Career
Josephine was lady-in-waiting to Crown Princess Louise of the Netherlands in 1851-1862. She was the mistress of Crown Prince Charles in 1852-1860. Prior to their relationship, Charles had a relationship with her relative Sigrid Sparre.
Josephine was a dominant person, and it was said that it was as if she had changed roles with the shy Louisa, so that Louisa acted as the lady-in-waiting and Josephine as the princess.
All the sympathies were with Louisa, who acted very tolerant toward Josephine. Josephine became unpopular within the court due to her way of demonstrating her relationship with Charles, following him around openly at court "like a patch".
She was engaged several times, once with foreign minister Oscar Björnstjerna, but broke the engagement in 1856 because she did not wish to leave the crown prince and the court. Charles entered into a relationship with Hanna Styrell in about the same time.
She returned to court in 1864, and served as lady in waiting to queen Louise until 1871.