| author = Vera       
| date = 24 February 2009
}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=November 2021}}

=== Names ===
Four of her descendants were named Astrid to honour her: her granddaughters [[Princess Marie-Astrid of Luxembourg]], [[Princess Astrid of Belgium]], her great-granddaughter [[Princess Marie-Astrid of Liechtenstein]] and her great-great-granddaughter Archduchess Anna Astrid of Austria-Este. Her niece [[Princess Astrid of Norway]] (later Mrs. Ferner) was also named in her honour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.royalcourt.no/nyhet.html?tid=96935&sek=27262|title=Princess Astrid celebrates her 80th birthday|date=11 February 2012|work=Norwegian Royal House|access-date=28 September 2019|archive-date=23 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123044504/https://www.royalcourt.no/nyhet.html?tid=96935&sek=27262|url-status=dead}}</ref> Her husband [[King Leopold III]]'s first daughter with his second wife [[Lilian Baels]], [[Princess Marie-Christine|Princess Marie-Christine Daphné Astrid Élisabeth Léopoldine]] of Belgium (b. 1951), was named after her.

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
File:Kortrijk Astridpark-6.JPG|Statue of Astrid in a park at [[Kortrijk]] named for her.
File:Belgique - Bruxelles - Mémorial Reine Astrid - 01.jpg|<div style="text-align:center">Queen Astrid Memorial in [[Laeken]]<br>(architect Paul Bonduelle, 1938).</div>
File:Belgique - Bruxelles - Mémorial Reine Astrid - 13.jpg|<div style="text-align:center">Statue of the Queen in the Queen Astrid Memorial in Laeken.</div>
File:Belgique - Parc de Wisterzée - Reine Astrid - 03.jpg|<div style="text-align:center">Bronze bust of the Queen in [[Court-Saint-Étienne]]<br>([[Victor Rousseau]], 1938).</div>
</gallery>

==Arms==
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
| [[File:Alliance Coat of Arms of King Leopold III and Queen Astrid.svg|250px]]<br>Alliance Coat of Arms of King Leopold III<br> and Queen Astrid of Belgium
| [[File:Royal Monogram of Queen Astrid of Belgium.svg|155px]]<br>Royal Monogram of Queen Astrid <br>of Belgium
|}

==Ancestry==
{{See also|Descendants of Christian IX of Denmark}}

{{ahnentafel
|collapsed=yes |align=center
|boxstyle_1=background-color: #fcc;
|boxstyle_2=background-color: #fb9;
|boxstyle_3=background-color: #ffc;
|boxstyle_4=background-color: #bfc;
|1= 1. '''Princess Astrid of Sweden'''
|2= 2. [[Prince Carl, Duke of Västergötland]]
|3= 3. [[Princess Ingeborg of Denmark]]
|4= 4. [[Oscar II of Sweden]]
|5= 5. [[Sophia of Nassau|Princess Sophia of Nassau]]
|6= 6. [[Frederik VIII of Denmark]]
|7= 7. [[Princess Louise of Sweden]]
|8= 8. [[Oscar I of Sweden]]
|9= 9. [[Josephine of Leuchtenberg|Princess Joséphine of Leuchtenberg]]
|10= 10. [[William, Duke of Nassau]]
|11= 11. [[Princess Pauline of Württemberg (1810–1856)|Princess Pauline of Württemberg]]
|12= 12. [[Christian IX of Denmark]]
|13= 13. [[Princess Louise of Hesse-Kassel]]
|14= 14. [[Charles XV of Sweden]]
|15= 15. [[Princess Louise of the Netherlands]]
}}

==References==
===Citations===
{{reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin|30em}}
* Catherine Barjansky. "Portraits with Backgrounds."
* Art Beeche. "The Snow Princess."
* Robert Capelle. "Dix-huit ans auprès du Roi Léopold."
* Charles d'Ydewalle. "Albert and the Belgians: Portrait of a King."
* Evelyn Graham. "Albert King of the Belgians."
* {{Cite book|last1=Lerche|first1=Anna|last2=Mandal|first2=Marcus|year=2003|title=A royal family : the story of Christian IX and his European descendants|location=Copenhagen|publisher=Aschehoug|isbn=9788715109577}}
* Luciano Regolo. "La Regina Incompresa."
* Lars Rooth. "More Joy Than Pain."
* {{Cite book|last1=Sparre|first1=Anna|year=2005|title=Astrid, mon amie|location=Brussels|publisher=Luc Pire|isbn=9782874155161|language=fr}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Astrid of Sweden}}
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFZoc0hqHww Royal Love Match (1926)], newsreel on the [[British Pathé]] YouTube Channel
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRSalvXhPwU Tragic Death of the Queen of the Belgians (1935)], newsreel on the [[British Pathé]] YouTube Channel
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110706133707/http://www.cegesoma.be/docs/media/chtp_beg/chtp_03/008_schwarzenbach_chtp3.pdf Portraits of the Nation: Postage Stamps and National Identity]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051201060427/http://www.imprint.co.uk/books/Belien_4.pdf The making of a Belgicist] reference to Villa Haslihorn
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20181003045938/http://www.packardclub.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=786 Packard Club] images from the Packard car after the accident
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081224034120/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,748959,00.html BELGIUM: Death of Astrid] ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' article
* {{PM20|FID=pe/000719}}

{{S-start}}
{{S-hou|[[House of Bernadotte]]|17 November|1905|29 August|1935}}
{{S-roy|be}}
|-
{{S-bef|before=[[Elisabeth of Bavaria (1876–1965)|Elisabeth of Bavaria]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=[[Queen consort of the Belgians]]
|years=1934–1935}}
{{S-vac|next=[[Fabiola de Mora y Aragón]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{House of Bernadotte}}
{{Swedish princesses}}
{{Belgian princesses by marriage}}
{{Princesses of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha by marriage}}
{{Belgian consorts}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Astrid Of Sweden}}
[[Category:1905 births]]
[[Category:1935 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:Duchesses of Brabant]]
[[Category:Queens consort of Belgium]]
[[Category:Naturalised citizens of Belgium]]
[[Category:Princesses of Sweden]]
[[Category:House of Bernadotte]]
[[Category:Princesses of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha by marriage]]
[[Category:Dames of Malta]]
[[Category:Converts to Roman Catholicism from Lutheranism]]
[[Category:Swedish Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:Road incident deaths in Switzerland]]
[[Category:Princesses of Belgium]]
[[Category:Belgian people of Swedish descent]]
[[Category:Burials at the Church of Our Lady of Laeken]]
[[Category:House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (Belgium)]]
[[Category:Mothers of Belgian monarchs]]