Princess Christina of Sweden, the youngest of King Carl XVI Gustaf’s four older sisters, has successfully undergone a stem cell transplant.
Swedish newspaper Expressen first reported the news with a confirmation from the Swedish Royal Court’s Director of Information and Press Department, Margareta Thorgren. She explained to them, “The stem cell operation is completed. Princess Christina is well under the circumstances.”
The Princess will remain at home during her recuperation. After such operations, the immune system is considerably weakened, and as a result, doctors commonly advise patients stay isolated while they heal.
It was just last month that the Court made the announcement of the pending transplant, which can be stressful on the body, saying, “Princess Christina, Mrs Magnuson has, since October, been treated for blood cancer with regular chemotherapy. The treatment has gone well. But the Princess’s blood cancer cannot be cured with this treatment because it occurred in bone marrow stem cells that are resistant to chemotherapy.
“In consultation with the family and doctors, the Princess has decided to undergo a stem cell transplant.”
She was diagnosed with chronic leukaemia in October of last year. At the time, the Swedish Royal Court said that she was feeling “relatively good.” It was stated that the 73-year-old would scale back her royal duties during her treatment but would fulfil her commitments when her health allowed. They also asked that she be able to undergo her chemotherapy in peace.
In 2010, Christina announced that she had undergone treatment for breast cancer – including three surgeries – and had beaten the disease. After defeating breast cancer, Christina devoted much of her time to bringing attention to cancer issues.
The Princess was born on 3 August 1943 at Haga Palace in Solna, Sweden. She married Tord Magnuson in 1974 at the Royal Chapel in Stockholm Palace. They have three sons: Gustaf, Oscar, and Victor.
May she recover completely. She’s a very courageous lady. And her willingness to share her difficult journey to help others is very, very commendable. God speed, Your Royal Highness