Prince Eric of Sweden

[Prince_Christopher]

Does anyone know anything about Prince Eric of Sweden, who lived from 1889 to 1918?  He was the son of Gustavus V, and younger brother of Gustavus VI and William.  Any pictures?

[Rebecca]

Prince Erik, duke of Västmanland, suffered from a mental retardation, which is said to have been caused by his mother's medication during the pregnancy. He also suffered from epilepsy. Prince Erik was very seldom seen in public.

It is said that he sometimes acted very strange, but most of the time he led a quiet, calm life. He died of the Spanish flu (I am not sure if this is the correct English name for the influenza that struck Europe after World War I and killed millions of people). His mother queen Victoria is said to never have been able to forgive herself for not being by his side when he died.

I have a most charming picture of prince Erik in a book. I wish I could post it here, but unfortunately I do not have a scanner. It is showing him from the side, and believe me, he seems to have been very good looking.

[Prince_Christopher]

Thanks so much, Rebecca, for the information.  

That's what I love about this forum--being able to find out about those royals who have so little information out on them.

[Katia]

His story kinda reminds me of "The Lost Prince" - prince John of Great Britain...   So sad...

[grandduchessella]

Yes, at least in the US it's referred to as the Spanish Flu. (On a side note, my grandmother actually contracted it as a young girl but, obviously, survived)

Somewhere I saw a photo of the 3 brothers but can't remember where.    Does that ring a bell with anyone?

[Prince_Christopher]

[Prince_Christopher]

Victoria with her three sons

[Rebecca]

Prince Christopher

The second one of your pictures is the one I have in a book. I think it is charming. Thank you so much for posting it.

[Katia]

He really doesn't seem to be mentally retarded, but very normal, especially in the tennis picture very alert and hapy.

[Prince_Christopher]

Yes, they are all nice looking pictures of the young man.

[Rebecca]

He really doesn't seem to be mentally retarded, but very normal, especially in the tennis picture very alert and hapy.

I fully agree, he does not look mentally retarded at all on the pictures (I think he looks good on some and adorable on some), but still, that is what all sources say he was.  :-/

Some varieties of mental retardation does not really show on the outside, on photographs for instance, but rather in how a person behaves and talks, plus learning skills etcetera.