H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf - Sveriges Kungahus Contact H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf Carl Gustaf Folke Hubertus, King of Sweden, Duke of Jämtland, became Sweden's Head of State on 15 September 1973 at the age of 27, succeeding his grandfather, King Gustaf VI Adolf. The King's motto is: “For Sweden - With the times". Carl Gustaf was born on 30 April 1946. He is son of then Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf, who died in a plane crash in 1947, and Princess Sibylla of Sachsen-Coburg-Gotha, who died in 1972. King Carl Gustaf married Miss Silvia Renate Sommerlath on 19 June 1976 in Stockholm Cathedral. They have three children: Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Madeleine. The King and Queen reside at Drottningholm Palace. You can find a more detailed biography, along with information on The King's Royal engagements and interests, in the menu. Find out more LiveLeak.com - Who is the King of Sweden?

Browse Channels Who is the King of Sweden? -Carl XVI Gustaf, born 30 April 1946, has been King of Sweden since 15 September 1973, succeeding his grandfather King Gustaf VI Adolf because his father had predeceased him. He is the only son of the late Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten, and Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. -Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten (Stockholm, 22 April 1906 -- Kastrup Airfield, Copenhagen, 26 January 1947) was Duke of West Bothnia and the eldest son of Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden and his first wife Princess Margaret of Connaught. His mother was a granddaughter of Queen Victoria since she was the daughter of HRH Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, and his wife, Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia, Gustaf Adolf was the father of the current king, Carl XVI Gustaf.

-Gustaf VI Adolf - Oscar Fredrik Wilhelm Olaf Gustaf Adolf - (11 November 1882 -- 15 September 1973) was King of Sweden fro Loading the player ... King Carl XVI Gustaf & Silvia Sommerlath King Carl XVI Gustaf & Silvia Sommerlath The marriage of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and Silvia Renate Sommerlath - June 19, 1976 Carl XVI Gustaf has been King of Sweden since September 15, 1973. Born on April 30, 1946, he is the only son of the late Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten, and Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Silvia Sommerlath is a descendant of King Afonso III of Portugal and his concubine Maria Peres de Enxara. Queen Sylvia was born in Heidelberg, Germany, on December 23, 1943. The Sommerlath family lived in São Paulo, Brazil, between 1947 and 1957. She became Queen of Sweden on her marriage to King Carl Gustaf.

Family life The King and Queen of Sweden have three children: Crown Princess Victoria Ingrid Alice Désirée, Duchess of Västergötland, born on 14 July 1977, Prince Carl Philip Edmund Bertil, Duke of Värmland, born on 13 May 1979, Princess Madeleine Thérèse Amelie Josephine, Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland, born on 10 June 1982. The engagement The royal couple met during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. The King later explained how it just "clicked" when they met. King Carl Gustaf and Silvia announced their engagement on March 12, 1976. They were married three months later. The wedding ceremony The royal couple were married at Stockholm Cathedral, Sweden on June 19, 1976. Some 1,200 guests attended the church service. It was the first marriage of a reigning Swedish monarch since 1797.

If Carl Gustaf had married Silvia during the reign of his grandfather, King Gustaf VI Adolf, he would have lost his position as heir to the Swedish throne due to the inflexibility of his grandfather, who believed that royalty must marry royalty. As the royal couple were pronounced husband and wife, Silvia Sommerlath immediately became Queen of Sweden. The commentator for Swedish Television said “It is 12:21 in the day – and Sweden has a new Queen." The last queen before Silvia was Queen Louise, who died in 1965. The previous first lady of the country was been Princess Christina, one of the king's sisters, as the king's mother, Princess Sibylla (who never became Queen) died in 1972. Sweden finally had a Queen after waiting since 1965, and only having had Princesses fill the role as first ladies. The reception A luncheon for 300 guests was held in the Vita Havet (“White Sea”) stateroom at the Royal Palace in Stockholm.

MENU Cold consommé with Iranian Caviar Salmon mousse Queen Silvia Cold Scottish forest pigeon with goose foie gras Heart leaf salad Wild strawberries from Malaga with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream The wedding cake was a Croquembouche. The Royal Head Chef, Werner Vögeli, who had planned the menu for the day, wrote a note with the recipe of Salmon Mousse Queen Silvia which he placed under her place setting at the luncheon as a special memento of her wedding day. The bride’s dress Marc Bohan of Dior designed a white silk duchesse satin gown. The Queen chose the dress herself on a secret trip to Paris. The dress was purposely simple, according to the future Queen's wishes. The tiara The new Queen of Sweden wore Empress Josephine's Cameo tiara, one of the most lavish and most important pieces in the Swedish royal family's jewel collection. It is made of five cameos and pearls set in red gold with a honeysuckle motif. The piece has previously been worn by Queen Ingrid of Denmark, who was born a princess of Sweden, the King's mother Princess Sybilla, and all of his sisters on their wedding days.

It has since been worn by Sylvia’s daughter Crown Princess Victoria at her wedding in 2010. The bride’s bouquet Sylvia carried a bouquet of orchids, lilies of the valley, stephanotis and jasmine, all in white. Related articles: King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. Biography, news, photos and videos Horoscope : Capricorn Carl Gustaf Folke Hubertus was born on April 30, 1946, at Haga Palace in Stockholm, the eldest son of Gustaf Adolf and Princess Sibylla of Sachsen-Coburg-Gotha. His father was never to accede the Swedish throne, dying tragically in a plane crash at Copenhagen airport when Carl Gustaf was just one year old. This meant that when the current king's grandfather Gustaf VI Adolf came to the throne in 1950, four-year-old Carl Gustaf became the crown prince and his education started in earnest. At first he was taught privately at the Royal Palace of Stockholm, before going on to attend Broms School and later Sigtuna Boarding School.

Like many young princes, he trained for over two years with the armed forces before studying political science, sociology, history, financial law and economics at the University of Uppsala. He then read economics at Stockholm University. With the death of his beloved grandfather, Carl Gustaf became king on September 15, 1973. He had already met the young women who was to become his queen. While attending the Munich Olympics the previous year, the then crown prince was introduced to a young interpreter called Silvia Sommerlath, who was working at the Games. Four years later, in March 1976, the couple announced their engagement. They were married on June 19 of that year and went on to have three children Crown Princess Victoria (born 1977), Prince Carl Philip (born 1979), and Princess Madeleine (born 1982). In 2001 they celebrated their silver anniversary with a two day event in the Swedish capital complete with costume ball and performance by Spice Girl Mel C.

The Swedish royal family is very sporty and all of its members love the outdoors life, spending much of the winter skiing in Storlien and the summer at the Solliden Palace on the island of Öland. Here they indulge their love of riding, water sports and gardening. A keen huntsman, sailor and water sports enthusiast, Carl Gustaf also participated in the famous Vasa Ski Race in 1977, 1987 and 1997. He is chairman of the Swedish arm of the World Wide Fund For Nature and has been awarded the United States Environmental Protection Agency Award in recognition of his environmental commitment. In 1977, he also took on the role of Honorary Chairman of the World Scout Foundation, an organisation of which he was a member as a child. Biography - Sveriges Kungahus Biography H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf. Photo: Alexis Daflos/Royal Court Carl XVI Gustaf, the King of Sweden, was born on 30 April 1946 at Haga Palace. He is son of then Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf and Princess Sibylla of Sachsen-Coburg-Gotha.

He was baptised at the Palace Church on 7 June 1946 and named Carl Gustaf Folke Hubertus. The King has four older sisters: the Princesses Margaretha, Birgitta, Désirée and Christina. His father Prince Gustaf Adolf died in a plane crash in 1947 in Copenhagen. Princess Sibylla died in Stockholm in 1972. Crown Prince at four years of age With the accession of Gustaf VI Adolf to the throne in 1950, following the death of Gustaf V, the four-year-old Carl Gustaf became Crown Prince. Crown Prince Carl Gustaf became the Swedish Head of State at the age of 27, following the death of King Gustaf VI Adolf, who died on 15 September 1973. The new King took "For Sweden - With the times" as his motto, thereby declaring his intention of meeting the demands of society on a modern monarch. Education The Crown Prince was taught privately at the Royal Palace of Stockholm during his pre-school years. He started school in the autumn of 1952, attending Broms School followed by the Sigtuna Boarding School.

He graduated from upper secondary school in 1966. School was followed by military service. The Crown Prince completed two and a half years' training in the Army, Navy and Air Force, with a special emphasis on naval training. Amongst other military activities, he took part in a long voyage on the mine-laying vessel Älvsnabben in the winter of 1966-67. Naval Officer Examination The Crown Prince passed his Naval Officer Examination in 1968. He later completed a command course at the Swedish National Defence College and complemented his naval training with officer´s duties on board various ships in the Swedish Navy. In 1968 The Crown Prince began a one-year programme of academic studies comprising History, Sociology, Political Science, Financial Law and Economics at the University of Uppsala. Later he also studied Economics at the University of Stockholm. Practical social studies The Crown Prince then followed a specially composed programme of field trips to national and local authorities, industries, factories, laboratories and schools.

He studied the Swedish judicial system, social welfare organisations and institutions, trade unions and employer associations, with a special emphasis on the work of the Riksdag (the Swedish Parliament), the Government and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. International studies In order to acquire international experience The Crown Prince participated in the work of the Permanent Mission of Sweden to the United Nations in New York and spent time working with SIDA (the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency) in Africa. He also spent considerable time in London - at Hambro Bank, the Swedish Embassy and the Swedish Chamber of Commerce - and in France at the Alfa Laval plant in Nevers. In addition, The Crown Prince represented Gustaf VI Adolf on a number of official occasions. In 1970, for example, he headed the Swedish delegation to the World Exposition in Osaka, Japan. Family During the Olympic Games in Munich, Germany in 1972, The Crown Prince met Miss Silvia Renate Sommerlath. She was working at the Games as an interpreter and hostess. Silvia Sommerlath was born in Heidelberg on 23 December 1943.

She is the daughter of Walther Sommerlath and his Brazilian wife Alice, née de Toledo, both now deceased. The Royal Wedding in 1976 The engagement of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Silvia Sommerlath was officially announced on 12 March 1976. They were married three months later on 19 June 1976 at Stockholm Cathedral. King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia have three children: Crown Princess Victoria, born on 14 July 1977, Prince Carl Philip, born on 13 May 1979 and Princess Madeleine, born on 10 June 1982. Under the Order of Succession introduced in 1980 by the Swedish Parliament, the throne passes to the eldest child. The Royal Family resided at the Royal Palace of Stockholm until 1981, when they moved to Drottningholm Palace.

King Carl XVI Gustaf's Enthronement: September 15, 1973 - The Royal Forums King Carl XVI Gustaf's Enthronement: September 15, 1973 Posts: 53 King Carl XVI Gustaf's Enthronement: September 15, 1973 On the 15th September 1973, HM King Gustav VI Adolf died (1882-1973), having acceded in 1950 on the death of his own father, HM King Gustav V (1858-1950). Prince Gustav Adolf, had been killed in 1947, and his son Prince Carl Gustaf had, in 1973, been crown prince for 23 years. The King of Sweden had maintained a court quite full of protocol and tradition. The enthronement ceremony, yet very solemn but more discreet than in the years of King Gustav VI Adolfï¿½s reign, took place on the 19th September, in the Hall of State of the Royal Palace in Stockholm.

In another room of the Royal Palace, the King presided over the Cabinet meeting, and after having announced what his title and name would be, he swore the King&#39;s oath from 1809 called "Konungafï¿½rsï¿½kran" and then he signed the enthronement documents. Text from and corrected by me. Some Pictures; Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 53 1) The King with his sisters wearing the traditional mourning dresses of the Swedish Court. From left: (HRH Princess Christina, HRH Princess Birgitta, Princess Desirï¿½e Baroness Silfverschiï¿½ld and Princess Margaretha Mrs. Ambler. He was warmly cheered by a several-thousand strong crowd, despite some unpopularity of himself as a Crown Prince. 2) The King and his sisters. 3) The King standing in front of the magnificent silver throne, which had the royal robes over it, to the right the crown and to the left the sceptre in cushions, the King spoke to the nation in a moving speech.

He said: ï¿½Iï¿½ll put my efforts in being able to respond to the burden of exigencies that fall over a monarch, nowadays. My grandfather, admired and beloved, had become a symbol of the modern monarchy. I am firmly decided to follow his example.ï¿½ Having the Prince, Bertil, by his side, he confidently showed his wish to pursue his grandfatherï¿½s work. The solemn ceremony gave an imposing touch by all the uniforms of the Kingï¿½s personal bodyguards, who stood beside the canopy. Attached Thumbnails Posts: 9,496 Thank you Emil great pictures.... He did not have a crown on his head, bur by his side, what does this crown look like. Is there a crown for a queen?

__________________ Location: , Sweden Posts: 9,496 September 22, it will be 30 yeras ago Carl Gustaf took on the role as King __________________ 4) here is one picture more from IBL Attached Images Quote: Originally posted by Josefine@Aug 22nd, 2003 - 11:37 am September 22, it will be 30 yeras ago Carl Gustaf took on the role as King It is September 15 Posts: 9,496 Quote: Originally posted by Emil+Aug 22nd, 2003 - 4:52 pm--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Emil @ Aug 22nd, 2003 - 4:52 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin--Josefine@Aug 22nd, 2003 - 11:37 am September 22, it will be 30 yeras ago Carl Gustaf took on the role as King It is

 September 15 [/b][/quote] thanks Emil :flower: i was a little fast to trust IBL.se :P or did his Enthronement take place 22ndbut he took over the title King from his grandpa the day he died what date did his granpa die?

__________________ Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 53 The late Gustaf VI Adolf died on September 15, 1973. The cermony for the new King was on September 19 at the Royal Palace. Location: North Little Rock, United States Posts: 3,448 you have add picture crowned of Slivia when she become Queen? what year i need know ? Sara Boyce Quote: Originally posted by Emil@Jan 4th, 2003 - 1:57 pm He was warmly cheered by a several-thousand strong crowd, despite some unpopularity of himself as a Crown Prince. Why was he unpopular as crown prince. What happened or what did he say that didn&#39;t set right? Location: , Canada Posts: 659 Hmm...a little hasty with the coronation...four days after his grandpa died? Wouldn&#39;t they have waited a few weeks..a month? Wow... moosey60&nbsp; Posted: Sep 29th, 2003 - 7:34 pm Hmm...a little hasty with the coronation...four days after his grandpa died?

Wouldn&#39;t they have waited a few weeks..a month? Wow... And let an invader in? __________________ Posted: Sep 29th, 2003 - 5:43 pm Quote: (Emil @ Jan 4th, 2003 - 1:57 pm) ... despite some unpopularity of himself as a Crown Prince. Why was he unpopular as crown prince. What happened or what did he say that didn&#39;t set right? I have heard about his unpopularity too ..... what was it all about? __________________ Originally posted by haakon2@Sep 29th, 2003 - 4:51 pm I have heard about his unpopularity too ..... what was it all about? What I heard was from a Swedish citizen who said he objected to some comment by the King that poor people need to learn to pull themselves up by their bootstraps. He found it offensive since King Carl Gustaf has never worked a day in his life. He also related it in some way to the King&#39;s love of hunting -- birds? I don&#39;t remember the relevant details now.

At the same time, he also admitted that his opinion was in a minority and most of the Swedish people were solidly behind the royal family. ------------------------------------------------------ In the 21st century of disposable people, places and things, I want/need to see the royal families continued. The rules of existence are different now than before and I don&#39;t think a lot of royals realize that. Diana, Princess of Wales, knew what was required. Of the crown princes, I see the most potential in CP Haakon, who as I understand it, told his people that they could accept his wife, or he would no longer be their prince. That is so admirable in putting family values first and foremost -- something that will be required of all royal families if they are to survive. (If Prince Charles ever gets to become king, I&#39;ll give him 6 months before the people revolt). The other thing that is so important is real focus on some charity actually needed by the common people. Sorry to say, this doesn&#39;t include opening some museum with million dollar collections of art or china, and it doesn&#39;t include support of some hoity-toity fantasies of promoting some architectural style.

A portrait of a marriage: King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden - Photo 1 A portrait of a marriage: King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden 1/7 by hellomagazine.com A closer look at the royal couple's 34 year-long union More on: gallery When Carl Gustaf became the king of Sweden, succeeding his grandfather at the tender age of 27 on September 15, 1973, he had already met his future queen. One year earlier, while attending the 1972 Summer Games in Munich, he was introduced to a young woman by the name of Silvia Sommerlath, who was working there as an interpreter and hostess. She brought happiness to a life that had seen tragedy with the death of his father when he was just seven-months-old and his subsequent childhood in a strict household. Up until the publication of a biography detailing allegations of the sovereign's extra-marital liaisons there has been nothing to suggest that the two had anything other than a contented union The king has said that the couple just 'clicked' from the outset.

On March 12, 1976, – four years after their first meeting – Carl Gustaf and Silvia announced their engagement Three months later, on June 19, the couple were married in Stockholm Cathedral – the first marriage of a reigning monarch in nearly 200 years. It was the start of a long and loving union that has spanned some 34 years To the couple's delight, on July 14, 1977, their first child arrived – daughter Crown Princess Victoria Ingrid Alice Desiree (pictured). Two more children followed – Prince Carl Philip , born on May 13, 1979, and Princess Madeleine , born on June 10, 1982. Carl Philip was the crown prince until 1980 when the Swedish Act of Succession was changed to make the monarch's eldest child the heir, regardless of gender Carl Gustaf and Silvia have a close relationship with their children, who, as modern royals, have faced their share of troubles in the spotlight.

Victoria initally caused controversy when she began dating, and later married , former gym owner Daniel Westling ; her younger sister's engagement was called off in April amid reports of her fiance's infidelity; and Carl Philip ended a decade-long romance and began seeing Sofia Hellqvist , a reality TV show model who has posed in a G-string, with a python draped around her. The devoted parents, nevertheless, stood by their offspring, and as a result, seemed to become closer in the face of stories that rocked the royal household These latest revelations may test the well-loved couple and their family but they will no doubt face them with the composure and dignity for which they are known © 2000-2017, HELLO INC. The Swedish monarchy Home / Society / The Swedish monarchy The Swedish monarchy In 1980, Sweden became the first monarchy to change its succession rites so that the first-born child of the monarch is heir to the throne, regardless of gender. Ambitious and with charm to spare, Crown Princess Victoria seems more than ready for the task.

Photo: Anders Wiklund/TT The Swedish monarchy In 1980, Sweden became the first monarchy to change its succession rites so that the first-born child of the monarch is heir to the throne, regardless of gender. Ambitious and with charm to spare, Crown Princess Victoria seems more than ready for the task. In the spotlight The Swedish monarchy is certainly used to the eyes of media. Recent years have offered up a series of weddings and births that have put them even more into the spotlight – nationally and internationally. Perhaps none was as widely followed as the marriage on 19 June 2010 between Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling. As the eldest of three siblings, Victoria is first in line to the Swedish throne, and as such she has become a high­ly popular ambassador for the country. Heir apparent Already before Victoria was born, there were discussions about changing the Succession Act and make it gender neutral. The change eventually took place three years after her birth but was made retroactive, which immediately changed Victoria’s title from Princess to Crown Princess. The celebrations around her marriage to Daniel, previously a gym owner and personal trainer, lasted for three days, and thousands of people assembled to offer their congratulations.

International press, meanwhile, spread the news around the globe. Daniel Westling was given the title H.R.H. Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland. Eighteen months later they had their first child, a baby princess. Second in line to the Swedish throne, Princess Estelle Silvia Ewa Mary was born on 23 February 2012 at Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm. They are expecting their second child in March 2016. Royal nuptials Almost on the day two years later, on 20 February 2014, Victoria’s younger sister Madeleine gave birth to Princess Leonore Lilian Maria. The father is British–American businessman Christopher O’Neill. Their second child, Prince Nicolas, was born on 15 June 2015. The couple were married on 8 June 2013 at the Royal Palace in Stockholm, and celebrations were held afterwards at the family home at the Palace of Drottningholm. To retain her H.R.H. title, Princess Madeleine has not taken the O’Neill surname.

Unlike Prince Daniel, O’Neill has not added Bernadotte to his name, preferring instead to retain his UK and US citizenships. He therefore has no royal titles and is not an official member of the Swedish Royal Family. Prince Carl Philip, the second oldest of the three siblings, is third in line of succession to the Swedish throne after Crown Princess Victoria and her daughter Princess Estelle. On 13 June 2015 he got married to Sofia Hellqvist, now H.R.H. Princess Sofia. She is a former model and reality television contestant. The two have lived together since 2011. Royal family with French origins Swedish monarchs date back around a thousand years and have belonged to eleven dynasties, with the current one, the House of Bernadotte, ruling the longest. Jean Baptiste Bernadotte was the first Bernadotte on the Swedish throne. Born in France in 1763, he was named heir to the Swedish throne in 1810. His name as king was Karl XIV Johan. The Swedish Royal Family is related to all the reigning royal courts of Europe.

Carl XVI Gustaf It was not a coincidence that Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel chose to get married on 19 June. On that date in 1976, Sweden’s current King Carl XVI Gustaf married Queen Silvia. King Carl XVI Gustaf is the seventh monarch of the House of Bernadotte. He was born on 30 April 1946 as the fifth child and only son of Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf and Princess Sibylla. Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf died in an air crash in Denmark the following year. In 1950, Carl Gustaf became Crown Prince of Sweden when his great-grandfather Gustaf V died and was succeeded by the then 68-year-old Gustaf VI Adolf, the Crown Prince’s grandfather. After serving as monarch for 23 years, Gustaf Adolf passed away in 1973. That same year, at the age of 27, the Crown Prince became King Carl XVI Gustaf.

His motto is ‘For Sweden – with the times.’ Queen with a career In 1972, when still the Crown Prince, Carl Gustaf met his German-Brazilian future wife, Silvia Sommerlath, who was born in 1943 in Germany. They met in Munich during the Olympic Games, where Silvia was chief hostess. A trained interpreter without either royal or noble origins, Silvia is the first Swedish queen to have had a professional career. She married King Carl Gustaf in 1976. At the time royal weddings that included non-nobility were highly unusual, and Queen Silvia has since modernised the position of queen so that it is in step with the times. Her relationship with the King is considered very equal, and she has taken strong initiatives to pursue several social issues close to her heart, in particular children’s rights.

The King and Queen have three children: Crown Princess Victoria Ingrid Alice Désirée, Duchess of Västergötland, born on 14 July 1977; Prince Carl Philip Edmund, Duke of Värmland, born on 13 May 1979; and Princess Madeleine Thérèse Amelie Josephine, Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland, born on 10 June 1982. Drottningholm Palace Drottningholm Palace, just outside Stockholm, has been home to the Swedish Royal Family since 1981. Today, however, only the King and Queen live there. Built by the architect Nicodemus Tessin the Elder in the 17th Century, the palace is highly characteristic of European royal architecture of the time. With large parts open to visitors, the palace is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Three generations of the Swedish Royal Family, with life partners. Clockwise from left: Christopher O’Neill, Princess Madeleine with daughter Leonore, Prince Daniel, Crown Princess Victoria with daughter Estelle, Prince Carl Philip, Sofia Hellqvist, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia.

Photo: Anna-Lena Ahlström/Kungahuset.se For Sweden – with the times Sweden is one of the world’s most stable and egalitarian democracies, with a monarchy that has strong roots and public support. As head of state, the King is Sweden’s foremost unifying symbol. According to the 1974 constitution, the monarch has no political affinity and no formal powers. The King’s duties are mainly of a ceremonial and representative nature. King Carl XVI Gustaf has a strong commitment to the global environment and is a recognised authority on environ­mental issues. Among other things, he has received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Award. He is likewise deeply committed to the preser­vation of Sweden’s cultural heritage and con­siders it important that the public has access to the royal palaces with their collections and parks. Keeping busy King Carl XVI Gustaf is an active monarch who keeps up to date on current affairs and the Swedish business sector. In addition to two or three state visits abroad each year, he takes part in inter­national trips organised by the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences and the World Scout Foundation .

Under the collective label ‘Royal Colloquium’, the King also organises high-level seminars on various themes in collaboration with Swedish scientists. The Royal Family receives thousands of invitations each year. Once a week, the King holds a planning meeting with the Queen, the Crown Princess and their closest staff members to discuss the invitations and decide which are most important. They make sure that their appearances are spread across Sweden. When the King is prevented from performing his duties as head of state, for example during a trip abroad, Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Carl Philip or Princess Madeleine, in that order, assume the duties of temporary regent. Famous Swedish monarchs Gustav II Adolf (1611-1632) By intervening in the Thirty Years’ War, Gustav II Adolf came to assume great political importance, and internationally is the best known of Sweden’s kings. Under his rule, Sweden became a leading military power. Gustav II Adolf was killed in 1632 at the Battle of Lützen.

Kristina (1632-1654) Excepting the short caretaker government of Queen Ulrika Eleonora 1719–20, Kristina is the only female monarch of the modern Swedish kingdom. She succeeded Gustav II Adolf in 1632, just before her sixth birthday, and ruled for 22 years. Kristina abdicated in 1654, converting to Catholicism and settling in Rome, and was succeeded by her cousin, Karl Gustav. When he died in 1660, she traveled to Sweden in the hope of reclaiming the throne. Her claim was rejected by parliament, however, and Kristina returned to Rome. Gustav III (1771-1792) Usually called the Theatre King, Gustav III was a keen patron of the arts, and founded the first opera in Stockholm in 1782, the Swedish Academy and the Royal Aca­demy of Music. His reign was not popular with the high nobility, however, and opposition culminated in a conspiracy in 1792, when he was shot at a masked ball held at the opera. He died shortly after.

Crown Princess Victoria, on a visit to the United Nations in New York City in 2013. Photo: J. Countess/WireImage Crown Princess Victoria – Sweden’s future queen When she succeeds her father, Crown Princess Victoria will become Sweden’s 70th monarch, the third female monarch in the history of the Kingdom of Sweden, and the first since 1720. The heir to the throne should be raised so as to represent Sweden in an appropriate and constitutionally correct way. This is in part to maintain the popular support of the Swedish people, a key to be effective. Crown Princess Victoria’s agenda includes attending official dinners, openings and visits from foreign dignitaries. She also attends the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs and the information councils with Government ministers, and steps in as a temporary regent when needed. Victoria has by now made many official trips abroad as a representative of Sweden. Her first major official visit on her own was to Japan in 2001, where she promoted Swedish design, music, gastronomy and environmental sustainability. She speaks English, French and German and is in great demand as an ambassador for Swedish ventures in culture, art and design – which are also personal interests.

Issues surrounding crisis and conflict management, including international peace-building, are also of particular interest to Victoria. During her first few months as a mother in 2012, Victoria’s calendar was completely cleared, but she has now more or less returned to her usual schedule. Thorough education Victoria began her formal education at local public schools, switching to a private school when she began her secondary school studies. Despite having dyslexia, she graduated in 1996 with good grades thanks to a steadfast commitment and devotion to learning. The Crown Princess’ studies at universities and other academic institutions constitute an important part of her edu­cation – but as heir to the throne she must also continuously maintain a breadth of knowledge on social issues. Courses in individual subjects have been prioritised over a specific academic degree. After graduating from upper secondary school, the Crown Princess studied French for foreign students at the Université Catholique de l’Ouest in Angers, France. In 1998, she enrolled at Yale University in the US where she studied for five semesters, taking courses in geology, history and international relations.

During her time at Yale, her interest in international issues deepened and she took private lessons in current affairs, wrote an essay on the role of the United Nations in Iraq and completed internships at the UN in New York and the Swedish Embassy in Washington, DC. In the spring of 2002, she continued her international studies at the Department of Peace and Conflict Research at Uppsala University , Sweden. She has studied the structure and functioning of Swedish society, partly through internships at Swedish government offices and various other institutions. Through a study programme at the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), she visited Uganda and Ethiopia. She has also served as an intern at the offices of the Swedish Trade Council in Berlin and Paris, has undergone basic military training and has taken courses at the Swedish National Defence College (Försvarshögskolan) in Stockholm. More about Crown Princess Victoria Artistic talents The Crown Princess enjoys both painting and drawing. She appreciates the cultural heritage left by her ancestors, and is also proud to wear the jewellery worn by previous generations of the Royal Family at major celebrations. Royal ties The Crown Princess is in contact with other European heirs to the throne.

She has had especially close ties with her Nordic counterparts, the heirs to the thrones of Denmark and Norway. Office in Old Town Along with the King and the Queen, Crown Princess Victoria has her office and staff at the Royal Palace in Stockholm’s Old Town. Leisure interests Crown Princess Victoria enjoys spending time in nature. She likes to take long walks, ski and pursue other outdoor activities. She is genuinely fond of animals and dogs are her favourites. As a young mother she spends time with her daughter Estelle in the gardens of their home. Living in Haga Palace Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel and their daughter Estelle live in Haga Palace outside Stockholm, the birthplace and early home of King Carl XVI Gustaf. Fund for children The Crown Princess Victoria Fund was set up in 1997 to help provide recreational activities for children with functional disabilities or chronic illnesses. Approved grants cover expenses for recreational trips. Every summer, Swedish public service television (SVT) carries out fundraising drives for the Victoria Fund. The fund mainly survives thanks to donations by the public, but companies also contribute. Useful links

Question: Who became the King of Sweden on 15 September 1973?
Answer: King Carl XVI Gustaf