Oscar II of Sweden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oscar II |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
|||||
| King of Sweden | |||||
| Reign | 18 September 1872 – 8 December 1907 | ||||
| Coronation | 12 May 1873 | ||||
| Predecessor | Charles XV | ||||
| Successor | Gustaf V | ||||
| King of Norway | |||||
| Reign | 18 September 1872 – 7 June 1905 | ||||
| Coronation | 18 July 1873 | ||||
| Predecessor | Charles IV | ||||
| Successor | Haakon VII | ||||
| Born | 21 January 1829 Stockholm Palace, Stockholm |
||||
| Died | 8 December 1907 (aged 78) Stockholm Palace, Stockholm |
||||
| Burial | Riddarholmskyrkan, Stockholm | ||||
| Spouse | Sofia of Nassau | ||||
| Issue | Gustaf V of Sweden Prince Oscar, Duke of Gotland Prince Carl, Duke of Västergötland Prince Eugén, Duke of Närke |
||||
|
|||||
| House | House of Bernadotte | ||||
| Father | Oscar I of Sweden | ||||
| Mother | Josephine of Leuchtenberg | ||||
| Religion | Lutheranism | ||||
Oscar II was a king who ruled both Sweden and Norway. He was born on January 21, 1829, and became King of Sweden in 1872, ruling until he passed away in 1907. He was also King of Norway from 1872 until 1905. His full name was Oscar Fredrik. He was the third son of King Oscar I and Queen Josephine of Leuchtenberg.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Oscar Fredrik was born in Stockholm on January 21, 1829. When he was born, he was given the title of Duke of Östergötland.
He joined the navy when he was eleven years old. By July 1845, he was a junior lieutenant. Later, he went to Uppsala University. There, he was very good at mathematics. In 1848, he became an honorary member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
After his father died in 1859, Oscar became next in line for the Swedish throne. This was because his older brother, King Charles, had no sons. Charles's only son had died as a baby in 1854. Oscar's middle brother, Gustaf, had also passed away in 1852.
King of Sweden and Norway
Oscar became king on September 18, 1872, after his brother Charles XV died. He was crowned King of Norway in the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim on July 18, 1873.
When he became king, he chose a special motto: Brödrafolkens väl in Swedish and Broderfolkenes Vel in Norwegian. Both mean "The Welfare of the Brother Peoples." This showed his hope for good relations between Sweden and Norway.
Even though the King and the royal family mostly lived in Sweden, Oscar worked hard to learn to speak Norwegian fluently. He understood from the beginning that keeping the two countries united would be challenging.
Later Years and the Union's End
Oscar II played an important role in the peaceful end of the union between Norway and Sweden in 1905. His patience and careful actions helped prevent conflict.
On June 7, 1905, the Norwegian Parliament decided to remove him as King of Norway. He officially gave up the Norwegian throne on October 26, 1905.
Family Life
On June 6, 1857, Oscar married Princess Sophia Wilhelmina. They were married in Wiesbaden-Biebrich, Germany. Sophia was the youngest daughter of Duke William of Nassau.
Death
Oscar II's health got worse. He passed away in Stockholm on December 8, 1907. Before he died, relations between Sweden and Norway had improved.
Images for kids
-
Aides Daniel Nordlander (upper left) and Fritz von Dardel, Ordnance Officer Ferdinand-Alphonse Hamelin, General Henri-Pierre Castelnau, King Charles XV of Sweden and Prince Oscar, future King Oscar II of Sweden, at the 1867 International Exposition in Paris, France.
-
Photograph of Oscar II, around the 1870s
-
Photograph of Oscar II by Gösta Florman, around 1891
-
Oscar II boating. Engraving by Anders Zorn.
-
Portrait of Oscar II wearing the Crown of Eric XIV and mantle, by Oscar Björck. King Oscar II was the last crowned Swedish king and was known to enjoy the pomp and ceremony.
.jpg)
.png)
See also
In Spanish: Óscar II de Suecia para niños
