The Extended Bernadotte Family, News Part 1: March 2017 -

Count Björn Bernadotte and the staff of Mainau Island
"On Mainau we not only focus on a healthy lifestyle, but also on environmentally conscious mobility! With offers such as regular bike checks from local providers such as @indigo_fahrradservice_konstanz, bike leasing, covered bike parking spaces and e-bike charging stations (the latter can also be used by guests!), all employees are encouraged to leave their cars at home more often and instead to switch to the bike. And we were rewarded for this: The ADFC awarded Mainau GmbH the “Gold” certificate as a “bicycle-friendly employer”!!"

On the Mainau Island a "peace sign" has been planted prominently in front of the castle in keeping with the annual motto “Flower Power”. The Mainau gardeners have used this symbolic power of flowers: around 1500 colorful 'Tagetes patula' , also known as marigolds, are planted in a “peace sign”. With this Mainau is sending a strong signal for peace.
Countess Bettina Bernadotte sees it as part of her social commitment as an entrepreneur to stand up for and promote a society of democracy, cosmopolitanism and diversity, in view of the increasingly anti-democratic and fundamental rights-contemptuous statements made by political figures: “Our employees are coming from 42 nations, this diversity enriches us. Appreciation is a central value of our corporate culture".
The peace sign will be visible until the end of September.

In keeping with this year's annual motto "Flower Power", the Coat of Arms hall of Mainau Castle presents well-known and award-winning photo designer Josh Westrich's artistically sophisticated photographic works of art using the flowers from May 18 to September 29.

The UNESCO World Heritage Monastic Island of Reichenau and the Mainau Island are important and significant tourist destinations on the international Lake Bodensee. One is considered a vegetable island steeped in history, the other is known for its variety of flowers and plants - both are founding members of the Association of Bodensee Gardens and cooperate in many ways.
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Mainau Island in cooperation with Steauf, counts Björn and Christian Bernadotte at a meeting:
"What a fantastic day yesterday on the island of Mainau! In front of around 150 invited guests, we, Stefanie Aufleger together with Count Björn and Count Christian Bernadotte, unveiled our new cooperation in the Gardener's Tower. Under the motto "Lili: Living Leadership" we join forces to inspire and strengthen leaders and their teams."

Count Christian Bernadotte at a meeting on Mainau Island, the cooperation with Steauf is going strong:
"Together with the writing therapist Marlene Jäkle, the team and organizational developer Claudia Franke, with count Christian Bernadotte and master photographer Heuser, we sat at the table in the gardener's tower on the #inselmainau. It was about future perspectives that could be shown in a playful way in the right context. The comprehensive insights into cash flow, pulse and pull effect came to light with the #STEAUF game. They gave courage and hope."

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In connection with Marianne Bernadotte's 100th birthday this year, Marianne & Sigvard Bernadotte's Artist Fund has increased their scholarship to SEK 100,000 to pay tribute to the jubilee. During a ceremony on June 3, actor Joel Valois, artist Melanie Kitt, concert singer Arvid Eriksson, ceramicist Fanny Ollas and fashion designer Filippa Fuxe received their scholarships.
The foundation was established in connection with Sigvard Bernadotte's 75th birthday in 1982. Marianne Bernadotte is the honorary chairman of the board.

The Bernadottes continue the Swedish traditional Midsummer celebration on Mainau June 22-23:
Immerse yourself in Swedish tradition and experience an unforgettable Midsummer festival with a small but fine program for the whole family: Maypole, Swedish food, live music, wine tasting and children's activities.

LadyFinn said:

In connection with Marianne Bernadotte's 100th birthday this year, Marianne & Sigvard Bernadotte's Artist Fund has increased their scholarship to SEK 100,000 to pay tribute to the jubilee. During a ceremony on June 3, actor Joel Valois, artist Melanie Kitt, concert singer Arvid Eriksson, ceramicist Fanny Ollas and fashion designer Filippa Fuxe received their scholarships.
The foundation was established in connection with Sigvard Bernadotte's 75th birthday in 1982. Marianne Bernadotte is the honorary chairman of the board.

Stipendieregn över unga konstnärer

I samband med att Marianne Bernadotte detta år fyller 100 år har stiftelsen Marianne & Sigvard Bernadottes konstnärsfond höjt stipendiesumman till 100 000 kronor för att hylla jubilaren. Under en ceremoni på måndagen erhöll skådespelaren Joel Valois, konstnären Melanie Kitti, konsertsångaren...

www.svd.se

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While I understand that Marianne's age prevents it, it's a pity that we're not getting the lavish celebrations we got for the foundation's 40th anniversary in 2012.

Tomorrow the 73rd Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting (Physics) starts and ends on 5 July. 37 Nobel Laureates and close to 650 young scientists attend. Countess Bettina Bernadotte attends many events and gives a speech at least at:
The Opening Ceremony June 30
The International Evening July 1
The Bavarian Evening July 4
The Final Day on Mainau Island July 5

Countess Bettina Bernadotte today at the Opening Ceremony of the 73rd Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting (Physics).
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Countess Bettina Bernadotte with husband Philipp Haug, Bettina Stark-Watzinger (German Federal Minister of Education and Research) and Jürgen Kluge (Chairman of the The Foundation Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings) and Gabriele Kluge.
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Countess Bettina's speech at the Opening ceremony, starting at 5.36:

Countess Bettina Bernadotte yesterday evening at the International Evening hosted by The Texas A&M University. Countess Bettina gave the welcoming speech.
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The Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings continues its partnership with the National Research Foundation Singapore. Countess Bettina signed the third Memorandum of Understanding.

Countess Bettina Bernadotte yesterday evening at the Grill & Chill event in Toskana Park. The event is hosted by the Linday Nobel Laureate Meetings and supported by the City of Lindau.
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Countess Bettina Bernadotte gave yesterday July 4 the welcoming speech at the traditional Bavarian Evening,
hosted by the Free State of Bavaria. Countess Bettina wears always her Sweden dress at this event.

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As always, the last day of the meeting is held on the Mainau Island.
Countess Bettina and husband Philipp Haug arrived this morning with the Laureates and young scientists from Lindau with MS Sonnenkönigin.

The last day of the 73rd Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting (Physics).
Countess Bettina Bernadotte arriving from Lindau to Mainau on MS Sonnenkönigin
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Arriving to Mainau
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The last day's events on Mainau
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Countess Bettina speaking at the Closing Ceremony, video:

On the closing day of the 73rd Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, 5 July, 30 Nobel Laureates in Physics and Chemistry from more than 10 countries signed the “Mainau Declaration 2024 on Nuclear Weapons”.

Science is the focus of the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings. But part of their history is also that scientists meet in Lindau in the spirit of international understanding, emphasizes the Council for the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings.
"Anyone who is prepared to deal with other opinions or conflicts in a fundamentally peaceful manner is welcome in Lindau," explained countess Bettina Bernadotte on behalf of the entire Council.

Countess Marianne Bernadotte celebrates today her 100th birthday.

Marianne Bernadotte – actress, philanthropist and countess. Congratulations! Here's a look back at the power lady's impressive life.

Today I congratulate my dear friend Marianne Bernadotte who turns 100 years old!
The photo was taken during the opening of my exhibition in Mykonos, Greece, 2009

Congratulations to Countess Marianne!

A very Happy 100th Birthday to Marianne, Princess Bernadotte, Countess of Wisborg!
What a milestone birthday.

Happy belated 100th to Countess Marianne Bernadotte!!

Happy belated 100th to Countess Marianne Bernadotte!

The federal government has awarded Mainau GmbH a grant of 730,000 euros for the renovation of the Palace Church of St. Mary (built between 1732 and 1746) on the Mainau Island.
Large parts of the roof structure in the Church have been severely damaged by a massive infestation of dry rot. The investigations show that the art-historically significant and almost original interior furnishings were at great risk.
Managing director count Björn Bernadotte sees the further work as a mammoth task, but also as an obligation to future generations: "The planned measures for effective structural repairs and climate stabilization are intended to ensure the preservation of the baroque building and its historical furnishings and immense cultural significance for as long as possible. Although this substantial funding will not cover all renovation costs that Mainau GmbH will face, it is a significant support in the sustainable preservation of this important baroque jewel for future generations".
The construction work begins in 2025.

Countess Bettina Bernadotte was a guest at the "SWR-Talk im Grünen" at the State Garden Show in Wangen yesterday.
Bettina spoke about the challenges facing Mainau island. One of the main problems is climate change. They are trying to design the garden in such a way that it can withstand climate change, optimizing the locations of the plants. They have to use less fertilizer and less plant protection. Another problem is the lack of skilled workers. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find staff, almost 400 people work there during the season. Due to demographic change, the company must prepare to get by with fewer employees in the future.
Bettina is also socially committed. She spoke passionately about the Mini Gardeners she founded and is involved in. As chairwoman of the Mentor Foundation Germany, she supports children and young people from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. Bettina received a lot of applause for her commitment to society.
She talked about her childhood on the island, how she explored the island in the summer evenings: "There was always a very special scent in the air." It took her some time as a child to understand that she had grown up in special, privileged circumstances.
What interested many the most was the relationship between the Bernadotte family and the Swedish royal family. Bettina enjoys every trip to Sweden, and has Swedish citizenship. They are in regular contact and are always happy to see each other again. But she wouldn't want to swap places with Victoria.
Talk im Grünen_ mit Mainau-Chefin Bettina Gräfin Bernadotte - SWR Aktuell

Mainau gets its own piece of music, the "Mainau March" dedicated to the island and the Bernadotte family.
When the score was handed over to Count Björn Bernadotte, he was visibly moved by this special musical appreciation. He invited Sven Hellinghausen and his daughter Leni to have a cozy coffee and cake and was introduced to the composition.
The march describes the close family relationship with the Swedish royal family through a fanfare-like introduction, but then finds its way back modestly through the use of tubular bells, the composer describes his work. "The bells are meant to remind us of the castle church of St. Mary, whose sounds spread across the island and Lake Constance".
The piece will premiere in September, when Sven Hellinghausen's orchestra "German Winds" and the "Scots Guards" will premiere the Mainau March together in the Royal Military Chapel in London.

Count Björn Bernadotte spoke at the Open-Air Church service "Beautiful views" ZDF aired live from Mainau Island on June 30.

Countess Bettina Bernadotte was interviewed by Katrin Bauerfeind at LBBW video series “Just be brave – the interview”.
How do you run a flower island without a green thumb? With courage, of course. Countess Bettina Bernadotte is an entrepreneur and managing director of the picturesque flower island of Mainau. In an interview with presenter Katrin Bauerfeind, she talks about courage as the cornerstone of her company.

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Count Björn Bernadotte has been interviewed by Swiss blue News, video:

The Bernadottes are considered to be Europe's most approachable aristocracy. Every year, a million tourists visit their island of Mainau in Bodensee.
For count Björn Bernadotte af Wisborg, the German nobleman, the island means one thing above all: home. He grew up on the island with his four siblings. After years of travel and apprenticeship, he lives on the island again. His apartment is on the second floor of the north wing of the Castle. When he was young, Mainau was primarily a big adventure playground for Björn and his siblings. "I've fallen from almost every tree on the island," says the 49-year-old, who has been managing the island together with his sister Countess Bettina since 2011.

The Lennart Bernadotte Foundation 50 years
The Lennart Bernadotte Foundation, one of the early corporate investment foundations in Germany, celebrated its 50th birthday on Friday at Mainau Castle.
Ensuring the continued existence of the island of Mainau was always a concern of Countess Sonja and Count Lennart Bernadotte. With foresight, 50 years ago, on December 13, 1974, they transferred the island and its properties to the Lennart Bernadotte Foundation, a private foundation with its own legal personality that exclusively and directly pursues charitable goals.
In order to ensure the continuation of the creative work, Mainau GmbH was founded and the entire property was transferred to it. At the same time, the Lennart Bernadotte Foundation was established, which is now the sole shareholder of Mainau GmbH.
The 50th anniversary represents this new direction based on the solid roots that the founders left behind with their life's work. The Foundation will continue to feel firmly connected to these in the future and its new direction could be aptly summed up under the motto "Working for people and nature".

https://www.mainau.de/de/presse/pressemitteilungen

“Families (in) companies” was the topic of an exciting and inspiring panel discussion late on Sunday afternoon at the Landesgartenschau (State Garden Show). The managing director of Mainau, countess Bettina Bernadotte and Antje von Dewitz, managing director of VAUDE Sport, discussed with moderator Annette Erhart questions of company succession and management, but also sustainable production in a rapidly changing world.

Countess Bettina Bernadotte's husband Philipp Haug (Ecological Consultant of Mainau GmbH) hosted the conference "Energy Systems in Transition" on the island of Mainau. Municipalities, business and science are showing ways to achieve the energy and heat transition - conclusion: There is still a lot to do to achieve the climate protection goals set.
This year's conference also offered inspiration, information, motivation and a lot of exchange. For the 23rd time, solarcomplex AG, Insel Mainau GmbH, the State Forestry Administration of Baden-Württemberg and the Lake Constance Foundation invited people to the two-day conference.

In this podcast episode, Laura von der Groeben talks to Count Björn Bernadotte, Managing Director of Mainau GmbH, about leadership.
We talk about the balance between tradition and innovation, the importance of personal sustainability and the role of authenticity in leadership. The episode is full of valuable ideas for self-reflection and lifelong learning. Björn Bernadotte tells inspiring anecdotes that illustrate how openness and curiosity can lead to enriching experiences.

The traditional Count's Castle Festival (Gräfliches Schlossfest) on October 3-6.
Baroque meets modern: The Count's Castle Festival on the island of Mainau ️
Experience a unique sales experience in the middle of the historic walls of Mainau Castle. From fashion and jewelry to exclusive decorative objects, here you will find everything your heart desires. As a special highlight, Countess Diana Bernadotte will present her latest hat creations at the hat fashion show in the white hall.
A diverse supporting program with music, fashion and more awaits you.

Monica Bonde (left), daughter of count Carl Johan Bernadotte, some weeks ago at a lunch of Hänt Magazine's 60th anniversary, with Karin Lennmor, former editor-in-chief of Svensk Damtidning. Monica worked for Svensk Damtidning previously.

Countess Bettina Bernadotte attended the event, when Mainau Daycare Center was integrated into Mainau GmbH, Mainau GmbH became the sole shareholder.
As a family-friendly company, Mainau GmbH places great value on the compatibility of work and private life for its employees. The company daycare center is therefore an ideal addition to the company as a whole. In addition to children of Mainau employees, the children of employees of the cooperation partner Körber AG and some children from Konstanz are also looked after in the daycare center surrounded by the park and gardens of Mainau.

To start the flower year, countess Bettina Bernadotte celebrated her 50th birthday, recently the Lennart Bernadotte Foundation (sole shareholder of Mainau GmbH) celebrated its 50th anniversary and count Björn Bernadotte has his 50th birthday next year.
Mainau provides with these anniversaries insights into the lives and commitments of the two jubilarians in a very special exhibition at Mainau Castle, as well as to highlight the work of the foundation. Under the title "50/50/50: The Bernadotte Exhibition - Diversity and Insights", visitors can from October 18 discover selected exhibits and their stories in the Coat of Arms room and cabinet of the baroque castle, to catch a glimpse of one of the castle's representative rooms otherwise not accessible to the public, and selected and never-before-seen exhibits will be on display, such as the wedding dress of Bettina Bernadotte.

Exhibition organizers Sabine Neufang (Marke Mainau, left) and Matthias Ehret (Mentor Foundation Germany, right), count Christian Bernadotte (board member of the Lennart Bernadotte Foundation), Mainau Managing Director countess Bettina Bernadotte and Mainau Managing Director count Björn Bernadotte at the opening of the exhibition "50/50/50: The Bernadotte Exhibition - Diversity and Insights" on October 17.
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Photo from one of the exhibition rooms
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Count Björn Bernadotte, countess Diana Bernadotte and her children at Countess Diana's Hat Fashion Show at Count's Castle Festival (Gräfliches Schlossfest), Oktober 3-6.
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Countess Cecilia Bernadotte af Wisborg, the daughter of count Lennart Bernadotte, the granddaughter of Prince Wilhelm and second cousin of King Carl Gustaf, has passed away at the age of 80 years. Her obituary with a poem by Prince Wilhelm was published today at Svenska Dagbladet. A memorial ceremony will take place in the spring of 2025.
Obituary

Only Birgitta left now from Lennart Bernadotte’s children with his first wife Karin Nissvandt.

Hans-Rickard said:

Only Birgitta left now from Lennart Bernadotte’s children with his first wife Karin Nissvandt.

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And Birgitta is the ELDEST one (age 91)