Friday, April 9, 2010

Services for Victoria held in Rome

April 9, 1930

Funeral services for Queen Victoria of Sweden were heald this morning at the German Evangelical Church in Rome. Her husband, King Gustav V of Sweden, her younger son, Prince Wilhelm and her granddaughter, Princess Ingrid attended the service, along with the King and Queen of Italy and Premier Mussolini. The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Hesse and by Rhine and Princess Giovanna of Italy were also at the funeral.
The Queen's body was not at the service, but was taken later from the Villa Svezia, where she died on Friday at the age of 68, to a special funeral train. King Gustav and his family were also on board this special train, which departed for Stockholm.
The small church was decorated in black with wreaths and palms. The Swedish pastor, who came from Paris, presided at the service.
The music included a German hymn that Victoria "liked greatly." After reading the Gospel, the pastor spoke, "commemorating the Queen's virtues." The King was "moved to tears." After the service was over, he thanks the Italian king and queen and Mussolini for attending.

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