Josephine Sparre

Josephine Sophie Anette Charlotte Sparre af Söfdeborg, (28 July 1829, Dyrendal, Norway – 17 August 1892), called Jossan or Schossan, was a Swedish noble, lady-in-waiting and a royal mistress to King Charles XV of Sweden.

Biography

Born to Swedish noble colonel chamberlain Johan Alexander Artemis Sparre and the Norwegian Sofia Adelaide Rosalie Ancker, sibling of politician Nils Gustaf Alexander Sparre and niece to minister Gustaf Adolf Vive Sparre.

Josephine was lady-in-waiting to Crown Princess Louise of the Netherlands in 1851–62, and the mistress of Crown Prince Charles during the same period. 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. She was married, in 1862, to Norwegian cabinet chamberlain Bredo Stang with the royal couple present.

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References