Estelle Manville Bernadotte

2010 June 25
by Pat

In 1928, Count Bernadotte married Estelle Manville, the daughter of Hiram Edward Manville, Chairman of the Board of the Johns-Manville Corp.  Her father’s company made asbestos as a fire resistant roofing material.

On August 18, 1928 Time Magazine published this milestone:
Engaged. Count Folke Bernadotte, nephew of King Gustaf of Sweden; to Estelle Romaine Manville, Manhattan debutante, descendant of Jeoffrey de Magnavil, ally of William the Conqueror; in Pleasantville, N. Y.

The beautiful Countess Bernadotte in 1944

The beautiful Countess Bernadotte in 1944 ~ from Herman F. Allen WWII scrapbook

The couple was married in the Episcopal Church of St. John in Pleasantville, New York.  This was quite an event as described here.  The day after the wedding they visited the White House and President and Mrs. Coolidge.

The Countess “Estelle Bernadotte of Wisborg” (as she signed her name) with the Count had occasion to socialize, even at their home, with members of the American Legation in Stockholm including some of the American interness in 1944 and 1945.

(My thanks to Marlene A Koenig and Royal Musings for the wedding information.)



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7 Responses leave one →
  1. 2012 February 24

    <3
    Now we have a new little Estelle Bernadotte! The newborn little princess of Sweden!!

  2. 2012 February 24

    20120223
    GIVE HONOR TO THE COUNTESS ESTELLE BERNADOTTE OF WISBORG for her initiative to start occupational therapy in Stockholm Sweden and for her support of occupational therapy development, especially in Stockholm, Sweden.

    I have just get know-ledge that the new-born Swedish princess first name is Estelle!
    That makes me thinking of a personal memory from about 1964 when I was invited to the in the Countess home at Djurgården, Stockholm. I was 22 year old, an occupational therapy assistant on my carrier way in the subjects of occupational therapy and rehabilitation. I came to the the-party together with ladies, pioneer of occupational therapy in Stockhom. Among them were my boss, head occupational therapist Gunilla Bartning, Södersjuhuset (South hospital) Stockholm and head occupational therapist Ann-Marie Risberg, Karolinska hospital, Stockholm. I was dressed in a self-made yellow gown with hand-printed pattern and a associated hat – all to make attention to “occupation”. I was very nervous! However, the party was nice and went well and it become a life-memory.

  3. 2012 February 24
    Pat permalink

    Thank you both for your comments about the new baby princess! Ingrid, I loved your personal memory of the party at the home of the Countess. THANKS, Pat

  4. 2012 February 24

    I landed on this post in search of info and pictures of Estelle Bernadotte, because I know my grandmother’s half-sister Gerda Ekman from Sweden (b.1881- d.1973) was employed by Estelle as chamber maid or similar, but I’m not sure when or where she started that employment, if before or after the marriage to Folke Bernadotte. I think she remained in service with Estelle until her old age pension. I just started a blog myself where I’m trying to extract some clues and odds and ends from a collection of old family postcards + memories of what I’ve been told, and whatever I can find.
    Greetings from the Past

    Is that photo of Estelle from an official source or a private one?
    Can I use it on my blog?

  5. 2012 February 24
    Pat permalink

    The photo is from my parents’ wartime scrapbook, and yes you may use it. Just please give credit as such to http://www.LibertyLadyBook.com. I peeked at your blog and will enjoy reading your posts. THANKS, Pat

  6. 2012 February 25
    Ulrika Lequet permalink

    I like your blog and interest in Estelle Bernadotte.

    Have you read this blog?

    http://theesotericcuriosa.blogspot.com/2010/10/prince-of-peace-count-folke-bernadotte.html

    Best regards
    Ulrika Scheffer Lequet
    Sweden/Switzerland

  7. 2012 February 25
    Pat permalink

    Thank you for the link … I am reading it right now!

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