Victoria of Baden

Victoria of Baden (; 7 August 1862 – 4 April 1930) was Queen of Sweden from 8 December 1907 until her death in 1930 as the wife of King Gustaf V. She was politically active in a conservative fashion during the development of democracy and known to be pro-German during the First World War. Early life Princess Viktoria was born on 7 August 1862 at Karlsruhe Palace, Baden. Her parents were Grand Duke Frederick I of Baden, and Princess Louise of Prussia. Viktoria was named after her aunt by marriage, Crown Princess Victoria of Prussia, daughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. Victoria was tutored privately in the Karlsruhe Palace, by governesses and private teachers, in an informal "Palace School" with carefully selected girls from the aristocracy. She was given a conventional education for her gender and class with focus on art, music and languages, and could play the piano, paint and speak French and English. Victoria was given a strict and Spartan upbringing with a focus on duty. Among other things, her mother ordered her to sleep on hard mattresses by an open window. Such spartan methods was recommended at the time as beneficial and something that would harden the child's future health; but it is believed, that this had bad consequences for Victoria's health later in life. Victoria was given her confirmation in 1878. After this, she made her debut in adult social life and marriage prospects were discussed.