Carl XVI Gustaf

Reign	September 15, 1973 - Present
Coronation	No coronation ceremony
Accession	September 19, 1973
Royal motto	"För Sverige i tiden" ("For Sweden - With the times")
Queen	Silvia Sommerlath
Royal House	Bernadotte
Predecessor	Gustav VI Adolf of Sweden
Heir Apparent	Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden
Date of Birth	April 30, 1946
Place of Birth	Haga Palace, Stockholm

His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf (Carl Gustaf Folke Hubertus), styled HM The King (born April 30, 1946), King of Sweden, is the son of Prince Gustaf Adolf (1906-1947) and Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (1908-1972), and the grandson of King Gustav VI Adolf. He was created Duke of Jemtia at birth and acceded to the throne as Swedish monarch on September 19, 1973.

King Carl XVI Gustaf married Silvia Sommerlath on June 19, 1976. She became Queen of Sweden on the same day. They have three children together: Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Madeleine. The King and Queen reside at Drottningholm Palace outside Stockholm, and use the Royal Palace of Stockholm as their workplace.

After graduating from high school, Carl Gustaf completed two and a half years of education in the Army, Navy and Air Force. He completed his exam as Officer of the Deck in 1968. He has also completed academic studies in history, sociology, political science, financial rights and economics at the universities of Uppsala and Stockholm.

To prepare for his role as head of state, Carl Gustaf followed a broad programme of studies on the court system, social organisations and institutions, trade unions, and employers' associations. In addition, he closely studied the affairs of the Parliament, Government, and Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Carl Gustaf also spent time at the Swedish Mission to the United Nations and the Swedish International Development Agency, worked at a bank in London, the Swedish Embassy, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in France, and at the Alfa Laval company factory in France.

The King's duties are, according to the constitution, of a representative and ceremonial nature. He pays State Visits abroad and receives those to Sweden, opens the Annual Session of the Parliament, Chairs the Special Council held during a change of Government, holds regular Information Councils with Ministers, Chairs the meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council, and receives and signs credentials of foreign ambassadors to Sweden - and signs those of Sweden to other countries. The King holds the highest ranks in the three branches of the Swedish Armed Forces.

The King is very passionate about the environment, technology, agricultre, trade, and industry. On his initiative, an international symposium on the environment is held regularly. He is the protector of the Swedish Royal Academies, and takes active part in the proceedings of a few of them.

The King has been an eager scout for many years, which fits well with his interest in nature and the outdoor life. He is the Honorary Chairman of the World Scout Foundation , and often participates in scout activities both in Sweden and abroad.

Worldwide, Carl XVI Gustaf is probably best known as the presenter of the Nobel Prizes each year. He also hands over the Polar Music Prize.

His namesday on January 28 and his birthday on April 30 are official flag days.

Children

1. HRH Crown Princess Victoria, Duchess of Westrogothia (1977- )
2. HRH Prince Carl Philip, Duke of Wermelandia (1979-)
3. HRH Princess Madeleine, Duchess of Helsingia and Gestricia (1982-)

Prince Carl Philip was born heir apparent in 1979, however enacted constitutional reform awaiting promulgation created his older sister, Victoria, heir on January 1, 1980, according to the principles of full cognatic primogeniture.

See also

• List of national leaders
• Bernadotte
• Swedish Royal Family

External link

• Royal Court of Sweden - Official site