Carl XVI Gustaf facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carl XVI Gustaf |
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Carl XVI Gustaf in 2018
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| King of Sweden | |||||
| Reign | 15 September 1973 – present | ||||
| Enthronement | 19 September 1973 | ||||
| Predecessor | Gustaf VI Adolf | ||||
| Heir apparent | Victoria | ||||
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| Born | 30 April 1946 Haga Palace, Solna, Sweden |
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| House | Bernadotte | ||||
| Father | Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten | ||||
| Mother | Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha | ||||
| Religion | Church of Sweden | ||||
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| Swedish Royal Family |
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HRH Princess Birgitta Extended royal family
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Carl XVI Gustaf (born 30 April 1946) is the current King of Sweden. His full name is Carl Gustaf Folke Hubertus. He has been the King since 1973, making him the longest-reigning monarch in Swedish history.
Carl Gustaf was born when his great-grandfather, King Gustaf V, was still king. He was the only son of Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten, and Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. When Carl Gustaf was just nine months old, his father died in an airplane crash. This meant Carl Gustaf became the heir apparent (the next in line for the throne) at age four, when his grandfather, Gustaf VI Adolf, became king in 1950.
He became King on 15 September 1973, after his grandfather passed away. Soon after, a new law called the 1974 Instrument of Government changed the role of the Swedish monarchy. This law removed most of the King's political power. Now, the King mainly has ceremonial duties. He represents Sweden but does not appoint the prime minister or sign laws. He is kept informed about important state matters. As the head of the House of Bernadotte, he also makes decisions about royal titles.
In June 1976, Carl Gustaf married Silvia Sommerlath. They have three children: Victoria, Carl Philip, and Madeleine. In 1980, a new law made his eldest child, Victoria, the Crown Princess. This law, called absolute primogeniture, means the oldest child, regardless of gender, inherits the throne.
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Early Life of the King
Carl Gustaf was born on 30 April 1946 at Haga Palace in Solna, near Stockholm. He was the youngest of five children and the only son. He was christened on 7 June 1946 by the Archbishop of Uppsala.
His godparents included royal family members from Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands. He was also given the title of the Duke of Jämtland. His father died in an airplane crash in 1947. This made the nine-month-old prince second in line to the throne. When his great-grandfather, King Gustaf V, died in 1950, Carl Gustaf became the next in line. He was four years old at the time.
Carl Gustaf was seven when he learned about his father's death. He has spoken about growing up without knowing his father.
Education and Youth
Carl Gustaf first studied privately at the Royal Palace. He then attended Broms school and Sigtuna boarding school. After finishing high school in 1966, he spent two and a half years training in the Swedish Army, Royal Swedish Navy, and Swedish Air Force. He even sailed around the world on a ship called Älvsnabben.
By 1968, he became an officer in all three military branches. He later reached the rank of captain in the army and air force, and lieutenant in the navy. He also studied history, sociology, political science, tax law, and economics at Uppsala University and Stockholm University.
To prepare for his future role as head of state, Carl Gustaf learned about the government, social groups, and international relations. He spent time at the Swedish Mission to the United Nations and worked at a bank in London. He also worked at the Swedish Embassy there and at a company in France. In 1970, he represented the King at the World Exposition in Japan. Since he was young, the King has been a strong supporter of the Scout Movement.
Carl Gustaf has dyslexia, a learning difficulty that affects reading. His daughter, Crown Princess Victoria, and his son, Prince Carl Philip, also have dyslexia.
The King's Reign
Carl Gustaf became King of Sweden on 15 September 1973. On 19 September, he officially took his oath during a special cabinet meeting. He then appeared before the parliament and other officials at the Royal Palace. He sat on the Silver Throne and gave a speech. These events were shown live on television. He chose "For Sweden – With the times" (För Sverige – i tiden) as his personal motto.
As King, he is Sweden's main representative. He makes state visits to other countries and welcomes foreign leaders to Sweden. He also opens the annual session of the Riksdag (the Swedish parliament). He chairs important meetings with the Prime Minister and Cabinet. He also receives official documents from foreign ambassadors. The King does not vote in Swedish elections.
King Carl Gustaf holds the highest ranks in the Swedish Armed Forces. He was promoted to general and admiral when he became King. Even though a new law in 1975 changed his role, he kept these honorary ranks. He no longer has military command authority.
The King is well-known for presenting the Nobel Prizes each year. He also presents the Polar Music Prize. He has received honorary degrees from several universities in Sweden and Finland.
The King has sometimes made statements that were seen as political. For example, he spoke about the Russian Invasion of Ukraine in March 2022. He said Europe was in a difficult situation and accused Russia of breaking international law.
In 2023, the King celebrated his Golden Jubilee, marking 50 years on the throne. Celebrations included tours across Sweden and a banquet at the Royal Palace. Public support for the monarchy remains strong, partly due to the popularity of Crown Princess Victoria.
Carl Gustaf's reign saw Sweden join NATO on 18 March 2024. This ended over 200 years of Sweden being neutral. The King gave a speech calling this a new era for Sweden's security. He also spoke about Sweden's security situation at a conference in 2025. He said Sweden could no longer consider itself at peace, even if it wasn't at war.
Personal Interests
The King cares deeply about the environment, technology, and agriculture. Like many in the Swedish royal family, he loves cars. He owns several Porsche 911s, a vintage Volvo PV444, and a Ferrari 456M GT. He and Queen Silvia often attend the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.
In 2016, the King shared his opinion on a proposed Nobel Center in Stockholm. He thought the building was "too big and in the wrong place." The plans were later changed. In December 2020, the King said Sweden's approach to dealing with COVID-19 had failed.
Scouting
The King is the honorary chairman of the World Scout Foundation. He often takes part in Scout activities in Sweden and other countries. He regularly visits World Scout Jamborees, which are large international gatherings of Scouts. He attended Jamborees in Thailand, England, and the United States. In 1982, he received the Bronze Wolf, a special award for his great service to world Scouting.
Royal Family Decisions
As head of the House of Bernadotte, King Carl Gustaf has made decisions about his family's titles.
- In 1974, his sister Christina married a non-royal. She was no longer a Royal Highness and was called Princess Christina, Mrs. Magnuson.
- In 1976, he married Silvia Sommerlath, who became Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden.
- In 1976, his uncle Bertil married. His wife became a Royal Highness Princess of Sweden and Duchess of Halland.
- In 1977, his daughter Victoria was born. In 1980, she became Duchess of Västergötland.
- In 1979, his son Carl Philip was born and became Duke of Värmland.
- In 1982, his daughter Madeleine was born. She became Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland.
- In 2010, his daughter Victoria married. Her husband became a Royal Highness Prince of Sweden and Duke of Västergötland.
- In 2012, his granddaughter Estelle was born and became Duchess of Östergötland.
- In 2013, his daughter Madeleine married. Her husband, Christopher O'Neill, chose not to become a Swedish citizen or prince.
- In 2019, Carl Gustaf decided that five of his grandchildren would no longer have Royal Highness status. This was to make the royal family smaller and more focused on the head of state. They are still princes/princesses and dukes/duchesses, and they can still inherit the throne.
Marriage and Family
The King married Silvia Sommerlath, who has German and Brazilian heritage. They met at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, where she worked as an interpreter. Their wedding was on 19 June 1976, at Stockholm Cathedral. The night before, the Swedish music group ABBA performed "Dancing Queen" as a tribute to the future Queen.
In 1980, the King and his family moved to Drottningholm Palace outside Stockholm. Their offices are still at the Royal Palace in Stockholm.
King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia have three children and eight grandchildren:
- Crown Princess Victoria, Duchess of Västergötland (born 1977) is married to Daniel Westling. They have two children.
- Prince Carl Philip, Duke of Värmland (born 1979) is married to Sofia Hellqvist. They have three children.
- Princess Madeleine, Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland (born 1982) is married to Christopher O'Neill. They have three children.
When Prince Carl Philip was born, he was the next in line to the throne. However, a new law in 1980 changed this. His older sister, Victoria, became the Crown Princess. This law means the oldest child, whether a boy or a girl, will inherit the throne. King Carl Gustaf did not like that his son lost his position.
Health
In February 2023, Carl Gustaf had heart surgery using a special technique called catheter technology.
Titles and Symbols
Carl XVI Gustaf chose the simpler title "King of Sweden" (Sveriges Konung). Before him, kings used a longer title that included "King of the Goths and the Wends".
Royal Arms
When he became Duke of Jämtland, Carl XVI Gustaf received a special coat of arms. Since becoming King, he uses the greater coat of arms of Sweden.
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Arms of Carl Gustaf as Duke of Jämtland from 1950 to his accession |
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Arms of Carl XVI Gustaf used since his accession to the throne. |
Images for kids
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The King's signature
See also
In Spanish: Carlos XVI Gustavo de Suecia para niños
