Patrik Reuterswärd

Carl Reinhold Patrik Reuterswärd (27 February 1885 – 3 August 1963) was a Swedish diplomat. Reuterswärd began his diplomatic career in 1907, serving in various roles at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. He was posted as an attaché in New York City and Paris before taking on assignments in Tokyo and Beijing, where he acted as chargé d'affaires ad interim in 1912. Over the years, he held key diplomatic positions in Shanghai, Washington, D.C., Copenhagen, Berlin, and London, often serving as chargé d'affaires ad interim. In 1928, he was appointed envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the Baltic states and later to Bucharest and Sofia. During World War II, he remained in Romania, safeguarding the interests of multiple nations despite limited communication with Sweden. After the war, he continued his diplomatic service until his retirement in 1950.

Early life Reuterswärd was born into the noble family on 25 February 1885, at Äspenäs in , Örebro Municipality. He was the son of (1853–1932) and his wife, Baroness Rosa Elisabet Fransiska von Ungern-Sternberg (1856–1938). His father was a lieutenant colonel in the Life Regiment Hussar Corps, while his mother, a member of the Ungern-Sternberg noble family and born in Heidelberg, Germany, became a lady-in-waiting to Queen Victoria of Baden in 1908. His grandfather was the politician, court marshal, and member of parliament .

After passing his matriculation examination in Örebro in 1902, he became a underlöjtnant in the reserve of the Second Svea Artillery Regiment on 8 December 1904. He earned a Juris Utriusque Kandidat (jur. utr. kand.) degree from Uppsala University on 30 May 1907. During World War II, he spent more than two years in this role, almost entirely cut off from communication with Sweden. Despite changing political regimes, he was responsible for safeguarding the interests of approximately ten different nations. In November 1949, he was elected to the board of the Reuterswärd Family Association (Reuterswärdska släktföreningen).

Personal life On 6 September 1913, Reuterswärd married Karin Herdin (1889–1981) at Uppsala Cathedral. She was the daughter of magistrate and court secretary Karl Wilhelm Herdin, who also served as vice district judge (vice häradshövding), and Augusta Carolina Bexelius.

Death Reuterswärd died on 3 August 1963 in Näsbypark, Täby Municipality. He was laid to rest on 13 October 1963 at Täby Cemetery.

Awards and decorations

Swedish

2nd Class of the Cross of Merit of Hungary with star (1928) Commander 1st Class of the Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria (1928)