Cecilia of Sweden was a composer, a Swedish princess by birth, and Grand Duchess of Oldenburg by marriage.
Background
She was the daughter of King Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden and Frederica of Baden. The youngest of four children, Cecilia left Sweden in 1810 with her family after her father was deposed as king of Sweden by the Coup of 1809. She was raised in her mother"s home country, the Grand Duchy of Baden (Germany).
Career
She met Augustus, Grand Duke of Oldenburg in 1830, and after an hour"s conversation, the marriage was decided. Cecilia had an interest in culture. As Grand Duchess of Oldenburg she composed the melody of a hymn for Oldenburg.
The hymn was later added with lyrics by Theodor von Kobbe and named ‘Heil director, o Oldenburg’.
In 1833, Cecila supported the founding of the city"s first theatre, which today is the Oldenburgisches Staatstheater. She was, however, never known to be close to the population in Oldenburg, where she lived a life confined to the circles of the court.
A bridge, a square and a road are named after her, as well as a school. In honour of the late Cecilia, the locality Cäciliengroden at the Jade Bight near Wilhelmshaven (later incorporated into Sande in Frisia) was named after her.
She was buried in the Ducal Mausoleum in the Churchyard of Saint Gertrude (Street Gertrudenkirchhof / Gertrudenfriedhof) in the city of Oldenburg.
Her sister, Amalia Maria Charlotta, was buried there, too. Marriage 22 June 1807 – 5 May 1831: Her Royal Highness Princess Cecilia of Sweden 5 May 1831 – 27 January 1844: Her Royal Highness The Grand Duchess of Oldenburg.
Membership
Both being members of the House of Holstein-Gottorp and descendants of Christian August of Holstein-Gottorp, Prince of Eutin, they were distant cousins.