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Hotel Astrid
27, avenue Carnot
75017 Paris - France
Tel.: 33 (0)1 44 09 26 00
Fax: 33 (0)1 44 09 26 01
[email protected]

This princess who settled in Belgium from colder climes was manna from Sweden. Born on 17 November 1905, in the royal palace of Stockholm, she was the daughter of Prince Charles of Sweden, Duke of Vastergotland, who was the son of King Oscar II and Princess Ingeborg, the daughter of Frederik VIII of Denmark. Astrid Sophie Thyra Louise, a beauty with her pale grey eyes and raven locks and a bright, mischievous character, was educated in the traditional manner of young ladies of good standing. She had a passion for the tales and legends of her country. Her favourites were the wonderful adventures of Nils Holgersson by author, Selma Lagerlöf, who spoke highly of her young reader as "a child as pure and innocent as the driven snow".

Princess Astrid inherited a country that she was barely familiar with and gradually gave it her singularly personal imprimatur. She instinctively knew how to reach out to peoples' hearts.

On 4 November 1926, Leopold married Princess Astrid of Sweden. The young bride wore a Brussels lace veil. A great love match…

Astrid arrives at Antwerp to be met by Leopold. Her greeting was to become her hallmark. Prince Charles of Sweden and King Albert of Belgium can be made out behind the future bride and groom…

When she visited the mining regions devastated by the 1935 crisis, she talked to the workers to find out how she could help them in real terms. Never was a word uttered in vain to her, for money, foodstuffs, and recommendations incessantly flowed from Laeken for those who asked for aid. Those hit by the Depression knew deep down that Astrid would not abandon them.

As young parents and then young sovereigns following Albert I's accidental death in 1934, Astrid and Leopold were revered as models for the youth movements burgeoning in Europe at that time. This new generation that put the agony of the Great War far behind them, symbolised hope and peace. The queen actively urged many young Belgians to join the Scout Movement, which she considered to be one of life's real training schools. While the queen dressed up as befitted her status bedecked with in the finery of plumes, precious fabrics and jewellery for official engagements, she was far more at ease in her everyday attire of a plain styled dress, dark shoes, cardigan and a loden coat, with little or no make-up. That is how she would be seen strolling in the working class district of Marolles, available and welcoming. The incarnation of Belgium's very soul, the queen was an icon that anyone could approach without the slightest hesitation.

On the occasion of the Joyful Entry to Antwerp in 1928, two women presented Astrid with the flowers that Leopold is cradling in his arms.

Queen Astrid of Belgium with her daughter Josephine Charlotte is joined by her sister, Princess Martha of Sweden.

While she was alive she was deified much against her wishes. Her straight face is set off by a tiara in her official portrait, by the hand of Swedish artist Osterman. It is as though she accepts her fate in her serious gaze into the distance. "Oh! If only life could stay just the way it is", she would sometimes sigh. Life was not so obliging.
A tragic car accident in Switzerland spirited her away on 29 August 1935, leaving three very young children behind, Baudouin (who succeeded his father from 1950 - 1993), Albert (currently reigning) and Josephine-Charlotte.

Hotel Astrid - 27, avenue Carnot - 75017 Paris - France - Tel.: 33 (0)1 44 09 26 00 - Fax: 33 (0)1 44 09 26 01 - [email protected]