Carl XVI Gustaf (Carl Gustaf Folke Hubertus; born 30 April 1946) isKing of Sweden, reigning since 1973. Having reigned for 52 years, he is the longest-reigning monarch inSwedish history.
Carl Gustaf acceded to the throne upon his grandfather's death on 15 September 1973. Shortly after he became king, the new1974 Instrument of Government took effect, formally stripping the monarchy of its remaining executive powers. As a result, Carl Gustaf no longer performs many of the duties normally accorded to ahead of state in parliamentary regimes, such as the formal appointment of the prime minister, signing legislation into law, and beingcommander-in-chief of the nation's military. The new instrument explicitly limited the king to ceremonial and representative functions, while he retained the right to be regularly informed of affairs of state. As head of theHouse of Bernadotte, Carl Gustaf has also been able to make a number of decisions about the titles and positions of its members.
Prince Carl Gustaf was also given the title of the Duke ofJämtland. His father,Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten, was killed in anairplane crash on 26 January 1947 atCopenhagen Airport. His father's death had left the nine-month-old prince second in line for the throne, behind his grandfather, then Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf. When his paternal great-grandfather,Gustaf V died in 1950, the four-year-old prince became theheir apparent of Sweden.[7]
Carl Gustaf was seven years old before he was told about his father's death. He expressed his feelings about growing up without knowing his father in a speech in 2005.[8]
Youth and education
The 15-year-old Crown Prince of Sweden looks at the recently recovered 17th-century warshipVasa in 1961.
To prepare for his role ashead of state, Carl Gustaf followed a broad program of studies on the court system, social organisations and institutions,trade unions, and employers' associations. In addition, he closely studied the affairs of theRiksdag, Government, andMinistry for Foreign Affairs. He also spent time at the Swedish mission to theUnited Nations and theSwedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), worked at a bank and the Swedish embassy in London, and at the Swedish Chamber of Commerce and at theAlfa Laval Company factory in France. In 1970, he represented King Gustaf VI Adolf at the head of the Swedish delegation to theWorld Exposition inOsaka, Japan. Since his youth, Carl Gustaf has been a strong supporter of theScout Movement in Sweden.[10]
Carl Gustaf ascended the throne upon the death of his grandfather, Gustaf VI Adolf, on 15 September 1973. Four days later, he took the required regal assurance (Swedish:Konungaförsäkran) during an extraordinary meeting of the cabinet. Afterwards, he appeared before members of parliament, the diplomatic corps and court in the Hall of State at the Royal Palace where he was enthroned onthe Silver Throne and gave a speech. Both the cabinet meeting and ceremony at the Hall were broadcast live on television. Following the ceremonies, he appeared on the balcony to acknowledge gathered crowds.[13]
Carl Gustaf undertook his first state visit as king on 6 October 1974, meeting with his godfather KingOlav V in Norway.[14]
The royal family appearing on the balcony of the Royal Palace for the king's 66th birthday, 30 April 2012
Carl Gustaf holds the highest ranks in the three branches of theSwedish Armed Forces; this is due to the fact that he was, as stipulated by § 14 of the1809 Instrument of Government in effect at the time of his accession to the throne in 1973, theCommander-in-Chief (Swedish:Högste Befälhavare; not to be confused with the military professional holding the position ofSupreme Commander) and therefore he was promotedex officio from his earlier ranks of captain (Army & Air Force) and lieutenant (Navy), togeneral andadmiral. Under the provisions of theInstrument of Government of 1974, which became effective on 1 January 1975, the King no longer holds this constitutionally-mandated position, but he kept his ranksà la suite since he no longer has any military command authority, except overHis Majesty's Military Staff.
On 26 April 2018, Carl Gustaf became the longest-reigning Swedish monarch when he surpassedMagnus Eriksson's reign of 44 years and 222 days.[17]
Carl Gustaf's Golden Jubilee was celebrated in 2023. The celebrations included tours of all of Sweden's 21 counties, a jubilee banquet at the Royal Palace and a carriage procession through the streets of Stockholm. Leading up to his jubilee and beginning in 2018, Carl Gustaf and the way his monarchy has developed saw a rise in criticism being published.[18][19][20][21] Support for the monarchy overall remained strong in the Swedish public, however, in large part due to the popularity ofCrown Princess Victoria.[22]
Following theabdication of his cousin,Margrethe II of Denmark, Carl Gustaf became the longest-serving incumbent head of state in Europe and the longest-reigningsovereign in the world.[23] His reign saw Sweden end over 200 years of neutrality by joiningNATO on 18 March 2024.[24][25]
Views
Carl Gustaf has made a number of controversial statements considered political. In 1989, he criticised Norway'sseal hunting policy, saying that "if [prime minister]Gro Harlem Brundtland cannot take care of the seal problems, I wonder how she will be able to take care of the Norwegian people".[26][27] In 2004, after a state visit toBrunei, he praised SultanHassanal Bolkiah and described Brunei as an "open country", despite its controversialhuman rights record.[28] In 2023 Carl Gustaf said that while he understands that Brunei has a non-democratic form of government, it is still an open country.[29]
Following the2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, in which many Swedes died, then-prime ministerGöran Persson had failed to carry out his constitutional obligation to inform the king on matters of state, resulting in criticism of his government. During a memorial ceremony held atStockholm City Hall on 10 January 2005 the king gave a highly praised speech which restored support of the monarchy.[30][31]
In 2015, Carl Gustaf offered to assist in resolving a diplomatic crisis between Sweden andSaudi Arabia, which began when foreign ministerMargot Wallström criticized Saudi Arabia's form of government and human rights situation. Saudi Arabia responded by recalling its ambassador to Sweden and ending a military co-operation agreement between the two nations. TheSwedish government then reportedly asked Carl Gustaf to write a letter to theSaudi Arabian king, which ended the crisis.[32][33] In 2016, Carl Gustaf said that the letter he wrote played a role in resolving the dispute with Saudi Arabia and added that he had "good relations" with the Saudi king, which led to criticism.[34][35][36]
In 2016, Carl Gustaf intervened in a debate surrounding the proposed Nobel Center atBlasieholmen in central Stockholm, near theNationalmuseum and old town, saying that the proposed structure was "too big and in the wrong place" and that it "could be relocated".[37] Following the2018 election, the City of Stockholm abandoned the original proposal, opting instead for creating new plans nearSlussen.[38][39]
In December 2020, Carl Gustaf said that Sweden "failed" to save lives with its approach to dealing with theCOVID-19 pandemic, which involved not imposing a full nationallockdown.[40]
In March 2022, the King condemned theRussian invasion of Ukraine during a visit to the Life Regiment Hussars to present a new standard to the regiment. He stated that Europe was in an extremely difficult situation and accused Russia of violating international law and creating a humanitarian catastrophe.[41][42]
In 2023, theNobel Foundation announced that they intended to invite ambassadors fromRussia,Belarus andIran to attend that year's Nobel Prize awards ceremony. This sparked mass criticism and the royal court issued a statement saying the king was still deciding on whether or not to attend the ceremony, as has been tradition since it was first held. Many leaders of political parties also threatened to boycott the ceremony.[43][44] Eventually the Foundation backed down on its decision.[45]
During a ceremony held outside theRiksdag building to mark Sweden's accession to NATO in 2024, Carl Gustaf described the move to join the alliance as a new era in Swedish security policy and reaffirmed Sweden's wish for peace.[24][25] At the 2025Society and Defence National Conference in Sälen, Carl Gustaf addressed Sweden's security situation. He said that whilst Sweden was not at war it could no longer consider itself at peace, echoing a sentiment voiced by prime ministerUlf Kristersson. He also highlighted the need societal preparedness and stated that he believed the public's willingness to defend the realm had grown in recent years.[46][47]
Personal life
Personal interests
Carl Gustaf is passionate about the environment, technology, agriculture, trade, and industry. Like many members of the Swedish royal family, he has a keen interest in automobiles. He owns severalPorsche 911s, a car model which is said to be a particular favourite of his, as well as a vintageVolvo PV444, aFerrari 456M GT, anAC Cobra and other cars.[48] The first pictures taken of him and his future wife were of them sitting in his Porsche 911. In the summer of 2005, he was involved in a traffic accident inNorrköping, which was described as a "fender bender", with no serious personal injuries. Nevertheless, the incident caused national headlines.[49] Carl Gustaf and Silvia have attended several Summer and WinterOlympic Games.[50][51][52]
King Carl XVI Gustaf with Queen Silvia at the royal wedding of their daughter Victoria
Carl Gustaf metSilvia Sommerlath, an interpreter and host born to a German father and a Brazilian mother, at the1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. They married on 19 June 1976, atStockholm Cathedral, in a ceremony officiated by theArchbishop of Uppsala, Olof Sundby.[55] The wedding was preceded the previous evening by a Royal Variety Performance, at which, among other performances, the Swedish musical groupABBA gave one of the first performances of "Dancing Queen", as a tribute to Sweden's future queen.[56]
Carl Gustaf and Silvia's first joint state visit was to the Netherlands, on 25 October 1976.[14] In 1980, Carl Gustaf and his family moved toDrottningholm Palace west of Stockholm, although they continue to perform their official working duties at the Royal Palace of Stockholm.
King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia have three children and nine grandchildren:
Prince Carl Philip was born theheir apparent. However, a constitutional reform, which was already underway at the time of his birth, made his elder sister, Victoria, the heir apparent and Crown Princess of Sweden when it took effect on 1 January 1980, making Sweden the first monarchy to adoptabsolute primogeniture for itsline of succession.[57] Carl Gustaf expressed criticism at his son losing the position and title which he had from birth as a result of the adoption of said law.[58]
Health
In February 2023, Carl Gustaf underwent "a surgical intervention withcatheter technology in the heart area."[59]
Use of remaining power
Carl Gustaf created a new Swedish double duchy for his daughterPrincess Madeleine (left) in 1982, whereasher husband in 2013 declined the king's offer to become a Swedish prince and duke, and is styledHerr Christopher O'Neill in Sweden.[relevant?]
So empowered as head of theHouse of Bernadotte,[60] King Carl Gustaf, since he was enthroned in 1973, has made a number of personal decisions regarding the titles and positions of relatives and family members, including the demotion of a sister, elevation of severalcommoners to royalty, rebuff of an elderly uncle's wishes and the creation of new Swedish titles and duchies.
1974: his sisterChristina married a non-royal Swedish man and Carl Gustaf followed the example which his grandfather and predecessor had set for two of Christina's older sisters with like marriages, so Christina was removed from theRoyal House, no longer aRoyal Highness and was given the courtesy titlePrincess Christina, Mrs. Magnuson (a special non-royal, non-noble style first invented in 1953 byKing Haakon VII of Norway for his granddaughterRagnhild).
1976: his own choice, taking advantage of his constitutional prerogative as king when he married a non-royal German-Brazilian woman, saw her createdHer Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden.
1976: his paternal uncleBertil (later that year) married the non-royal British woman who had lived with Bertil for decades, and (with Bertil's titles) Carl Gustaf created her aRoyal Highness Princess of Sweden and Duchess of Halland.
1977: his daughterVictoria was born, and in 1980, Carl Gustaf created her Duchess of Västergötland (which has had duchesses before).
1979: his sonCarl Philip was born, and Carl Gustaf created him Duke of Värmland (which has had dukes before).
1982: his daughterMadeleine was born, and Carl Gustaf created a new duchy for her as Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland.
1983: his paternal uncleSigvard, since 1934 no longer Prince of Sweden because of a non-royal marriage to a German woman, supported by legal experts[61] announced his own title asPrince Sigvard Bernadotte, 18 years later clearly citing a great-unclePrince Oscar Bernadotte's title as his main precedent;[62] however, Sigvard died in 2002 with Carl Gustaf never having responded to his uncle's statement, and with theRoyal Court of Sweden consistently refusing to honor it.
2003: his paternal grandfather's first cousinCarl died, and Carl Gustaf formally recognized his Belgian title by allowingPrince Carl Bernadotte on the gravestone at theRoyal Cemetery which is owned by the king; in 2014 he did the same there, allowing Carl's widow's name asPrincessKristine Bernadotte when she died.
2010: his daughter Victoria married a non-royal Swede whom Carl Gustaf created aRoyal Highness Prince of Sweden and (with her title) Duke of Västergötland.
2012: his granddaughterEstelle was born and created Duchess of Östergötland (which has had duchesses before).
2013: his daughter Madeleine married a non-royal British American who declined Swedish citizenship, and Carl Gustaf gave him the special courtesy title ofHerr (with a capital h).
2014: his granddaughter Leonore was born and created Duchess of Gotland (which also previously has been a duchy).
2015: his son Carl Philip married a non-royal Swede whom Carl Gustaf created aRoyal Highness Princess of Sweden and (with the son's title) Duchess of Värmland.
2015: his grandson Nicolas was born, and Carl Gustaf created a new duchy for him as Duke of Ångermanland.
2016: his grandsonOscar was born and created Duke of Scania (which has had dukes before).
2016: his grandson Alexander was born (later that year) and created Duke of Södermanland (which has had dukes before).
2017: his grandson Gabriel was born and created Duke of Dalarna (which has had dukes before).
2018: his granddaughter Adrienne was born, and Carl Gustaf created a new duchy for her as Duchess of Blekinge.
2019: Carl Gustaf issued a statement rescinding theroyal status of his grandchildren Leonore, Nicolas, Alexander, Gabriel and Adrienne in an effort to more strictly associate Swedish royalty to the office of the head of state; the five are still to be styled as princes/princesses and dukes/duchesses of their provinces, and they remain in the line of succession to the throne.[63][64][65]
2021: his grandson Julian was born and created Duke of Halland (which has had dukes before) with the same standing of 2019 as his elder brothers.
2025: his granddaughter Ines was born and created Duchess of Västerbotten with the same standing of 2019 as her elder brothers.
Carl XVI Gustaf ended the centuries-old traditional style "King of Sweden, theGoths and theWends", instead choosing the simpler title "King of Sweden" (Sveriges konung).[66][13] Hispersonal motto is "For Sweden – with the times" (För Sverige – i tiden).[67][68]
On his creation as Duke of Jämtland, Carl XVI Gustaf was granted an achievement of arms which featured the arms of Jämtland in base (these arms can be seen on hisstallplate as knight of the DanishOrder of the Elephant atFrederiksborg Palace). Since his accession to the throne, he has used thegreater coat of arms of Sweden although he is still associated with the ducal title of Jämtland he held as a prince.
Arms of Carl Gustaf as Duke ofJämtland from 1950 to his accession
^ab"HM The King".Royal Court of Sweden. Retrieved26 October 2024.In 1968, The Crown Prince began a special academic education programme including courses in history, sociology, political science, financial law and economics at Uppsala University. He also studied courses in national economics at Stockholm University.
^Rudberg, Erik, ed. (1947).Svenska dagbladets årsbok 1946 (in Swedish). Stockholm:Svenska Dagbladet. p. 43.SELIBR283647.
^Lundgren, R.; Larsson, A.; Jaeger, A.; Engman, A.; Malmberg, A.; Fotoreportage, S.; Bild, A. (2017).Sibylla: En biografi (in Swedish). Albert Bonniers Förlag. p. 22-IA52.ISBN978-91-0-017023-3.Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved17 June 2020.
^Schiller, Harald (1970). Olsson, Nils (ed.).Händelser man minns: en krönika i ord och bild 1920–1969 (in Swedish). Stockholm: Samverkande bokförlags försäljningsorganisation. p. 1946/5.SELIBR569745.
^"Toinis metod hjälpte Carl Philip" [Toini's method helped Carl Philip].Expressen (in Swedish). 18 September 1997. p. 109.En dyslektiker kan lära sig att läsa och skriva efter bara 50 timmars träning. Det säger nu Toini Prim, en av Sveriges ledande dyslexiexperter. Prim har tidigare bland annat hjälpt till att behandla prins Carl Philip. [A dyslexic can learn to read and write after just 50 hours of training, says Toini Prim, one of Sweden's leading dyslexia experts. Prim has previously helped treat Prince Carl Philip, among others.]
^"Med Drottningholmsom lekplats" [With Drottningholm as a playground].Dagens Nyheters bilaga (in Swedish). 16 May 2010. p. 25.Rätt snart upptäcktes att Victoria hade ärvt faderns dyslexi och hon kämpade hårt för att hålla jämna steg med klasskamraterna. [It was soon discovered that Victoria had inherited her father's dyslexia and she struggled to keep up with her classmates.]
^"Nordisk kontakt" [Nordic Contact].Nordisk Kontakt (in Swedish) (5–16): 809. 1973. Retrieved13 May 2021.Den nye kungen avgav vid konselj den 19 september den ålderdomliga kungaförsäkran och meddelade att hans namn och titel skulle vara Carl XVI Gustaf, Sveriges konung ( alltså inte som tidigare Sveriges, Götes och Vendes konung)
^"Who Is in the Order of the Garter?".www.aol.com. 17 June 2024. Retrieved15 February 2025.The King of Sweden joined in 1983 as a Stranger Knight. In this photo, he walks in the Garter Day procession alongside Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, in 1985.
^䝪䞊䜲䝇䜹䜴䝖日本連盟 きじ章受章者 [Recipient of the Golden Pheasant Award of the Scout Association of Japan](PDF).Reinanzaka Scout Club (in Japanese). 23 May 2014. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 11 August 2020.
1Also prince of Norway 2Also prince of Poland and Lithuania 3Lost his title due to an unequal marriage 4Not Swedish prince by birth, but created prince of Sweden
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