Lars von Celsing

Lars Petrus Folke von Celsing (1 April 1916 – 17 August 2009) was a Swedish diplomat. He joined the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in 1942 and served in Bern, New York City at the United Nations Security Council, London, Lisbon, Tehran, Baghdad, and Helsinki. At the Foreign Ministry, he became Director of the Political Department and deputy director (1965).

From 1967 to 1972 he was ambassador to Morocco, Senegal, The Gambia, and Mauritania, notably witnessing the failed coup against King Hassan II in 1971. He later served as ambassador to Egypt and Sudan (1972–1976) and concluded his career in Brussels and Luxembourg (1976–1979).

Early life von Celsing was born on 1 April 1916, in Stockholm, Sweden, the son of Folke von Celsing, a bank executive, and his wife Margareta (née Norström). He grew up in a distinguished family, alongside his brothers Peter, who would later become a noted architect, and Fredrik, who pursued a career in medicine.

The von Celsings belonged to an old noble family with deep historical roots. Their lineage traced back to , a parish priest in Östergötland. Among their ancestors was (1679–1743), who accompanied King Charles XII during the Skirmish at Bender in 1713. Two of Gustaf's sons, (1723–1789) and (1731–1805), went on to serve successively as Swedish envoys in Constantinople—establishing a long tradition of diplomacy in the family.

After completing his studentexamen on 8 May 1934, von Celsing studied law at Stockholm University College, where he earned his Candidate of Law degree in 1942. His education also took him abroad, with further studies in Paris and Berlin, experiences that broadened his outlook just as Europe was being reshaped by war. That same year, he entered the Ministry for Foreign Affairs as an attaché, beginning what would become a long diplomatic career. His time in Rabat placed him at the center of one of Morocco's most dramatic moments: the failed coup attempt during King Hassan II's birthday celebration on 10 July 1971. Standing just beside the Belgian ambassador, , von Celsing witnessed the chaos firsthand. Dupret was struck by eighteen bullets and died in the arms of the French ambassador.

After leaving Morocco in 1972, von Celsing was posted to Cairo and Khartoum, serving as Sweden's ambassador to Egypt and Sudan until 1976. He later concluded his diplomatic career in Brussels and Luxembourg City, where he served as ambassador from 1976 to 1979.

Personal life On 4 July 1942, von Celsing married Silvia Elena Maria ("Sylvita") Miguens (born 1919) in Stockholm.

Death von Celsing died on 17 August 2009. He was interred on 15 June 2010 at in Lovön in Ekerö Municipality, Sweden.

Awards and decorations