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Home , Carl XVI Gustaf, Crown prince, Drottningholm Palace, Gustaf VI Adolf, Gustav III, Haga Palace

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The Swedish monarchy

Sweden’s is Carl XVI Gustaf. In 1980, Sweden became the first monarchy to change its succession rites so that the first-born­ child of the is heir to the , regardless of gender. to the Swedish throne is Victoria.

Sweden is one of the world’s most stable and Carl XVI Gustaf egalitarian democracies, with a monarchy King Carl XVI Gustaf is the seventh monarch that has strong roots. of the . He was born As head of state, the King is Sweden’s fore- on 30 as the fifth child and only Clockwise from left: Crown most unifying symbol. According to the 1974 son of Hereditary Gustaf and Princess Victoria, heir apparent; , the monarch has no political Princess Sibylla. Hereditary Prince Gustaf King Carl XVI Gustaf, head of state; Princess Estelle, second power or affinity. The King’s duties are of Adolf died in an airplane crash in in line to the Swedish throne. a ceremonial and representative nature. the following year. Photo: Sandra Birgersdotter Ek/Royal Court ofPhoto: Court Sweden Ek/Royal Sandra Birgersdotter Facts about Sweden: Monarchy sweden.se

In 1950, Carl Gustaf became since he took part in the UN Conference on of Sweden when his great-grandfather the Human Environment – the first of its kind The Royal Palace died and was succeeded by the – in back in 1972. The Royal Palace of Stockholm is the then 68-year-old Gustaf VI Adolf, the Crown He is likewise deeply committed to the King's . While most Prince’s grandfather. preservation of Sweden’s cultural heritage of the monarchy's official receptions After serving as monarch for 23 years, and considers it important that the public are held here, the palace is also open King Gustaf Adolf passed away in 1973. has access to the royal palaces with their to the public all year round. As a royal That same year, at the age of 27, the Crown collections and parks. residence, workplace and culture- historical monument in one, the Royal Prince became King Carl XVI Gustaf. His Queen Silvia motto is ‘For Sweden – with the times’. Palace is unique in Europe. In 1972, while still the Crown Prince, Carl In 2018, King Carl Gustaf became Sweden’s Photo: Ola Ericson/imagebank.sweden.se Gustaf met his German-Brazilian future wife, longest reigning monarch, surpassing the Silvia Sommerlath, who was born in 1943 in 14th century king Magnus Eriksson. . They met in during the Keeping busy , where Silvia Sommerlath King Carl XVI Gustaf is an active monarch was chief hostess. who keeps up to date on current affairs, both through his work and privately. of Court Sweden Ahlström/Royal Photo: Anna-Lena Each year in September, he formally opens the annual session of the , the Swedish . Regularly, he also chairs Councils of State at the Royal Palace. During these meetings, the King is briefed Built in baroque by architect by government ministers about political Nicodemus Tessin the and initiatives, investigations and legislation. formed as a Roman palace, it has The King also chairs the Advisory Council on more than 600 rooms divided between Foreign Affairs, a parliamentary forum where eleven floors. It was erected on the the government informs on foreign policy same spot as the medieval matters with potential impact on Sweden. Castle, which was destroyed in a fire According to the Constitution, it is the prime in 1697. King Adolf Fredrik and Queen minister’s responsibility to ensure that Queen Silvia. Lovisa Ulrika were first to move into the head of state remains informed about the Royal Palace in 1754, into what matters regarding the nation. A trained interpreter without royal or noble is now known as the Bernadotte Together with his wife Queen Silvia, King origins, she is the first Swedish queen to have Apartments. Carl XVI Gustaf performs two to three state had a professional career. King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen visits per year, either as host of Sweden Silvia Sommerlath married King Carl Gustaf Silvia lived here until 1981, when or as a guest abroad. These events are of in 1976. At the time royal weddings that in- they chose to take up residence at important symbolic value as they underline cluded non- were highly unusual, Palace, on the outskirts of Stockholm. good relations between Sweden and a specif- and Queen Silvia has since modernised the ic country. The visits abroad have the intent position of queen so that it is in step with to strengthen personal relations and also the times. increase trade, political exchange and She has taken strong initiatives to pursue Photo:Ericson/imagebank.sweden.se Ola cultural interest. several social issues close to her heart, in King Carl XVI Gustaf has remained strongly particular children’s rights as well as care for committed to the global environment ever people suffering from dementia.

A modern move Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/Royal of Court Sweden

In 2019, King Carl Gustaf relieved five of his Drottningholm Palace, outside grandchildren – Prince Carl Philip and Princess Stockholm, is on UNESCO’s World Sofia’s two children and Princess Madeleine and Heritage List. The palace was built by Christopher O’Neill’s three – from royal duties. the architect Nicodemus Tessin the Prince Alexander, Prince Gabriel, Princess Elder in the 17th century and is highly Leonore, Prince Nicolas and Princess Adrienne characteristic of European royal remain members and keep their architecture of the time. Large parts and Duchess , but no longer have of the palace and park are open to the style of Royal and are no longer visitors. It is home to the Royal Family members of the Royal House. since 1981, but only the King and With the change, the King wanted to signal Queen live here today. that in the future, his grandchildren – with the All of Sweden’s royal palaces are exception of Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar state owned, and most of them are – will not be expected to perform royal duties. The Royal Family in 2017. open to the public. Facts about Sweden: Monarchy sweden.se

Sweden's future queen French origins As the eldest of three siblings, Crown Princess Victoria is first in line Swedish monarchs date back around to the Swedish throne. As such, she has become a highly popular a thousand years and have belonged to eleven , with the current ambassador for the country. one, the House of Bernadotte, ruling the longest.

Photo: Sara of Court Friberg/Royal Sweden In 1810, Prince Karl August – adopted son of King Karl XIII and heir apparent – suddenly died of a stroke. This left King Karl XIII, whose two biological children had died during infancy, with- out a successor.

Adopted heir King Karl XIII – himself appointed in 1809 following his nephew King Gustav IV Adolf’s deposal – opted to adopt Frenchman Jean Baptiste Bernadotte (1763–1844), a former under Bonaparte, thus finding his heir to the throne. Photo: Alexis Daflos/ of Court Daflos/Royal Alexis Photo:

The Crown Princess during a visit to RFSL – the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Rights – in 2020.

Already before the Crown Princess was born As one of 17 ambassadors in the Sustain­ (14 July 1977), there were discussions about able Development Goals Advocacy Group reforming the Act of Succession and make it during 2016-2018, the Crown Princess pro- gender neutral. The change came into force moted the UN’s Sustainable Development two-and-a-half years after Princess Victoria’s Goals (SDG) for 2030. birth but was made retroactive, which im­ As an SDG Advocate Alumni, she continues mediately changed her from Princess to contribute actively to SDG Advocacy in to Crown Princess. Sweden and around the world, especially on Bernadotte as Crown Prince Karl Johan; oil painting by François When she succeeds her father, Crown issues concerning health and water, such as Gérard (1811). Princess Victoria will become Sweden’s sustainable fishing and equitable access to 70th monarch, the fourth female monarch in clean water. A valid successor Sweden’s history and the first since 1720. Both Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Why Bernadotte? At the time, Sweden’s She already assumes the duties of tempo- Daniel – previously a gym chain owner and power in Europe was declining, with rary when the King is prevented from personal trainer – are strong advocates of the country having lost to performing his duties as head of state, for physical activity. In 2017, in connection with Russia in 1809. example during his travels abroad. her 40th birthday, the Crown Princess initiat- With his experience as military ed a project to walk through all 25 provinces Ambassador and advocate commander, Bernadotte was deemed of Sweden, while promoting the importance Crown Princess Victoria’s regular agenda a valid successor. Also, as a marshal of outdoor activities and movement. She includes visits to various parts of Swedish under Napoleon, Bernadotte had completed the project with walk number 25 society, and visits from foreign dignitaries. actively advised against an invasion in Fulufjället National Park, Dalarna, in 2019. She also attends the Councils of State and the of Sweden, which made him a popular Advisory Councils on Foreign Affairs. Royal nuptials choice. Together with her husband Prince Daniel, On 19 June in 2010, Crown Princess Victoria the Crown Princess each year undertakes married Daniel Westling in Stockholm Karl XIV Johan a couple of official visits overseas at the Cathedral, . The televised event Bernadotte’s , first as prince request of the government. was covered by nearly 2,000 journalists, and then as king, would be Karl Johan. Issues surrounding crisis and conflict with celebrations around the wedding last- His formal reign as King Karl XIV Johan management, including international peace- ing for three days – both in the capital and began in 1818, following King Karl XIII’s building, are of particular interest to the heir across the country. passing. to the throne. In 2009, she earned her bach- Daniel Westling was given the title HRH elor’s degree at University, Sweden, Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland, upon majoring in peace and conflict studies. his marriage to the future Queen of Sweden. Facts about Sweden: Monarchy sweden.se Photo: Elisabeth Toll/Royal Court of Sweden of Court Toll/Royal Elisabeth Photo: Stockholm, the birthplace and early home of King Carl XVI Gustaf. Famous monarchs Younger siblings Gustav II Adolf Prince Carl Philip, second child of the King Gustav II Adolf ruled from 1611 to 1632. and Queen, married Sofia Hellqvist – a for- By intervening in the Thirty Years’ War, mer model, reality television contestant, he came to assume great political and founder of a charity organisation – importance and is internationally the on 13 June 2015 in Stockholm. The couple most renowned of Sweden’s . has two children: Prince Alexander (born Under his rule, Sweden became a 19 April 2016) and Prince Gabriel (born leading military power. Gustav II Adolf on 31 August 2017). The family resides in was killed in 1632 at the Battle of Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel in Djurgården, Stockholm. Lützen. Parliament chose to honour Gustav III’s Pavilion, next to where Princess Madeleine is the youngest child they reside. his memory by calling him Gustav of the King and Queen. In 2013 she married Adolf the Great. British-American businessman Christopher Eighteen months later they had their first O’Neill in Stockholm. The couple has three Queen Kristina child: Princess Estelle, Duchess of Östergöt- children: Princess Leonore (born 20 February Queen Kristina became the second land, second in line to the Swedish throne, 2014), Prince Nicolas (born 15 June 2015) and female monarch of the Kingdom was born on 23 February 2012. On 2 March Princess Adrienne (born 9 March 2018). of Sweden when she succeeded 2016, the Crown Princess gave birth to their Mr O’Neill has retained his UK and US Gustav II Adolf in 1632, just before second child, Prince Oscar, Duke of Skåne. citizenships, and declined a royal title to her sixth birthday. She abdicated in Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel and be able to carry on his business. The family 1654, primarily because of religious their children live in Haga Palace outside resides in the . convictions. She converted to Roman Catholicism, settled in and was succeeded by her cousin, Helping the children Karl X Gustav.

Photo: Sara of Court Friberg/Royal Sweden Gustav III The Princess Couple’s Foundation Gustav III ruled from 1771 to 1792 combats social isolation and promotes good and is often called the Theatre King. health among children and youths in Sweden. A keen patron of the arts, he founded Established by Crown Princess Victoria and Prince the in Stockholm Daniel to mark the occasion of their marriage, in 1782, as well as the Swedish Acade- the foundation provides grants to organisations my and the Swedish Royal Academy working with these issues, but also runs projects of Music. Gustav III’s reign was of its own within the field. not popular with the high nobility. The Crown Princess Couple have also initiated Opposition culminated in a conspiracy Generation Pep. This non-profit organisation in 1792, when Gustav III was shot by works to spread knowledge and engage both Jacob J. Anckarström at a masked ball people and organisations in making it easier for at the Royal Swedish Opera. The King children and young people to live healthy lives Fritidsbanken is a public library for sports died shortly after. Anckarström ad- with sufficient exercise and correct nutrition. equipment supported by the Crown Princess mitted to the assassination and was Couple. executed.

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