Désirée Clary

Bernardine Eugénie Désirée Clary was born 8 November 1777, and in her youth was briefly engaged to Napoleon Bonaparte before that attachment dissolved. She married Charles John, a French general who would become the founder of the House of Bernadotte, and followed him north when he was named heir to the Swedish throne. On 5 February 1818 she became Queen of Sweden and Norway, a position she held until 8 March 1844. Her sister Julie Clary became queen consort of Spain and Naples; her son became Oscar I. Sweden officially changed her name to Desideria, though she never used it. She died 17 Decem…