View source for Monarchy of Sweden

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{{About|the Swedish monarchy as an institution|a list of kings and queens regnant of Sweden|List of Swedish monarchs|a list of Swedish princes and princesses|Swedish royal family}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox monarchy
| royal_title        = His Majesty the King
| realm              = Sweden
| native_name        = {{lang|sv|Sveriges Konung}}
| coatofarms         = Great coat of arms of Sweden.svg
| coatofarms_article = Greater coat of arms of Sweden
| image              = Crafoord Prize D81 9141 (42282165922) (cropped).jpg
| incumbent          = [[Carl XVI Gustaf]]
| incumbentsince     = 15 September 1973
| his/her            = His
| heir_apparent      = [[Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden|Crown Princess Victoria]]
| first_monarch      = [[Eric the Victorious]]
| date               = 
| website            = {{URL|https://www.kungahuset.se/}}
|formation={{start date and age|df=y|970}}|residences=''[[List of Swedish royal residences#List of residences|See list]]''}}

The '''monarchy of Sweden''' is centred on the monarchical [[head of state]] of [[Sweden]],<ref name="IOG1:5">See the [[#IOG|Instrument of Government, Chapter 1, Article 5]].</ref> by law a [[constitutional monarchy|constitutional]] and [[hereditary monarchy]] with a [[parliamentary system]].<ref name="IOG1:1">Parliamentary system: see the [[#IOG|Instrument of Government, Chapter 1, Article 1]].</ref> There have been kings in what now is the [[Sweden|Kingdom of Sweden]] for more than a millennium. Originally an [[elective monarchy]], it became a [[hereditary monarchy]] in the 16th century during the reign of [[Gustav Vasa]],<ref name="Monarchy in Sweden">{{cite web|url=http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/monarchy/themonarchyinsweden.4.396160511584257f2180005799.html|title=The Monarchy in Sweden|publisher=[[Royal Court of Sweden]]|access-date=2014-02-22|archive-date=22 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322121946/http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/monarchy/themonarchyinsweden.4.396160511584257f2180005799.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> though virtually all monarchs before that belonged to a limited and small number of political families which are considered to be the royal dynasties of Sweden.

The official continuous count usually begins with the kings who ruled both [[Svealand]] and [[Götaland]] as one kingdom.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McOmish|first=Rebecca Thandi Norman, Freya|date=2023-01-05|title=The Swedish Royal Family: Everything You Need to Know|url=https://www.scandinaviastandard.com/the-swedish-royal-family-everything-you-need-to-know/|access-date=2023-10-24|website=Scandinavia Standard|archive-date=31 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031213816/https://www.scandinaviastandard.com/the-swedish-royal-family-everything-you-need-to-know/|url-status=live}}</ref> Sweden's monarchy is amongst the oldest in the world, with a regnal list stretching back to the tenth century, starting with [[Eric the Victorious]]; the Swedish monarchy has, for the past thousand years, undergone cycles of decline and strengthening, culminating in the modern constitutional monarchy.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Eaton|first=Victor|date=2017-11-13|title=8 Oldest Monarchies in The World|url=https://www.oldest.org/politics/monarchy/|access-date=2023-10-24|website=Oldest.org|archive-date=23 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023202438/https://www.oldest.org/politics/monarchy/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Swedish monarchy has been one of the key features in the development of Swedish culture, having for centuries patronized the arts and sciences. Several of Sweden's most prestigious academies and cultural institutions are under Swedish royal protection. This historical role politically, militarily and culturally, in spite of the country's otherwise liberal leanings, has resulted in the Swedish monarchy being popular.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Times|first=The Brussels|title=What do Europeans think about their monarchies?|url=https://www.brusselstimes.com/492442/what-do-europeans-think-about-their-monarchies|access-date=2023-10-24|website=brusselstimes.com|archive-date=31 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031213816/https://www.brusselstimes.com/492442/what-do-europeans-think-about-their-monarchies|url-status=live}}</ref> In recent years, however, some of the most serious criticism ever published has taken place about the way his monarchy has developed under the current king's fifty-year reign.<ref>[https://www.svtplay.se/video/ebmEDGY/uppdrag-granskning/kungens-bostader ''Uppdrag granskning - kungens bostäder''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922042225/https://www.svtplay.se/video/ebmEDGY/uppdrag-granskning/kungens-bostader |date=22 September 2023 }} [[Sveriges Television|SVT]] 2023-05-16</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">Thomas Lyrevik in ''Den kungliga kleptokratin makt, manipulation, berikning'' 670 p. {{ISBN|9789188383419}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceB">Ulf Bergström, Staffan Nyberg & Tony Karlsson in ''Monarkins verkliga kostnader 2020'' 80 p. [[LIBRIS]] #fsqjvf15c1qs0flz</ref><ref>[http://libris.kb.se/bib/wdkf054nttmr3ccj Book] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213125848/http://libris.kb.se/bib/wdkf054nttmr3ccj |date=13 December 2023 }} ''Chefen'' by [[Thomas Sjöberg (journalist)|Thomas Sjöberg]] 2023</ref>

Sweden in the present day is a [[representative democracy]] in a [[parliamentary system]] based on [[popular sovereignty]], as defined in the current [[Basic Laws of Sweden#Instrument of Government|Instrument of Government]] (one of the four [[Basic Laws of Sweden|Basic Laws of the Realm]] which makes up the written constitution<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.riksdagen.se/en/How-the-Riksdag-works/Democracy/The-Constitution/|title=The Constitution|publisher=The [[Riksdag]]|access-date=2014-02-22|archive-date=10 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110215202/http://www.riksdagen.se/en/How-the-Riksdag-works/Democracy/The-Constitution/|url-status=live}}</ref>). The monarch and the members of the [[Swedish royal family|royal family]] undertake a variety of official, unofficial and other representational duties within Sweden and abroad.<ref name="Monarchy in Sweden"/> The current king of Sweden is [[Carl XVI Gustaf]], while his heir is [[Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden|Crown Princess Victoria]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2023-09-18|title=The Swedish monarchy|url=https://sweden.se/life/people/the-swedish-monarchy|access-date=2023-10-24|website=sweden.se|archive-date=3 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003114523/https://sweden.se/life/people/the-swedish-monarchy|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Swedish monarch has numerous residences, primarily state-owned but some privately owned; their official residence and workplace is [[Stockholm Palace]], while [[Drottningholm Palace]] serves as the monarchy's private residence. Other notable residences include [[Gripsholm Castle]] and [[Ulriksdal Palace]], as well as others throughout Sweden.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Royal palaces and residences|url=https://www.kungahuset.se/english/royal-palaces-and-residences|access-date=2023-10-24|website=kungahuset.se|archive-date=23 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023032650/https://www.kungahuset.se/english/royal-palaces-and-residences|url-status=live}}</ref> Several large palaces and a considerable section of the Swedish capital of [[Stockholm]] have been at the [[Royal Right of Disposal (Sweden)|disposal of the monarch]] since 1809.

== History ==
{{History of Sweden}}
{{Main|History of Sweden}}

=== Pre-16th century ===
[[File:Konungr.jpg|thumb|left|'''{{lang|non|kunuki}}''', i.e. {{lang|non|konungi}}, the [[dative case]] for [[Old Norse]] {{lang|non|konungr}} ("king"). A [[rune|runic]] inscription of the 11th century ([[Uppland Runic Inscription 11|U11]]) refers to King [[Håkan the Red]].]]

Scandinavian peoples have had kings since prehistoric times. As early as the 1st century CE, [[Tacitus]] wrote that the [[Suiones]] had a king, but the order of Swedish regnal succession up until King [[Eric the Victorious]] (died 995), is known almost exclusively through accounts in historically controversial [[Norse saga]]s (see [[Mythical kings of Sweden]] and [[Semi-legendary kings of Sweden]]).

Originally, the Swedish king had combined powers limited to that of a war chief, a judge and a priest at the [[Temple at Uppsala]] (see [[Germanic king]]). However, there are thousands of [[runestone]]s commemorating commoners, but no known chronicle{{clarify|people didn't do that much writing back then|date=October 2014}} about the Swedish kings prior to the 14th century (though a list of kings was added in the [[Västgöta Law]]), and there is a relatively small number of runestones that are thought to mention kings: Gs 11 ([[Emund the Old]] – reigned 1050–1060), [[Uppland Runic Inscription 11|U 11]] ([[Håkan the Red]] – late 11th century) and [[Norsta Runestone|U 861]] ([[Blot-Sweyn]] – reigned {{circa}} 1080).

About 1000 A.D., the first king known to rule both [[Svealand]] and [[Götaland]] was [[Olof Skötkonung]], but further history for the next two centuries is obscure, with many kings whose tenures and actual influence/power remains unclear. The Royal Court of Sweden, however, does count Olof's father, Eric the Victorious, as Sweden's first king. The power of the king was greatly strengthened{{why|date=December 2017}} by the introduction of Christianity during the 11th century, and the following centuries saw a process of consolidation of power into the hands of the king. The Swedes traditionally elected a king from a favored dynasty at the [[Stones of Mora]], and the people had the right to elect the king as well as to depose him. The ceremonial stones were destroyed around 1515.{{citation needed|date=October 2014}}

In the 12th century, the consolidation of Sweden was still affected by dynastic struggles between the [[House of Erik|Erik]] and [[House of Sverker|Sverker]] clans, which ended when a third clan married into the Erik clan and the [[House of Bjälbo]] was established on the throne. That dynasty formed pre-[[Kalmar Union]] Sweden into a strong state, and finally King [[Magnus Eriksson]] (reigned 1319–1364) even ruled [[Norway]] (1319–1343) and [[Scania]] (1332–1360). Following the [[Black Death]],{{clarify|how it is relevant?|date=October 2014}} the union weakened, and Scania was captured by Denmark.

In 1397, after the Black Death and domestic power struggles, Queen [[Margaret I of Denmark]] united Sweden (then including [[Finland]]), Denmark and Norway (then including [[Iceland]]) in the [[Kalmar Union|Union of Kalmar]] with the approval of the [[Swedish nobility]]. Continual tension within each country and the union led to open conflict between the Swedes and the Danes in the 15th century. The union's final disintegration in the early 16th century led to prolonged rivalry between Denmark-Norway and Sweden (with Finland) for centuries to come.

=== 16th- and 17th-century changes ===
{{Chart top|collapsed=yes|House of Vasa}}
{{Familytree/start |style=font-size:89%; |align=center}}
{{Tree chart|border=1| | | |  | | | | | | | | |A01  | | | | | 
A01=[[File:COA sv Kettil Karlsson (Vasa).png|75px]]|boxstyle_A01=border-width:0px
}}
{{Familytree | | | | | | | | | | | | | NIL | | | | | | | NIL = {{ill|Nils Kettilsson(Vasa)(sv)|sv|Nils Kettilsson (Vasa)|vertical-align=sup}}<br /><small>(† 1378)</small>}}
{{Familytree | | | | | | | | |,|-|-|-|-|^|-|-|-|-|.| | |}}
{{Familytree | | | | | | | | KRI | | | | | | | | RAM | | KRI = {{ill|Krister Nilsson (Vasa)(sv)|sv|Krister Nilsson (Vasa)|vertical-align=sup}}<br /><small>(† 1442)</small> | RAM = Ramborg Nilsdotter<br /><small>(m. {{ill|Tord Bonde (Röriksson)(sv)|sv|Tord Bonde (Röriksson)|vertical-align=sup}})[[Bonde family]]</small>}}
{{Familytree | | |,|-|-|-|-|-|+|-|-|v|-|-|-|.| | | |! | |}}
{{Familytree | | KAR | | | JOH | |NIL | |KRI | |KNU | | 
KAR = {{ill|Karl Kristiernsson(Vasa)|sv|Karl Kristiernsson (Vasa)|vertical-align=sup}}<br /><small>(† 1440)</small> | 
JOH = {{ill|Johan Kristiernsson(Vasa)|sv|Johan Kristiernsson (Vasa)|vertical-align=sup}}<br /><small>(† 1477)</small> | 
NIL={{ill|Nils Kristiernsson (Vasa)|sv|vertical-align=sup}}<br/><small>(† 1464)</small> | 
KRI = Kristina Kristiernsdotter<br /><small>(ép. [[Bengt Jönsson Oxenstierna|Bengt Jönsson(Oxenstierna)]])</small> | 
KNU = Knut Tordsson<br /><small>(† 1413)</small>
}}
{{Familytree | | |!| | | | | |!| | | | | | | | | | |!| |}}
{{Familytree | | KET | | | | ERI | | | | | | | | |CH8 | KET = [[Kettil Karlsson Vasa|Kettil Karlsson]]<br /><small>(v. 1433–1465)<br/> bishop of Linköping from 1459 to 1465 and Swedish regent in 1465.</small> | ERI = [[Erik Johansson Vasa]]<br /><small>(v. 1470–1520)</small> | CH8 ='''[[Charles VIII of Sweden|Charles VIII Bonde]]'''<br/>(1409–1470)<br/>{{R.|1448|1457|1464|1465|1467|1470}}
   |boxstyle_CH8=border-color:#C00; border-width:2px}}
{{Familytree | | | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | | | |}}
{{Familytree | | | | | | | |GU1 | | | | | | | | |A01 |GU1='''[[Gustav I of Sweden|Gustav I Eriksson Vasa]]'''<br/>(1496–1560)<br/>Regent 1521–1523<br/>{{R.|1523|1560}}|boxstyle_GU1=border-color:#F00; border-width:2px|A01=[[File:Blason de Charles VIII de Suède et de Norvège (1408-1470).svg|75px]]|boxstyle_A01=border-width:0px
}}
{{Familytree | | | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | | | |}}
{{Familytree | | | | | | | |A01| | | | | | | | | | |
A01=[[File:Arms of the House of Vasa.svg|75px]]|boxstyle_A01=border-width:0px
}}
{{Familytree | | |,|-|-|-|v|-|^|-|-|-|-|-|v|- |- |- |- |. | |}}
{{Familytree | |E14 | |JN3 | | | | | |CH9 | | |MAG | E14 = '''[[Eric XIV of Sweden|Eric XIV]]'''<br/>(1533–1577)<br/>{{R.|1560|1568}}
   |boxstyle_E14=border-color:#C00; border-width:2px
| JN3 = '''[[John III of Sweden|John III]]'''<br/>(1537–1592)<br/>{{R.|1569|1592}}
   |boxstyle_JN3=border-color:#C00; border-width:2px
| CH9 = '''[[Charles IX of Sweden|Charles IX]]'''<br/>(1550–1611)<br/>Regent 1599–1604<br/>{{R.|1604|1611}}|boxstyle_CH9=border-color:#C00; border-width:2px
|MAG='''[[Magnus Vasa|Magnus]]'''<br/>(1542–1595)<br/>[[Duke]] of [[Östergötland]]
}}
{{Familytree | | |F |~ |~ |J |!| | | | | |,|-|^|-|v|~ |~ |~ |7 |}}
{{Familytree | |GYL | |SI3 | | | | CAT | |GU2 | |CGYL || SI3 = '''[[Sigismund III Vasa]]'''<br/>(1566–1632)<br/>{{R.|1592|1599}}
   |boxstyle_SI3=border-color:#C00; border-width:2px
| CAT = [[Catherine Vasa|Catherine]]<br /><small>(1584–1638)</small> 
| GU2 = '''[[Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden|Gustav II Adolph]]'''<br/>(1594–1632)<br/>{{R.|1611|1632}}
   |boxstyle_GU2=border-color:#C00; border-width:2px
|GYL='''{{ill|Julius Gyllenhielm|sv|vertical-align=sup}}  {{interlanguage link|Gyllenhielm|sv}}'''<br/>(1560–1581)
|CGYL='''[[Carl Gyllenhielm]]  {{interlanguage link|Gyllenhielm|sv}}'''<br/>(1574–1650)<br/>[[List of Swedish field marshals|Swedish Field Marshal]]
}}
{{Familytree | | | | |,|-|^|-|.| | | |!| | | |!|L |~ |~ |7|}}
{{Familytree | | | | LA4 | | J2C | |C10 | |CHR | |CCV| LA4 = '''[[Władysław IV Vasa]]'''<br/>{{small|(1595–1648)<br/>[[List of Polish monarchs|King of Poland, GD of Lithuania]]<br/>{{R.|1632|1648}}}}
| J2C = '''[[John II Casimir Vasa]]'''<br/>{{small|(1609–1672)<br/>[[List of Polish monarchs|King of Poland, GD of Lithuania]]<br/>{{R.|1648|1668 (abdicated)}}}}
| C10='''[[Charles X Gustav of Sweden|Charles X Gustav]]'''<br/>(1622–1660)<br/>{{R.|1654|1660}}
   |boxstyle_C10=border-color:#C00; border-width:2px
| CHR = '''[[Christina, Queen of Sweden|Christina]]'''<br/>(1626–1689)<br/>{{R.|1632|1654}}
   |boxstyle_CHR=border-color:#C00; border-width:2px
|CCV='''[[Gustav of Vasaborg|Gustaf Gusstafsson]] ({{ill|Gustaf Gustafsson af Vasaborg|sv}})'''<br/>(1616–1653)<br/>[[Vasaborg|af Vasaborg]],1637 ({{ill|Vasaborg (ätt)|sv}}), Count of Nystad, 1647
}}
{{Familytree/end}}
{{chart bottom}}

[[File:Gustav Vasa.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Gustav I of Sweden|Gustav I]], portrayed here in 1542 by [[Jakob Binck]], legally created the hereditary monarchy and organized the Swedish [[unitary state]].]]

Catholic bishops had supported the [[Monarchy of Denmark|King of Denmark]], [[Christian II of Denmark|Christian II]], but he was [[Swedish War of Liberation|overthrown in a rebellion]] led by nobleman [[Gustav I of Sweden|Gustav Vasa]], whose father had been executed at the [[Stockholm bloodbath]]. Gustav Vasa (hereinafter referred to as Gustav I) was elected King of Sweden by the [[estates of the realm]], assembled in [[Strängnäs]] on 6 June 1523.

Inspired by the teachings of [[Martin Luther]], Gustav I used the Protestant [[Reformation]] to curb the power of the Roman [[Catholic Church]]. In 1527 he persuaded the [[estates of the realm]], assembled in the city of [[Västerås]], to confiscate church lands, which comprised 21% of the country's farmland. At the same time, he broke with the [[Pope|papacy]] and established a reformed [[state church]]: the [[Church of Sweden]].{{#tag:ref|A complete Lutheran church ordinance was not presented until the [[Swedish Church Ordinance 1571]], with a [[statement of faith]] finalized by the [[Uppsala Synod]] in 1593.|group=n|name=n2}} Throughout his reign, Gustav I suppressed both aristocratic and [[Dacke War|peasant opposition]] to his ecclesiastical policies and efforts at centralisation, which to some extent laid the foundation for the modern Swedish [[unitary state]]. Legally Sweden has only been a [[hereditary monarchy]] since 1544 when the [[Riksdag of the Estates]], through ''Västerås arvförening'', designated the sons of King Gustav I as the heirs to the Throne.{{#tag:ref|The powers of the king were originally regulated by a section of the written legal code called ''Konungabalk'' (''Kings' partition'') from medieval times until 1734, when [[Civil Code of 1734|a new law code]] of Sweden was adopted and that section was removed. The new law code of Sweden was adopted after a long period of inquiries by [[royal commission]]s since the days of [[Charles IX of Sweden|Charles IX]] (late 16th/early 17th century)|group=n|name=n3}}

Tax reforms took place in 1538 and 1558, whereby multiple complex taxes on independent farmers were simplified and standardised throughout the district{{clarify|what district?|date=October 2014}} and tax assessments per farm were adjusted to reflect ability to pay. Crown tax revenues increased, but more importantly the new system was perceived as fairer. A war with [[Lübeck]] in 1535 resulted in the expulsion of the [[Hanseatic League|Hanseatic traders]], who previously had had a monopoly on foreign trade. With its own burghers in charge, Sweden's economic strength grew rapidly, and by 1544 Gustav controlled 60% of the farmlands in all of Sweden. Sweden now built the first modern army in Europe, supported by a sophisticated tax system and an efficient bureaucracy.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Glete|first=Jan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hI5agv3IDGIC&q=questia+Glete,+War+and+the+State|title=War and the State in Early Modern Europe: Spain, the Dutch Republic and Sweden as Fiscal-military States, 1500–1660|date=2002|publisher=Psychology Press|isbn=978-0-415-22644-8}}</ref>

At the death of King Gustav I in 1560, he was succeeded by his oldest son [[Eric XIV of Sweden|Eric XIV]]. His reign was marked by Sweden's entrance into the [[Livonian War]] and the [[Northern Seven Years' War]]. The combination of Eric's developing [[mental disorder]] and his opposition to the aristocracy led to the [[Sture Murders]] in 1567 and the imprisonment of his brother [[John III of Sweden|John (III)]], who was married to [[Catherine Jagiellon]], sister of King [[Sigismund II of Poland]].<ref>Article "Johan III", from [[Nordisk familjebok]]</ref> In 1568 Eric was dethroned and succeeded by John III. In domestic politics John III showed clear [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] sympathies, inspired by his queen, creating friction with the Swedish clergy and nobility. He reintroduced several Catholic traditions previously abolished, and his foreign policy was affected by his family connection to the [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]], where his eldest son had been made King [[Sigismund III Vasa|Sigismund III]] in 1587.{{#tag:ref|No [[regnal number]]{{snd}}just ''Sigismund''{{snd}}is used when referring to [[Sigismund III Vasa]] as King of Sweden.|group="n"|name="n20"}} Following the death of his father, Sigismund tried to [[Polish–Swedish union|rule Sweden from Poland]], leaving Sweden under the control of a [[regent]] – his paternal uncle (Gustav I's youngest son) [[Charles IX of Sweden|Charles (IX)]] – but was unable to defend his Swedish throne against the ambitions of his uncle. In 1598 Sigismund and his Swedish-Polish army were defeated at the [[Battle of Stångebro]] by the forces of Charles, and he was declared deposed by the [[Riksdag of the Estates|Estates]] in 1599.

[[File:Gustavus Adolphus at the Battle at Breitenfeld.jpg|thumb|upright|''The Lion of the North'': King [[Gustavus Adolphus]] depicted at the turning point of the [[Battle of Breitenfeld (1631)]] against the forces of [[Johann Tserclaes, Count of Tilly]]]]

In 1604, the Estates finally recognized the regent and de facto ruler as King Charles IX. His short reign was one of uninterrupted warfare. The hostility of Poland and the breakup of Russia involved him in overseas contests for the possession of [[Duchy of Livonia (1629–1721)|Livonia]] and [[Duchy of Ingria|Ingria]], the [[Polish–Swedish War (1600–1611)]] and the [[Ingrian War]], while his pretensions to claim [[Laponia (historical province)|Lapland]] brought on a war with [[Denmark]] ([[Kalmar War]]) in the last year of his reign.{{#tag:ref|The war against Denmark was concluded in 1613 with a peace treaty, which did not cost Sweden any territory, but Sweden was nevertheless forced to pay a heavy indemnity to Denmark ([[Treaty of Knäred]]) in order to regain control of [[Älvsborg Fortress]].|group=n|name=n1}}

[[Gustavus Adolphus]] inherited three wars from his father when he ascended to the throne. From 1612, when Count [[Axel Oxenstierna]] was appointed [[Lord High Chancellor of Sweden|Lord High Chancellor]], which he remained until Gustavus Adolphus's death, the two men struck a long and successful partnership and complemented each other well: In Oxenstierna's own words, his "cool" balanced the King's "heat".<ref name="Trettioåriga kriget">{{cite book|last1=Ericson Wolke|first1=Lars|last2=Larsson|first2=Villstrand|title=Trettioåriga kriget|editor=Historiska Media|year=2006|pages=145–148|publisher=Historiska media|isbn=91-85377-37-6|language=sv}}</ref><ref name="Nordisk Familjebok - Axel Gustafsson Oxenstierna">{{cite web|url=https://runeberg.org/nfbt/0622.html|title=Nordisk Familjebok – Axel Gustafsson Oxenstierna|year=1914|work=Nordisk Familjebok at runeberg.org|language=sv|access-date=23 October 2014|archive-date=20 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020093126/https://runeberg.org/nfbt/0622.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The war against Russia (the [[Ingrian War]]) ended in 1617 with the [[Treaty of Stolbovo]], which excluded Russia from the Baltic Sea. The final inherited war, the [[Polish–Swedish War (1600–1629)|war against Poland]], ended in 1629 with the [[Truce of Altmark]], which transferred the large province of [[Swedish Livonia|Livonia]] to Sweden and freed the Swedish forces for subsequent intervention in the [[Thirty Years' War]] in Germany, where Swedish forces had [[Siege of Stralsund (1628)|already established a bridgehead in 1628]]. [[Margraviate of Brandenburg|Brandenburg]] was torn apart by a quarrel between the Protestants and the Catholics. When Gustavus Adolphus [[Treaty of Stettin (1630)|began his push]] into northern Germany in June–July 1630, he had just 4,000 soldiers. But he was soon able to consolidate the [[Protestant]] position in the north, using reinforcements from Sweden and money supplied by France at the [[Treaty of Bärwalde]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Prinz|first=Oliver C.|title=Der Einfluss von Heeresverfassung und Soldatenbild auf die Entwicklung des Militärstrafrechts|volume=7|series=Osnabrücker Schriften zur Rechtsgeschichte|year=2005|publisher=V&R unipress|isbn=3-89971-129-7|location=Osnabrück|language=de|pages=40–41}} Referring to {{cite book|last=Kroener|first=Bernhard R.|chapter=Militärgeschichte des Mittelalters und der frühen Neuzeit bis 1648. Vom Lehnskrieger zum Söldner|editor-last=Neugebauer|editor-first=Karl-Volker|title=Grundzüge der deutschen Militärgeschichte|volume=1|location=Freiburg|year=1993|publisher=Rombach|language=de|page=32}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|Meanwhile, a [[Catholic League (German)|Catholic army]] under Tilly was laying waste to [[Saxony]]. Gustavus Adolphus met Tilly's army and crushed it at the [[Battle of Breitenfeld (1631)|First Battle of Breitenfeld]] in September 1631. He then marched clear across Germany, establishing his winter quarters near the [[Rhine]], making plans for the invasion of the rest of the [[Holy Roman Empire]]. In March 1632, Gustavus Adolphus invaded [[Bavaria]], a staunch ally of the [[Holy Roman Emperor|Emperor]]. He forced the withdrawal of his Catholic opponents at the [[Battle of Rain]]. In the summer of that year, he sought a political solution that would preserve the existing structure of states in Germany, while guaranteeing the security of its Protestants. But achieving these objectives depended on his continued success on the battlefield.|group="n"|name="n17"}} Gustavus Adolphus was killed at the [[Battle of Lützen (1632)|1632 Battle of Lützen]]. Queen [[Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg|Maria Eleonora]] and the [[Privy Council of Sweden|king's ministers]] took over the government of the Realm on behalf of Gustavus Adolphus' underage daughter [[Christina I of Sweden|Christina]], until she reached the [[age of majority]]. Gustavus Adolphus is often regarded by military historians as one of the greatest military commanders of all time, with innovative use of [[combined arms]]. {{#tag:ref|In Chapter V of [[Carl von Clausewitz]]' ''[[On War]]'', he lists Gustavus Adolphus as an example of an outstanding military leader, along with: [[Alexander the Great]], [[Julius Caesar]], [[Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma|Alexander Farnese]], [[Charles XII]], [[Frederick the Great]] and [[Napoleon]] Bonaparte. |group=n|name=n8}}

[[Christina, Queen of Sweden|Christina]] succeeded her father aged six. A regency government ruled in her name until she turned 18 years of age. During the regency, Chancellor Axel Oxenstierna wrote the [[1634 Instrument of Government]], which although never approved by any monarch, continued to have an important normative role in the state administration. Christina early on showed an interest in literature and the sciences and famously brought [[René Descartes]] to Sweden. Sweden continued to be involved in the Thirty Years' War during reign of Christina and that conflict was settled at the 1648 [[Peace of Westphalia]], and the Swedish monarch received representation at the [[Imperial Diet (Holy Roman Empire)|Imperial Diet]] due to the German conquests ([[Bremen-Verden]] and [[Swedish Pomerania]]) that were made.{{#tag:ref|Although the local conflict with Denmark-Norway, as part of the Thirty Years' War was settled at the Second Treaty of Brömsebro (1645), in which the Danes ceded the Norwegian provinces of [[Jämtland]], [[Härjedalen]] and [[Älvdalen Municipality|Idre & Särna]] as well as the Danish [[Baltic Sea]] islands of [[Gotland]] and [[Saaremaa|Ösel]]. Sweden was furthermore exempted from the [[Sound Dues]] and received the Danish province of [[Halland]] for a period of 30 years as a guarantee of these provisions.|group=n|name=n10}} Having decided not to marry, Christina abdicated the throne on 5 June 1654 in favor of her cousin [[Charles X Gustav]], went abroad, and converted to [[Roman Catholicism]].

{{Chart top|collapsed=yes|[[House of Wittelsbach]] (Palatine-Zweibrucken branch) on the Swedish Throne}}
{{Familytree/start |style=font-size:89%; |align=center}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | | | |!| | | |,|-|-|-|(| | | |`|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|.| 
}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| |A01 | |Sig| |Gu2| |Cat|y|Joc| | | | | | Fr3H-G | 
 |A01=[[File:Sigismund Vasa arms.png|75px]]|boxstyle_A01=border-width:0px
 |Sig='''[[Sigismund III Vasa]]'''<br/>(1566–1632)<br/>{{R.|1592|1599}}
   |boxstyle_Sig=border-color:#C00; border-width:2px
 |Gu2='''[[Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden|Gustav II Adolph]]'''<br/>(1594–1632)<br/>{{R.|1611|1632}}
   |boxstyle_Gu2=border-color:#C00; border-width:2px
 |Cat=[[Catherine of Sweden, Countess Palatine of Kleeburg|Princess Catherine]]<br/>(1584–1638)
 |Joc=[[John Casimir, Count Palatine of Kleeburg]]<br/>1589–1652 |Fr3H-G=[[Frederick III, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp]]<br/>(1597–1659)
}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | |,|-|^|-|.| | |!| | | | |,|^|-|-|-|-|-|.| | | |`|-|-|-|.| 
}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | |LAD | |CAS | |Chr| |C10| |A01 | |Chm|y|Fre| |!| 
 |A01=[[File:Armoiries Suède Palatinat1.svg|75px]]<br/>'''{{Small|{{Color| #00008B |[[House of Palatinate-Zweibrücken|House of Sweden—Palatine-Zweibrücken]]}}}}'''|boxstyle_A01=border-width:0px
 |Chr='''[[Christina, Queen of Sweden|Christina]]'''<br/>(1626–1689)<br/>{{R.|1632|1654}}
   |boxstyle_Chr=border-color:#C00; border-width:2px
 |C10='''[[Charles X Gustav of Sweden|Charles X Gustav]]'''<br/>(1622–1660)<br/>{{R.|1654|1660}}
   |boxstyle_C10=border-color:#C00; border-width:2px
 |Chm=[[Christina Magdalena of the Palatinate-Zweibrücken]]<br/>(1616–1662)
 |Fre=[[Frederick VI, Margrave of Baden-Durlach]]<br/>(1617–1677)
 |LAD = '''[[Władysław IV Vasa]]'''<br/>{{small|(1595–1648)<br/>[[List of Polish monarchs|King of Poland, GD of Lithuania]]<br/>{{R.|1632|1648}}}}
 |CAS = '''[[John II Casimir Vasa]]'''<br/>{{small|(1609–1672)<br/>[[List of Polish monarchs|King of Poland, GD of Lithuania]]<br/>{{R.|1648|1668 (abdicated)}}}} 
}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | |,|-|^|-|.| | | |!| 
}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | | | | | | | | | | |C11| |Jof|y|Joa| |Fmb| |CA-HG|
 |C11='''[[Charles XI of Sweden|Charles XI]]'''<br/>(1655–1697)<br/>{{R.|1660|1697}}
   |boxstyle_C11=border-color:#C00; border-width:2px
 |Fmb=[[Frederick VII, Margrave of Baden-Durlach]]<br/>(1647–1709)
 |Joa=Johanna Elisabeth of Baden-Durlach<br/>(1651–1680)
 |Jof=[[John Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach]]<br/>1654–1686 |CA-HG=[[Christian Albert, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp]]<br/>(1641–1695)
}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | |,|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|(| | | |,|-|'| | | | | |!| | | |!| 
}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| |HED | |Fr1|~|Ule| |C12| |Dor|y|Jor| |Alf|y|Cha
 |HED='''[[Hedvig Sophia of Sweden]]'''<br/>{{Small|'''[[List of Swedish monarchs|hieress of Sweden]]'''<br/>'''eldest sister of [[Charles XII of Sweden]]'''<br/>1681–1708}}|boxstyle_UE=border-width:2px; border-color:#00008B
 |C12='''[[Charles XII of Sweden|Charles XII]]'''<br/>(1682–1718)<br/>{{R.|1697|1718}}
   |boxstyle_C12=border-color:#C00; border-width:2px
 |Ule='''[[Ulrika Eleonora, Queen of Sweden|Ulrika Eleonora]]'''<br/>(1688–1741)<br/>{{R.|1718|1720}}
   |boxstyle_Ule=border-color:#C00; border-width:2px
    |Fr1='''[[Frederick I of Sweden|Frederick I]]'''<br/>(1676–1751)<br/>{{R.|1720|1751}}
   |boxstyle_Fr1=border-color:#C00; border-width:2px
 |Alf=[[Margravine Albertina Frederica of Baden-Durlach]]<br/>(1682–1755)
 |Cha=[[Christian August of Holstein-Gottorp, Prince of Eutin]]<br/>(1673–1726)
 |Dor=[[Dorothea Friederike of Brandenburg-Ansbach]]<br/>(1676–1731)
 |Jor=[[Johann Reinhard III, Count of Hanau-Lichtenberg]]<br/>(1665–1736)
}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | |! | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |,|-|'| | | | | |,|-|'| 
}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| |CFR |y |APET | | | | | |Lou|y|Chl| | | | | |Adf
 |CFR='''[[Charles Frederick, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp|Charles Frederick]]'''<br/>{{Small|'''[[Duke of Holstein-Gottorp|Duke of Schleswig-<br/>Holstein-Gottorp]]'''<br/>'''r. 1702–1739'''<br/>1700–1739}}|boxstyle_A02=border-width:2px; border-color:#00008B
 |APET='''[[Grand Duchess Anna Petrovna of Russia]]'''<br/>{{Small|'''daughter & eventual heiress of [[Peter the Great]]'''<br/>'''r. 1725–1728'''<br/>1708–1728}}
 |Chl=[[Countess Charlotte of Hanau-Lichtenberg]]<br/>(1700–1726)
 |Lou=[[Louis VIII, Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt]]<br/>(1691–1768)
 |Adf='''[[Adolf Frederick, King of Sweden|Adolf Frederick]]'''<br/>(1710–1771)<br/>{{R.|1751|1771}}
   |boxstyle_Adf=border-color:#C00; border-width:2px
}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| |A02 |! | | | | | | | | | |,|-|'| | | | | | | |,|-|'|A01 | 
 |A01=[[File:Blason dynastie Holstein-Gottorp (branche suèdoise).svg|75px]]<br/>'''{{Small|{{Color| #00008B |[[House of Holstein-Gottorp (Swedish line)]]}}}}'''|boxstyle_A01=border-width:0px
 |A02=[[File:Arms of the House Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov.png|50px]]<br/>[[House of Romanov#House of Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov|'''{{Small|{{Color|#006600|House of Holstein-<br/>Gottorp-Romanov}}}}''']]|boxstyle_A02=border-width:0px
}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | |PET3 | | | | | | | |Geo| | | | | | | | |!| 
 |PET3='''[[Peter III of Russia|Peter III]]'''<br/>{{Small|'''[[Emperor of all the Russias|Emperor of Russia]]'''<br/>'''r. 1762–1762'''<br/>1728–1762}}|boxstyle_PET3=border-width:2px; border-color:#FFD700
 |Geo=[[Prince George William of Hesse-Darmstadt]]<br/>(1722–1782)
}}

{{Familytree/end}}
{{chart bottom}}

[[File:Charles XI of Sweden.jpg|left|thumb|upright|[[Charles XI of Sweden|Charles XI]] at the [[Battle of Lund]] in 1676. Painting by [[David Klöcker Ehrenstrahl]].]]
The Estates elected [[Charles X Gustav]] as their new King, and his short reign is best characterized by [[Second Northern War|foreign wars]]: [[Deluge (history)|first a lengthy campaign within Poland]] and then with Denmark. In the latter case, the risky 1658 [[March across the Belts]] which resulted in the [[Treaty of Roskilde]], would prove to be the largest permanent territorial gain Sweden ever had: [[Skåne]], [[Blekinge]] and [[Bohuslän]] now became Swedish provinces and have remained so ever since. Charles X Gustav was not satisfied, as he wanted to crush Denmark once and for all, but the [[Assault on Copenhagen (1659)|1659 Assault on Copenhagen]] did not prove successful for the Swedes, largely due to the Dutch [[Battle of the Sound|naval intervention]] to the aid of the Danes.

Charles X Gustav died in [[Gothenburg]] in 1660 and as the Crown passed to his five-year-old son [[Charles XI of Sweden|Charles XI]], a new regency government would assume the responsibilities of the state. The regency government, composed of aristocrats and led by Chancellor Count [[Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie]], was more interested in feathering their own nests rather than working in the interest of the country at large. When Charles XI came of age in 1672, the effectiveness of the armed forces had seriously deteriorated and the country was ill-prepared as the King of Denmark, [[Christian V of Denmark|Christian V]], [[Scanian War|invaded to settle old scores]]. The Danes were [[Peace of Lund|ultimately unsuccessful]] in their attempts, and Charles XI undertook several measures to prevent what had just almost happened from occurring again: reducing the influence of the aristocracy by [[Reduction (Sweden)|nationalizing estates and properties]] which had been handed out to them by his predecessors, introducing the [[Allotment system]] ({{langx|sv|indelningsverket}}) which would form the basis of the armed forces until the 20th century, and with the support of the Estates he was declared in 1680 an [[absolute monarch]].

Charles XI was succeeded by his son, [[Charles XII of Sweden|Charles XII]], who would prove to be an extremely able military commander, defeating far larger enemies with the small but highly professional Swedish army. His defeat of the Russians [[Battle of Narva (1700)|at Narva]] when just 18 years old was to be his greatest victory. However his campaigning at the head of his army during the [[Great Northern War]] would ultimately lead to catastrophic defeat at the [[Battle of Poltava]] after which he spent several years in [[Moldova|Turkey (now Moldova)]]. Some years later he was killed at the [[Siege of Fredriksten]] during an attempt to invade Norway. The Swedish Age of Greatness ({{langx|sv|stormaktstiden}}) had ended.{{#tag:ref|Sweden ceded its Baltic provinces and parts of Finland to Russia in the 1721 [[Treaty of Nystad]].|group="n"|name="n18"}}

===18th century to the present===

{{Chart top|collapsed=yes|[[House of Oldenburg]] (Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp branch) & Succession to the Swedish Throne}}

{{Tree chart/start|style=font-size:95%}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | |A02 | | |A01  | | | | | | | | |
A01=[[File:Blason_Dynastie_Holstein-Gottorp.svg|50px]]<br/>'''{{Small|{{Color|#006600|House of Schleswig-<br/>Holstein-Gottorp}}}}'''|boxstyle_A01=border-width:0px|

A02=[[File:Armoiries Suède Palatinat1.svg|50px]]<br/>'''{{Small|{{Color| #00008B |[[House of Palatinate-Zweibrücken|House of Sweden—Palatine-Zweibrücken]]}}}}'''|boxstyle_A02=border-width:0px}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | |C11  | | | |`|-|-|A01  | | | | |
C11='''[[Charles XI of Sweden]]'''<br/>{{Small|'''[[List of Swedish monarchs|King of Sweden]]'''<br/>'''r. 1660–1697'''<br/>1655–1697}}|boxstyle_C11=border-width:2px; border-color:#00008B|

A01='''[[Christian Albert, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp|Christian Albert]]'''<br/>{{Small|'''Duke of Schleswig-<br/>Holstein-Gottorp'''<br/>'''r. 1659–1695'''<br/>1641–1695|boxstyle_A01=border-width:2px; border-color:#2E8B57}}}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | | |!| | | |,|-|-|-|(| | | | | |}}

{{Tree chart|border=1|PG| |UE |y|A01  | | |A02   |y|A03  | | | |
PG = '''[[Peter the Great]]'''<br/>{{Small|'''[[Emperor of all the Russias|Emperor of Russia]]'''<br/>'''r. 1682–1725'''<br/>1672 – 1725}}|boxstyle_PG=border-width:2px; border-color:#FFD700|

UE='''[[Hedvig Sophia of Sweden]]'''<br/>{{Small|'''[[List of Swedish monarchs|hieress of Sweden]]'''<br/>'''eldest sister of [[Charles XII of Sweden]]'''<br/>1681–1708}}|boxstyle_UE=border-width:2px; border-color:#00008B|

A01='''[[Frederick IV, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp|Frederick IV]]'''<br/>{{Small|'''Duke of Schleswig-<br/>Holstein-Gottorp'''<br/>'''r. 1695–1702'''<br/>1671–1702}}|boxstyle_A01=border-width:2px; border-color:#2E8B57|

A02='''[[Christian August of Holstein-Gottorp, Prince of Eutin|Christian August]]'''<br/>{{Small|1673–1726}}|

A03='''[[Princess Albertina Frederica of Baden-Durlach|Albertina]]<br/>of Baden-Durach'''<br/>{{Small|her [[Christina Magdalena of the Palatinate-Zweibrücken|grandmother]] was a sister <br/>of [[Charles X Gustav of Sweden|Charles X of Sweden]]}}}}

{{Tree chart|border=1|A01  | | |,|-|'| |,|-|-|-|v|-|-|^|v|-|-|.|
A01=[[File:House_of_Romanoff.svg|50px]]<br/>[[House of Romanov|'''{{Small|{{Color|#006600|House of Romanov}}}}''']]|boxstyle_A01=border-width:0px}}

{{Tree chart|border=1|A01  |y|A02  | |JO | |A03  | |A04  | |A05  |
A01='''[[Grand Duchess Anna Petrovna of Russia|Anna]]'''<br/>{{Small|'''[[List of consorts of Holstein-Gottorp|Duchess consort of<br/>Holstein-Gottorp]]'''<br/>'''r. 1725–1728'''<br/>1708–1728}}|

A02='''[[Charles Frederick, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp|Charles Frederick]]'''<br/>{{Small|'''[[Duke of Holstein-Gottorp|Duke of Schleswig-<br/>Holstein-Gottorp]]'''<br/>'''r. 1702–1739'''<br/>1700–1739}}|boxstyle_A02=border-width:2px; border-color:#00008B|

JO='''[[Joanna Elisabeth of Holstein-Gottorp|Joanna Elisabeth]]'''<br/>{{Small|1712–1760<br/>'''married [[Christian August, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst|Christian August]]-<br/>Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst'''}}|

A03='''[[Adolf Frederick of Sweden|Adolf Frederick]]'''<br/>{{Small|'''[[List of Swedish monarchs|King of Sweden]]'''<br/>'''r. 1751–1771'''<br/>1710–1771}}|boxstyle_A03=border-width:2px; border-color:#00008B|

A04='''[[Frederick August I, Duke of Oldenburg|Frederick August I]]'''<br/>{{Small|'''[[Counts, dukes and grand dukes of Oldenburg|Duke of Oldenburg]]'''<br/>'''r. 1774–1785'''<br/>1711–1785}}|

A05='''[[Prince Georg Ludwig of Holstein-Gottorp|George Louis]]'''<br/>{{Small|1719–1763}}}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| |,|-|'| |,|-|-|-|'| | | |!| | | |!| | |!| }}

{{Tree chart|border=1|A01  | | |!| | | |,|A02 |(| | | |!| | |!|
A01=[[File:Arms of the House Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov.png|50px]]<br/>[[House of Romanov#House of Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov|'''{{Small|{{Color|#006600|House of Holstein-<br/>Gottorp-Romanov}}}}''']]|boxstyle_A01=border-width:0px|

A02=[[File:Blason dynastie Holstein-Gottorp (branche suèdoise).svg|50px]]<br/>'''{{Small|{{Color| #00008B |[[House of Holstein-Gottorp (Swedish line)]]}}}}'''|boxstyle_A02=border-width:0px

}}

{{Tree chart|border=1|A01  |y|CA | | A02  | |A03  | |A04  | |A05  |
A01='''[[Peter III of Russia|Peter III]]'''<br/>{{Small|'''[[Emperor of all the Russias|Emperor of Russia]]'''<br/>'''r. 1762-1762'''<br/>1728–1762}}|boxstyle_A01=border-width:2px; border-color:#FFD700|

CA='''[[Catherine the Great|Catherine II the Great]]'''<br/>{{Small|'''[[Emperor of all the Russias|Emperess of Russia]]'''<br/>'''r. 1762–1796'''<br/>1729–1796}}|boxstyle_CA=border-width:2px; border-color:#FFD700|

A02='''[[Gustav III]]'''<br/>{{Small|'''[[List of Swedish monarchs|King of Sweden]]'''<br/>'''r. 1771–1792'''<br/>1746–1792}}|boxstyle_A02=border-width:2px; border-color:#00008B|

A03='''[[Charles XIII]]'''<br/>{{Small|'''[[List of Swedish monarchs|King of Sweden]]'''<br/>'''r. 1809–1818'''<br/>'''[[List of Norwegian monarchs|King of Norway]]'''<br/>'''r. 1814–1818'''<br/>1748–1818}}|boxstyle_A03=border-width:2px; border-color:#00008B|

A04='''[[Wilhelm, Duke of Oldenburg|William]]'''<br/>{{Small|'''[[Counts, dukes and grand dukes of Oldenburg|Duke of Oldenburg]]'''<br/>'''r. 1785–1823'''<br/>1754–1823}}|

A05='''[[Peter I, Grand Duke of Oldenburg|Peter I]]'''<br/>{{Small|'''[[Counts, dukes and grand dukes of Oldenburg|Grand Duke of <br/>Oldenburg]]'''<br/>'''r. 1823–1829'''<br/>1755–1829}}|boxstyle_A05=border-width:2px; border-color:#2E8B57}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| |,|-|'| || | | |! | | | |: | | | | | | |! |}}

{{Tree chart|border=1|A01  | |  | | | |A02 | |A04 | | | | |A03  |
A01='''[[Paul I of Russia|Paul I]]'''<br/>{{Small|'''[[Emperor of all the Russias|Emperor of Russia]]'''<br/>'''r. 1796–1801'''<br/>1754–1801}}|boxstyle_A01=border-width:2px; border-color:#FFD700|

A02='''[[Gustav IV Adolf]]'''<br/>{{Small|'''[[List of Swedish monarchs|King of Sweden]]'''<br/>'''r. 1792–1809'''<br/>1778–1837}}|boxstyle_A02=border-width:2px; border-color:#00008B|

A04='''[[Charles XIV John]]'''<br/>'''[[House of Bernadotte|Bernadotte]]'''<br/>{{Small|'''[[List of Swedish monarchs|King of Sweden]]'''<br/>'''r. 1818–1844'''<br/>1763–1844}}|boxstyle_A04=border-width:2px; border-color:#00008B|

A03='''[[Augustus, Grand Duke of Oldenburg|Augustus]]'''<br/>{{Small|'''[[Counts, dukes and grand dukes of Oldenburg|Grand Duke of <br/>Oldenburg]]'''<br/>'''r. 1829–1853'''<br/>1783–1853}}|boxstyle_A03=border-width:2px; border-color:#2E8B57}}

{{Tree chart|border=1|A02 | | | | | | | | | |A01 | | | | | | | | |

A01=[[File:Charles XIV John CoA.png|50px]]<br/>{{Small|'''{{Color| #00008B |[[House of Bernadotte|House Sweden-Bernadotte]]}}'''}}|boxstyle_A01=border-width:0px|

A02=[[File:Coat of arms of the Russian Empire.svg |50px]]<br/>[[House of Romanov#House of Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov|'''{{Small|{{Color|#006600|House of Holstein-<br/>Gottorp-Romanov}}}}''']] |boxstyle_A02=border-width:0px}}

{{Tree chart/end}}

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Charles XII's sister, [[Ulrika Eleonora, Queen of Sweden|Ulrika Eleonora]], now claimed the throne over her nephew and son of her elder sister, [[Charles Frederick, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp]] (see genealogy chart above). Charles Frederick had the claim of seniority within the family, but Ulrica Eleonora claimed that her elder sister had not "acquired the consent of the Parliamentary [[Estates of the realm#In Sweden and Finland|Estates]]" for her marriage to his father, according to laws of succession laid down in ''Norrköpings arvförening''. The duke's party asserted that the [[absolute monarchy]] in Sweden, which his grandfather King Charles XI had created, made that marriage clause irrelevant. When Charles Frederick was confronted with Ulrika Eleonora, he was forced by [[Arvid Horn]] to greet her as queen.<ref name="Lundh-Eriksson"/> He asked to be granted the title Royal Highness and to be recognised as her heir, but when her husband, [[Frederick I of Sweden|Frederick of Hesse]], instead was given the title, he left Sweden in 1719. In 1723, he was granted the title Royal Highness in his absence, but his pro-Russian policy at that time made him impossible as heir to the Swedish throne. His marriage in 1725 to [[Grand Duchess Anna Petrovna of Russia|Anna]], the daughter of Peter of Great, did not help his case.<ref name="Lundh-Eriksson">Lundh-Eriksson, Nanna (Swedish): Den glömda drottningen. Karl XII:s syster. Ulrika Eleonora D.Y. och hennes tid (The Forgotten Queen. The Sister of Charles XII. The Age of Ulrika Eleonora the Younger) Affärstryckeriet, Norrtälje. (1976)</ref> His mother, and later Hedwig Eleonora, both supported and worked for his right to be considered heir of Sweden after his childless uncle.<ref name="Lundh-Eriksson"/>

[[Ulrika Eleonora, Queen of Sweden|Ulrika Eleonora]] was forced by the Estates to sign the [[Instrument of Government (1719)|1719 Instrument of Government]], which ended the absolute monarchy and made the [[Riksdag of the Estates]] the highest organ of the state and reduced the role of monarch to a [[figurehead]]. The [[Age of Liberty]] ({{langx|sv|frihetstiden}}) with its parliamentary rule, dominated by two parties – the [[Caps (party)|Caps]] and the [[Hats (party)|Hats]] – had begun. Ulrika Eleonora had had enough after a year on the throne and abdicated in favor of her husband, [[Frederick I of Sweden|Frederick]], who had little interest in the affairs of state and was elected King by the Estates as King Frederick I, resulting in the [[Instrument of Government (1720)|1720 Instrument of Government]]: content-wise almost identical to the one from 1719. Despite having many extra-marital affairs, Frederick I never sired a legitimate heir to the throne.

{{citation needed span |text=After the death/impending death of King Frederick without heirs, Charles Frederick's heir, Charles Peter Ulrich, had become untenable in Sweden, as he had been taken to Russia by his aunt [[Elizabeth I of Russia]], nominated as heir/Grand Duke, and became Emperor [[Peter III of Russia]].   In 1743, Adolf Frederick, a cousin of Charles Frederick, of the same house of Holstein-Gottrop, and a descendant of a sister of [[Charles X Gustav of Sweden]] was elected heir to the throne of Sweden by the [[Hats (party)|Hat faction]] (Swedish: ''Hattarna''). The Hat faction wanted to obtain better conditions at the [[Treaty of Åbo]] from Empress [[Elizabeth of Russia]], |date=April 2023}} who had adopted his nephew as her [[Heir presumptive|heir]]. {{citation needed span |text=His mother, [[Albertina Frederica of Baden-Durlach]] (1682–1755), was a descendant of earlier royal dynasties of Sweden, great-granddaughter of [[Catherine of Sweden, Countess Palatine of Kleeburg|Princess Catherine of Sweden]], mother of King [[Charles X of Sweden]]. |date=April 2023}} On his mother's side, Adolf Frederick was descended from King [[Gustav I of Sweden|Gustav Vasa]] and [[Christina Magdalena of Pfalz-Zweibrücken|Christina Magdalena]], a sister of [[Charles X of Sweden]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://historiesajten.se/visainfo.asp?id=414|title=Kristina Magdalena av Pfalz-Zweibrücken|publisher=historiesajten.se|author=Nina Ringbom|access-date=1 January 2019|archive-date=28 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128173032/https://historiesajten.se/visainfo.asp?id=414|url-status=live}}</ref> He succeeded as King Adolf Frederick 8 years later on 25 March 1751.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://runeberg.org/nfbk/0057.html|title=Hattpartiet, Hattarna|publisher=Nordisk familjebok|access-date=1 January 2019|archive-date=8 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408140105/http://runeberg.org/nfbk/0057.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

During his 20-year reign, Adolf Frederick was little more than a [[figurehead]], the real power being with the [[Riksdag of the Estates]], often distracted by party strife. Twice he endeavored to free himself from the tutelage of the estates. The first occasion was in 1756. Stimulated by his consort [[Louisa Ulrika of Prussia]] (sister of [[Frederick the Great]]), he tried to regain a portion of the attenuated prerogative through the [[Coup of 1756]] to abolish the rule of the Riksdag of the Estates and reinstate absolute monarchy in Sweden. He nearly lost his throne in consequence. On the second occasion during the [[December Crisis (1768)|December Crisis of 1768]], under the guidance of his eldest son, [[Gustav III|Gustav]], he succeeded in overthrowing the "Cap" (Swedish: ''Mössorna'') senate, but was unable to make any use of his victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://runeberg.org/nfbs/0211.html|title=Mösspartiet, Mössorna|publisher=Nordisk familjebok|access-date=1 January 2019|archive-date=21 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821034324/http://runeberg.org/nfbs/0211.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Adolf Frederick's son, King [[Gustav III]], was more successful in restoring royal authority.  In 1772, the 1720 Instrument in Government was later replaced by the [[Instrument of Government (1772)|1772 Instrument of Government]] in a [[self-coup]] orchestrated by the King.

[[File:Karl XIV Johan, king of Sweden and Norway, painted by Fredric Westin.jpg|thumb|upright|Crown Prince [[Charles XIV John of Sweden|Charles John]] at the [[Battle of Leipzig]] (1813). Painting by [[Fredric Westin]].]]
On 17 September 1809 in the [[Treaty of Fredrikshamn]], as a result of the poorly managed [[Finnish War]], Sweden had to surrender [[Finland]] to Russia. King [[Gustav IV Adolf]] and his descendants were deposed in a coup d'état led by dissatisfied [[Swedish Army|army]] officers. The childless uncle of the former king was almost immediately elected as King [[Charles XIII of Sweden|Charles XIII]]. The [[Instrument of Government (1809)|Instrument of Government of 1809]] put an end to royal [[absolute monarchy|absolutism]] by dividing the legislative power between the [[Riksdag of the Estates|Riksdag]] (primary) and the king (secondary), and vested executive power in the king when acting through the [[King in Council (Sweden)|Council of State]].

The present [[House of Bernadotte|Bernadotte dynasty]] was established in September 1810 when the Riksdag, convened in [[Örebro]], elected [[Marshal of France|French Marshal]] and Prince of Pontecorvo [[Charles XIV John of Sweden|Jean-Baptiste Jules Bernadotte]] as crown prince. This took place because Charles XIII had no legitimate heir, and a crown prince previously elected in January 1810, [[Charles August, Crown Prince of Sweden|Charles August]], suddenly had died of a stroke during a military exercise.

Although the 19th century Bernadotte monarchs that would follow [[Charles XIV John]]'s reign tried to defend the power and privileges they still had, the tide incrementally turned against "personal regal rule" ({{langx|sv|personlig kungamakt}}) with the growth of the liberals, social democrats, and the expansion of the franchise.<ref name="Larsson & Bäck:66-67">[[#Larsson & Bäck|Larsson & Bäck]]: pp. 66–67.</ref>

The daughter of [[Gustav IV Adolph]], Princess [[Princess Sophie of Sweden|Sofia Wilhelmina]] (21 May 1801 – 1865) married Grand Duke [[Leopold, Grand Duke of Baden|Leopold of Baden]], and their granddaughter [[Victoria of Baden]] married the [[House of Bernadotte|Bernadotte]] king [[Gustaf V of Sweden]]. The present King [[Carl XVI Gustaf]] of Sweden is thus Gustav IV's heir through his grandfather, [[Gustav VI Adolf]].

{{Chart top|collapsed=yes|House of Bernadotte and Link to Earlier Swedish Dynasties}}

{{Tree chart/start}}
{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | | |C14| |Eug|y|Ama| | | | | |Gu4
 |C14='''[[Charles XIV John of Sweden|Charles XIV John]]'''<br/>(1763–1844)<br/>[[Swedish Act of Succession|Elected Crown Prince by the Riksdag 1810]]<br/>{{R.|1818|1844}}
   |boxstyle_C14=border-color:#C00; border-width:2px
 |Eug=[[Eugène de Beauharnais]]<br/>(1781–1824)
 |Ama=[[Princess Augusta of Bavaria]]<br/>(1788–1851)
 |Gu4='''[[Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden|Gustav IV Adolf]]'''<br/>(1778–1837)<br/>{{R.|1792|[[Coup of 1809|1809]]}}
   |boxstyle_Gu4=border-color:#C00; border-width:2px
}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | | | |!| | | |,|-|'| | | | | | | | | |)|-|-|-|.| 
}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | | |Os1|y|Jos| | | | | |Leo|y|Sop| |Guv
 |Jos=[[Josephine of Leuchtenberg]]<br/>(1807–1876)
 |Os1='''[[Oscar I of Sweden|Oscar I]]'''<br/>(1799–1859)<br/>{{R.|1844|1859}}
   |boxstyle_Os1=border-color:#C00; border-width:2px
 |Sop=[[Princess Sophie of Sweden|Princess Sophie]]<br/>(1801–1865)
 |Leo=[[Leopold, Grand Duke of Baden]]<br/>(1790–1852)
 |Guv=[[Gustavus, Crown Prince of Sweden|Crown Prince Gustav]]<br/>(1799–1877)
}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | | | |,|-|^|-|v|-|-|-|.| | | |,|-|'| 
}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | | |C15| |GuUp| |Os2| |Frb| 
 |Os2='''[[Oscar II of Sweden|Oscar II]]'''<br/>(1829–1907)<br/>{{R.|1872|1907}}
   |boxstyle_Os2=border-color:#C00; border-width:2px
 |C15='''[[Charles XV of Sweden|Charles XV]]'''<br/>(1826–1872)<br/>{{R.|1859|1872}}
   |boxstyle_C15=border-color:#C00; border-width:2px
 |GuUp=[[Prince Gustaf, Duke of Uppland|Prince Gustaf]]<br/>[[Prince Gustaf, Duke of Uppland|Duke of Uppland]]<br/>(1827–1852)
 |Frb=[[Frederick I, Grand Duke of Baden]]<br/>(186–1907)
}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | | | |)|-|-|-|.| | | |!| | | |!| 
}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| |FreVIII|~|LouSwe| |CaO| |Gu5|y|Vic| 
 |FreVIII=[[Frederick VIII of Denmark]]<br/>(1843–1912)
 |LouSwe=[[Louise of Sweden|Princess Louise]]<br/>[[List of Danish consorts|Queen consort of Denmark]]<br/>(1851–1926)
 |Vic=[[Victoria of Baden]]<br/>(1862–1930)
 |Gu5='''[[Gustaf V of Sweden|Gustaf V]]'''<br/>(1858–1950)<br/>{{R.|1907|1950}}
   |boxstyle_Gu5=border-color:#C00; border-width:2px
 |CaO=[[Prince Carl Oscar, Duke of Södermanland|Prince Carl Oscar]]<br/>[[Prince Carl Oscar, Duke of Södermanland|Duke of Södermanland]]<br/>(1852–1854)
}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |,|-|'| 
}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | | | | | | | | | | |Gu6| 
 |Gu6='''[[Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden|Gustaf VI Adolf]]'''<br/>(1882–1973)<br/>{{R.|1950|1973}}
   |boxstyle_Gu6=border-color:#C00; border-width:2px
}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |!| 
}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | | | | | | | | | | |Gua| 
 |Gua=[[Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten|Prince Gustaf Adolf]]<br/>[[Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten|Duke of Västerbotten]]<br/>(1906–1947)
}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |!| 
}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | | | | | | | | | | |C16| 
 |C16='''[[Carl XVI Gustaf]]'''<br/>(b. 1946)<br/>{{R.|1973|present}}
   |boxstyle_C16=border-color:#C00; border-width:2px
}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |)|-|-|-|.| 
}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | | | | | | | | | | |Vic| |CaPh| 
 |Vic=[[Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden|Crown Princess Victoria]]<br/>[[Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden|Duchess of Västergötland]]<br/>1977–<br/>(Crown Princess from 1980)
 |CaPh=[[Prince Carl Philip, Duke of Värmland|Prince Carl Philip]]<br/>[[Prince Carl Philip, Duke of Värmland|Duke of Värmland]]<br/>(b. 1979)<br/>(Crown Prince 1979–1980)

}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |!| 
}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | | | | | | | | | | |Este| 
 |Este=[[Princess Estelle, Duchess of Östergötland|Princess Estelle]]<br/>[[Princess Estelle, Duchess of Östergötland|Duchess of Östergötland]]<br/>(b. 2012)
 
}}
{{Tree chart/end}}
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When King [[Gustav V]] publicly objected to the defence budget cuts made by Prime Minister [[Karl Staaff]] and the cabinet just before the [[First World War]] in the event known as the [[Courtyard Crisis]] accompanied by the [[Peasant armament support march]] ({{langx|sv|bondetåget}}), it was seen as a deliberate provocation by conservatives and reactionaries against the uncodified norm of a [[parliamentary system]] supported by the liberals and the social democrats, leading to Staaff's resignation.<ref name="Larsson & Bäck:67-68">[[#Larsson & Bäck|Larsson & Bäck]]: pp. 67–68.</ref> Gustaf V then appointed a caretaker government, supported by the conservatives, led by legal scholar [[Hjalmar Hammarskjöld]], which remained in power longer than expected due to the outbreak of World War I (in which Sweden remained [[Swedish neutrality|neutral]]). By then, increased defence spending was no longer a controversial issue.<ref name="Larsson & Bäck:68-69">[[#Larsson & Bäck|Larsson & Bäck]]: pp. 68–69.</ref> Nevertheless, in the year of the outbreak of the [[Russian Revolution]], social tensions continued to rise; the general election in 1917 gave the liberals and social democrats greatly strengthened representation in both Riksdag chambers and a conservative government was no longer a defensible option.<ref name="Larsson & Bäck:68-69" /> Following the definite breakthrough of [[parliamentarism]] in 1917, with the appointment of the coalition government of liberals and social democrats led by professor [[Nils Edén]], the political influence of the King was considerably reduced and an unwritten constitutional precedent was set that would remain in effect until 1975.<ref name="Larsson & Bäck:66-69">[[#Larsson & Bäck|Larsson & Bäck]]: pp. 66–69.</ref><ref name="Lewin:112-115">[[#Lewin:112-115|Lewin]]: pp. 112–115.</ref>

Only during [[World War II]], in the so-called [[Midsummer crisis]] (regarding the issue whether neutral Sweden should permit [[Transit of German troops through Finland and Sweden|rail transport of German troops from Norway passing through to Finland]]), did Gustaf V allegedly try to intervene in the political process by threatening to [[abdication|abdicate]].<ref name="Larsson & Bäck:72">[[#Larsson & Bäck|Larsson & Bäck]]: p. 72.</ref>

King [[Gustaf VI Adolf]] succeeded his elderly father who died in 1950, and he is generally regarded as a constitutional monarch who stayed out of politics and controversy. In 1954, a royal commission began work on whether Sweden should undergo constitutional reform to adapt the [[1809 Instrument of Government]] to current political realities, or whether a new one should be written; ultimately the latter idea was chosen.<ref name="Bergman1999" /> The future role of the monarchy was settled in a manner well known within Swedish political discourse: a political compromise reached at the summer resort of [[Torekov]] in 1971 (hence known as the ''Torekov compromise'', {{langx|sv|Torekovskompromissen}}) by representatives of four of the parties in the [[Riksdag]] (the [[Swedish Social Democratic Party|Social Democrats]], the [[Centre Party (Sweden)|Centre Party]], the [[Liberal People's Party (Sweden)|Liberal People's Party]], and the [[Moderate Party]], that is all the parties except the [[Left Party (Sweden)|Communists]]).{{#tag:ref|Also known as the Torekov Agreement ({{langx|sv|Torekovsövernskommelsen}}). The participants were Valter Åman (s), [[Bertil Fiskesjö]] (c), Birger Lundström (fp) and Allan Hernelius (m).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=83&artikel=4980649|title=Monarken utan formell makt efter Torekovskompromissen|date=23 February 2012|work=[[Sveriges Radio]]|language=sv|access-date=22 October 2014|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304090259/http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=83&artikel=4980649|url-status=live}}</ref>|group=n|name=n6}}<ref name="Bergman1999" /> It mandated that the monarchy would remain largely as it was but would become entirely ceremonial, without any residual political powers left.<ref name="Bergman1999">Torbjörn Bergman (1999). "Trade-offs in Swedish Constitutional design: The Monarchy Under Challenge". In Wolfgang C. Müller and [[Kaare Strøm (political scientist)|Kaare Strøm]], eds., ''Policy? Office?, or Votes? How Political Parties Make Hard Choices''. [[Cambridge University Press]]. {{ISBN|0-521-63723-6}}.</ref>

Following the required double [[Riksdag]] votes that took place in 1973 and 1974, a new [[Constitution of Sweden|Instrument of Government]] was brought into effect. The monarch's functions and duties, as defined in the 1974 Constitution Act, include heading the special cabinet council held when there is a change of government, but no executive powers with respect to the governance of the realm are vested in him.<ref name="Duties of the Monarch">{{cite web|url=http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/monarchy/themonarchyinsweden/dutiesofthemonarch.4.396160511584257f2180003302.html|title=Duties of the Monarch|publisher=[[Royal Court of Sweden]]|access-date=2014-02-22|archive-date=16 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316041821/http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/monarchy/themonarchyinsweden/dutiesofthemonarch.4.396160511584257f2180003302.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="The Head of State">{{cite web|url=http://www.government.se/sb/d/2853/nocache/true/a/21785/dictionary/true|title=The Head of State|publisher=[[Government of Sweden]]|access-date=2014-02-22|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225235411/http://www.government.se/sb/d/2853/nocache/true/a/21785/dictionary/true|archive-date=25 February 2014}}</ref>

[[Carl XVI Gustaf]] became king on 15 September 1973 on the death of his grandfather [[Gustaf VI Adolf]] and because of his father's early death has become the longest reigning monarch in Swedish history.<ref name="SFS 1973:702"/> His [[Golden Jubilee of Carl XVI Gustaf|King's Golden Jubilee]] was celebrated in 2023. Leading up to that year and including it, beginning already in 2018, some of the most serious criticism ever published took place about Carl Gustaf and the way the monarchy has developed during his reign.<ref>[https://www.svtplay.se/video/ebmEDGY/uppdrag-granskning/kungens-bostader ''Uppdrag granskning - kungens bostäder''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922042225/https://www.svtplay.se/video/ebmEDGY/uppdrag-granskning/kungens-bostader |date=22 September 2023 }} [[Sveriges Television|SVT]] 2023-05–16</ref><ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/>

==Constitutional and official role==
{{Politics of Sweden|monarchy}}

When, on 1 January 1975, it replaced the [[Instrument of Government of 1809]] as part of the [[Basic Laws of Sweden|Constitution of Sweden]], the [[Instrument of Government (1974)|Instrument of Government of 1974]] ({{langx|sv|1974 års regeringsform}}) transformed the advisory [[King in Council (Sweden)|Council of State]] ({{lang|sv|Statsrådet}}) into the collegial [[Government of Sweden|Government]] ({{lang|sv|Regeringen}}), to which all executive power was transferred.<ref name="Nergelius:15-16">[[#Nergelius|Nergelius]]: pp. 15–16.</ref><ref name="Nergelius:33-34">[[#Nergelius|Nergelius]]: pp. 33–34.</ref> Responsibility for nominating and dismissing the [[Prime Minister of Sweden|prime minister]] (who, since 1975, is elected by the [[Riksdag]]) was transferred to the [[Speaker of the Riksdag]]; the prime minister appoints and dismisses the other [[Minister (government)|ministers]] at his or her discretion.<ref name="Nergelius:33-34"/><ref name="Forming a government">{{cite web|url=http://www.riksdagen.se/en/How-the-Riksdag-works/Democracy/Forming-a-government/|title=Forming a government|publisher=The Riksdag|access-date=2014-10-24|archive-date=9 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009160056/http://www.riksdagen.se/en/How-the-Riksdag-works/Democracy/Forming-a-government/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Larsson & Bäck:166-170">[[#Larsson & Bäck|Larsson & Bäck]]: pp. 166–170.</ref>{{#tag:ref|The Speaker of the Riksdag, not the Prime Minister, is considered the second highest public office in the [[Swedish order of precedence|order of precedence]], below the head of state.<ref name="Larsson & Bäck:155">[[#Larsson & Bäck|Larsson & Bäck]]: p. 155.</ref>|group=n|name=n12}} Furthermore, bills passed by the Riksdag become law without [[royal assent]]: the prime minister or any other cabinet minister signs them "On Behalf of the Government" ({{lang|sv|På regeringens vägnar}}).<ref name="Prop. 1973:90" />

Although the unwritten precedent was set in 1917, when [[Gustaf V]] had little choice but to support the idea of a [[parliamentary system]] and promised Prime Minister [[Nils Edén]] to stop seeking advice from secret advisors other than the duly appointed cabinet ministers and not to interfere in politics again;<ref name="Lewin:112-115"/><ref name="Larsson & Bäck:65-69">[[#Larsson & Bäck|Larsson & Bäck]]: pp. 65–69.</ref> the Torekov compromise, struck in 1971 by the four major parties at the time, provided, and continues to provide, a majority consensus in Swedish political discourse on the role of the monarchy within the constitutional framework.<ref name=Bergman1999 /><ref name="The Head of State"/><ref name="Nergelius:41">[[#Nergelius|Nergelius]]: p. 41.</ref> The official motive for the radical changes which came to pass in 1975 was for it to be as descriptive as possible of the workings of the state and clear on how decisions actually are made.<ref name="Prop. 1973:90" /> Minister of Justice [[Lennart Geijer]] further remarked on the 1973 government bill that any continued pretensions of royal involvement in government decision making would be of a "fictitious nature" and therefore "highly unsatisfactory".<ref name="Prop. 1973:90" />

Thus, the monarch lost all formal executive powers, becoming a ceremonial and representative [[figurehead]].<ref name="Prop. 1973:90">Prop. 1973:90. Kungl. Maj:ts proposition med förslag till ny regeringsform och ny riksdagsordning m. m.; given Stockholms slott den 16 mars 1973. pp. 172–175.</ref><ref name="Nergelius:41"/><ref name="Larsson & Bäck:166">[[#Larsson & Bäck|Larsson & Bäck]]: p. 166.</ref> The monarch, while explicitly referred to as the "Head of State" ({{lang|sv|Statschefen}}) in the 1974 Instrument of Government,{{#tag:ref|Such as in the first article in which the monarch is mentioned: {{blockquote|'''Art. 5.''' The King or Queen who occupies the throne of Sweden in accordance with the [[Swedish Act of Succession|Act of Succession]] shall be the Head of State.<ref name="IOG 1:5">[[#IOG|The Instrument of Government]]: Chapter 1, Article 5.</ref>}}|group="n"|name="n26"}} is not even the [[wikt:nominal|nominal]] chief executive.{{#tag:ref|Given their predominance in 20th century Swedish politics, the public positions taken by the leaders of the Social Democrats are noteworthy; particularly given that their party programme does call for the abolishment of the monarchy.<ref name="Socialdemokraterna och republikfrågan" /> Party leaders and prime ministers [[Hjalmar Branting]], [[Per-Albin Hansson]] and [[Tage Erlander]] all made statements to the effect of being for a republic in principle whenever the issue was raised, but that it was not worth pursuing (presumably fearing an electoral backlash).<ref name="Åse:58-60">[[#Åse|Åse]]: pp. 58–60.</ref>
At the 1972 party congress of the Social Democrats, Prime Minister [[Olof Palme]] publicly defended the Torekov compromise, in response some members that yearned for a republic, by famously characterizing that the upcoming reforms would reduce the constitutional role of the monarchy to nothing but a "[[Plume (feather)|plume]]" ({{lang|sv|plym}}) and thus paving the way to abolish the monarchy with the ''stroke of a pen'' ({{lang|sv|penndrag}}) at some distant point in the future. Palme emphasized though that other reforms were far more important for the Social Democrats than abolishing the monarchy.<ref name="Socialdemokraterna och republikfrågan">{{cite web|url=http://www.arbark.se/2010/06/socialdemokraterna-och-republikfragan|title=Socialdemokraterna och republikfrågan|date=18 June 2010|publisher=Arbetarrörelsen arkiv och bibliotek (Swedish Labour Movement Archives and Library)|access-date=2014-12-02|archive-date=14 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114021357/http://www.arbark.se/2010/06/socialdemokraterna-och-republikfragan/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Åse:11-13">[[#Åse|Åse]]: pp. 11–13.</ref>
Successive leaders (and prime ministers) [[Ingvar Carlsson]] and Göran Persson have also defended the status quo.<ref name="Socialdemokraterna och republikfrågan" />
|group="n"|name="n24"}}<ref name="The Head of State"/><ref name="Nergelius:15-16"/><ref name=Petersson:44>[[#Petersson|Petersson]]: p. 44.</ref> The Instrument of Government of 1974 does grant the person serving as king or queen regnant [[absolute immunity]] from criminal (but not civil) charges for as long as he or she remains in office.<ref name=Nergelius:42 />{{#tag:ref|This could be interpreted as "for life", given the historical precedent: no voluntary abdication has occurred since [[Ulrika Eleonora]], in 1719 and only three hereditary monarchs have been involuntarily deposed ([[Eric XIV]] in 1568, [[Sigismund III Vasa|Sigisumnd]] 1599, and [[Gustav IV Adolf]] in 1809).|group=n|name=n14}} The monarch therefore cannot be prosecuted or otherwise held to account for his or her actions, both official and private, in judicial proceedings.<ref name=Nergelius:42>[[#Nergelius|Nergelius]]: p. 42.</ref> None of the other members of the [[Swedish Royal Family|royal family]] or the employees the [[Royal Court of Sweden|Royal Court]] enjoy similar immunity.<ref name=Nergelius:42 />

At the request of the Speaker of the Riksdag, the monarch [[Opening of the Riksdag|opens the annual session of the Riksdag]] ({{lang|sv|Riksmötets öppnande}}) in the chamber of the [[Riksdag building]].{{#tag:ref|The Riksdag Act provision in question reads:
{{blockquote|'''Special meeting for the opening of the Riksdag session'''
'''Art. 6.''' A special meeting of the Chamber for the formal opening of a Riksdag session takes
place no later than the third day of the session. At the request of the Speaker, the Head of State
declares the session open. If the Head of State is unable to attend, the Speaker declares the session
open.<br />At this meeting, the Prime Minister delivers a statement of Government policy unless there are special grounds why he or she should refrain from doing so.
<br />
'''Time of meeting for the opening of the Riksdag session'''<br />
''Supplementary provision'' '''3.6.1''' The formal opening of the session after an election to the Riksdag takes place at 2 p.m. on the second day of the session.<br />
In years in which no election to the Riksdag has been held, the formal opening takes place on the first day of the session at the same time.<br />
The Speaker may appoint another time for the meeting.<ref name="RA 3:6">[[#RA|The Riksdag Act]]: Chapter 3, Article 6.</ref>}}|group="n"|name="n25"}}<ref name="A year in the Riksdag">{{cite web|url=http://www.riksdagen.se/en/How-the-Riksdag-works/What-does-the-Riksdag-do/A-year-in-the-Riksdag/|title=A year in the Riksdag|publisher=The Riksdag|access-date=2014-10-24|archive-date=24 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024144158/http://www.riksdagen.se/en/How-the-Riksdag-works/What-does-the-Riksdag-do/A-year-in-the-Riksdag/|url-status=live}}</ref> The king or [[queen regnant]] also receives [[Letters of Credence]] of foreign ambassadors sent to Sweden and signs those of Swedish ambassadors sent abroad.<ref name="Duties of the Monarch"/> The monarch also chairs the [[Council of State (Sweden)|Cabinet Council]] ({{lang|sv|skifteskonselj}}) in a session that establishes the new government following a [[Elections in Sweden|general election]] or major cabinet reshuffle and also chairs information councils ({{lang|sv|informationskonselj}}) approximately four times a year to get information from the assembled Government, apart from that given by ministers in individual audiences or through other means.<ref name="Duties of the Monarch"/><ref name=Nergelius:41-42>[[#Nergelius|Nergelius]]: pp. 41–42.</ref> Formally, it is the explicit responsibility of the prime minister to keep the monarch informed on the affairs of the realm; the failure to do so following the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami|2004 tsunami disaster in the Indian Ocean]] (in which many Swedes perished) gave rise to wide criticism of Prime Minister [[Göran Persson]] for his handling of the matter.<ref name=Nergelius:42 /> The monarch also chairs the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs ({{lang|sv|Utrikesnämnden}}), a body that enables the government of the day to inform not only the head of state, but also the speaker and representatives of the opposition parties in the Riksdag, on foreign affairs issues in a confidential manner.<ref name="Duties of the Monarch"/><ref name="Nergelius:41-42" /><ref name="The Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs">{{cite web|url=http://www.riksdagen.se/en/How-the-Riksdag-works/Authorities-and-boards-under-the-Riksdag/The-Advisory-Council-on-Foreign-Affairs/|title=The Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs|publisher=The [[Riksdag]]|access-date=2014-10-24|archive-date=24 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024144059/http://www.riksdagen.se/en/How-the-Riksdag-works/Authorities-and-boards-under-the-Riksdag/The-Advisory-Council-on-Foreign-Affairs/|url-status=live}}</ref>

While the monarch is no longer the [[Commander-in-chief#Sweden|commander-in-chief]] ({{lang|sv|högste befälhavare}}) of the [[Swedish Armed Forces]], as he once was under the 1809 Instrument of Government,<ref name=Bergman1999 /> he is the foremost representative of the Swedish defence establishment and holds supreme rank in each of the service arms. He ranks as a four star [[admiral]] in the [[Swedish Navy]] and general in the [[Swedish Army]] and [[Swedish Air Force|Air Force]].<ref name="Duties of the Monarch"/> As part of his court, the monarch has a [[Staff (military)|military staff]], which is headed by a senior officer (usually a general or admiral, retired from active service) and includes active duty military officers serving as [[Aide-de-camp|aides-de-camp]] to the monarch and his or her family.<ref name="Övriga funktioner">{{cite web|url=http://www.kungahuset.se/hovstaterna/hovstaternasorganisation/ovrigafunktioner.4.19ae4931022afdcff3800017274.html|title=Övriga funktioner|publisher=The [[Royal Court of Sweden]]|language=sv|access-date=2014-10-24|archive-date=2 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602045554/http://www.kungahuset.se/hovstaterna/hovstaternasorganisation/ovrigafunktioner.4.19ae4931022afdcff3800017274.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Cultural role==
The monarch and members of the [[Swedish Royal Family|Royal Family]] undertake a variety of official, unofficial and other representative duties within Sweden and abroad. The monarch and his or her family play a central role in [[state visit]]s to Sweden and conduct state visits to other nations on behalf of Sweden. Other members of the Royal Family may also represent the country abroad at lesser functions.
[[File:Royal standard of Sweden.svg|thumb|The royal standard used by the monarch]]

Many of the Swedish [[flag flying days in Sweden|general flag flying days]] have direct royal connections; among them are the [[Name days in Sweden|name days]] of the King (28 January), the Queen (8 August), and the Crown Princess (12 March); the birthdays of the King (30 April), the Queen (23 December), and the Crown Princess (14 July); and [[Gustavus Adolphus Day]] ({{langx|sv|Gustav Adolfsdagen}}), on 6 November, in memory of King [[Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden|Gustavus Adolphus]], who was killed on that date ([[Adoption of the Gregorian calendar#Sweden|old style]]) in 1632 in the [[Battle of Lützen (1632)|Battle of Lützen]].{{#tag:ref|According to the [[Gregorian calendar]], the king died on 16 November, but the [[Julian calendar]] ("old style") was still used in Protestant Sweden at the time and the same date is still used now.|group=n|name=n4}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/17thcentury/articles/geniusofsweden.aspx|publisher=Military History Online|title=The genius of Sweden's 'Lion of the North'|author=Steve Wilson|access-date=20 February 2014|archive-date=9 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209050158/http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/17thcentury/articles/geniusofsweden.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1338&dat=19011104&id=66VXAAAAIBAJ&pg=3598,459401|title=In Memory of a Great Man|date=4 November 1901|publisher=Spokane Daily Chronicle (scanned by Google)|access-date=20 February 2014|archive-date=14 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414155910/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1338&dat=19011104&id=66VXAAAAIBAJ&pg=3598,459401|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.swedishlanguagetraining.co.uk/calendar.html|title=Swedish Festival Calendar|publisher=Swedish Language Training London|access-date=20 February 2014|archive-date=25 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225041850/http://www.swedishlanguagetraining.co.uk/calendar.html|url-status=live}}</ref> None of these flag days are [[Public holidays in Sweden|public holidays]], however.{{#tag:ref|Flag days are regulated by an ordinance issued by the [[Government of Sweden]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://62.95.69.15/cgi-bin/thw?%24{HTML}=sfst_lst&%24{OOHTML}=sfst_dok&%24{SNHTML}=sfst_err&%24{BASE}=SFST&%24{TRIPSHOW}=format%3DTHW&BET=1982%3A270%24x| title=Förordning (1982:270) om allmänna flaggdagar| publisher=[[Swedish Code of Statutes]]| access-date=2014-10-21}}{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> This means that the [[Flag of Sweden|national flag]] is flown on all public flag poles and buildings on those dates.|group=n|name=n21}}

Perhaps the most globally known ceremony in which the Royal Family annually participate is the Nobel Prize award ceremony held at the [[Stockholm Concert Hall]] (and the subsequent [[Nobel Banquet|banquet]] in the [[Stockholm City Hall]]), where the monarch hands out the Nobel Prizes on behalf of the [[Nobel Foundation]] for outstanding contributions to mankind in [[Nobel Prize in Physics|physics]], [[Nobel Prize in Chemistry|chemistry]], [[Nobel Prize in Literature|literature]], [[Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine|physiology or medicine]], and the [[Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences|economic sciences]].<ref name=Levinovitz21-23>[[#Levinovitz|Levinovitz]], pp. 21–23</ref>

''[[Eriksgata]]'' was the name of the traditional journey of newly elected medieval [[List of Swedish monarchs|Swedish king]]s through important [[Provinces of Sweden|provinces]] to have their election confirmed by local ''[[thing (assembly)|Things]]''. The actual election took place at the [[Stone of Mora]] in [[Uppland]] and participation was originally restricted to the people of that area; hence, the need of having the election confirmed by the other parts of the realm. The Eriksgata gradually lost its importance when, as of the 14th century, representatives of other parts of Sweden began to participate in the election. After 1544, when [[hereditary monarchy]] was instituted, that meant that the Eriksgata had little practical importance. The last king to travel the Eriksgata according to the old tradition was [[Charles IX of Sweden|Charles IX]], whose reign began in 1604. Later, kings, up until present times, have made visits to all the Swedish provinces and called them an ''Eriksgata'', while those visits bear little resemblance to the medieval tradition.

==Titles==
[[File:Throne of Sweden 1982.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[Silver Throne]], used by all Swedish monarchs from [[Christina, Queen of Sweden|Queen Christina]] in 1650 onward]]

===Monarch===
The full title of the Swedish monarch from 1523<ref>{{Cite web|title=vender {{!}} SAOB|url=https://www.saob.se/artikel/?seek=Vender&pz=6|access-date=2022-10-03|language=sv-SE|archive-date=15 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515154220/https://www.saob.se/artikel/?seek=Vender&pz=6|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=göt {{!}} SAOB|url=https://www.saob.se/artikel/?unik=G_1565-0208.95cR#M_G1565_206886|access-date=2022-10-03|language=sv-SE|archive-date=15 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515154223/https://www.saob.se/artikel/?unik=G_1565-0208.95cR#M_G1565_206886|url-status=live}}</ref> to 1973 was:

{{Blockquote|
:In {{langx|sv|Med Guds Nåde Sveriges, Götes och Vendes Konung}}
:In {{langx|la|Dei Gratia Suecorum, Gothorum et Vandalorum Rex}}

Translated as "[[By the Grace of God]], King of the Swedes, [[King of the Goths|the Goths]], and [[King of the Wends|the Wends]]"<ref>{{Cite web|title="King of the Swedes, the Goths, and the Wends" – Google Search|url=https://www.google.com/search?q=%22King+of+the+Swedes,+the+Goths,+and+the+Wends%22&tbm=bks|access-date=2022-10-03|website=google.com|archive-date=17 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417220043/https://www.google.com/search?q=%22King+of+the+Swedes,+the+Goths,+and+the+Wends%22&tbm=bks|url-status=live}}</ref> or  "By the Grace of God, King of Sweden, of the Goths and [[Vandals]]".<ref>{{Cite web|title="King of Sweden, of the Goths and Vandals" – Google Search|url=https://www.google.com/search?q=%22King+of+Sweden,+of+the+Goths+and+Vandals%22&tbm=bks|access-date=2022-10-03|website=google.com|archive-date=15 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315235743/https://www.google.com/search?q=%22King%20of%20Sweden%2C%20of%20the%20Goths%20and%20Vandals%22&tbm=bks|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

During the reign of the [[House of Holstein-Gottorp (Swedish line)|House of Holstein-Gottorp]] from 1751 to 1818, the title ''Heir to Norway'' ({{lang|no|Arvinge till Norge}}) was also used,<ref name="AOS:P">See the [[preamble]] to the [[#AOS|Act of Succession]].</ref> as well as other titles connected to the [[Duke of Holstein-Gottorp|Dukes of Holstein-Gottorp]]. When, after the [[Napoleonic Wars]], Norway was in [[personal union]] with Sweden, the title included ''King of Norway'', in older Swedish spellings: {{lang|sv|Sweriges, Norriges, Göthes och Wendes Konung}}.

Upon his accession, [[Carl XVI Gustaf]] chose for his title simply {{lang|sv|Sveriges Konung}} (King of Sweden).<ref name="SFS 1973:702">{{in lang|sv}} [http://62.95.69.15/cgi-bin/thw?${HTML}=sfst_lst&${OOHTML}=sfst_dok&${SNHTML}=sfst_err&${BASE}=SFST&${TRIPSHOW}=format=THW&BET=1973:702$ SFS (1973:702)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219105931/http://62.95.69.15/cgi-bin/thw?%24%7BHTML%7D=sfst_lst&%24%7BOOHTML%7D=sfst_dok&%24%7BSNHTML%7D=sfst_err&%24%7BBASE%7D=SFST&%24%7BTRIPSHOW%7D=format%3DTHW&BET=1973%3A702%24 |date=19 February 2012 }}</ref>

===Dynasts===
The customary title of the [[heir apparent]] is [[crown prince]] (''kronprins'') or crown princess (''kronprinsessa''). The wife of a crown prince would also receive a corresponding title, but not the husband of a crown princess. The traditional official title used until 1980 for other dynastic male heirs was hereditary prince (''[[arvfurste]]''), although the word prince (''prins'') was used in constitutional legal texts such as the [[Act of Succession (1810)|Act of Succession]] and also colloquially and informally. Female dynasts are titled princess (''prinsessa'').

The Swedish Succession Act was altered in 1980 to allow for female succession to the throne.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sweden.se/society/the-swedish-monarchy/|title=The Swedish Monarchy|publisher=sweden.se|access-date=21 August 2008|archive-date=26 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626230527/https://sweden.se/society/the-swedish-monarchy/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Ducal titles===
{{Main|Duchies in Sweden}}
King [[Gustav III]] revived a tradition from the time of [[Gustav Vasa]] and the medieval era by giving male heirs to the throne [[Duchies in Sweden|ducal titles]] of [[Swedish provinces]]. The difference between the ducal titles from the Vasa era and those granted by Gustav III is they now are non-hereditary courtesy titles given at birth. Since 1980, they have been conferred to all royal heirs, male and female. The wives of royal dukes have always shared their husbands' titles; the husbands of royal duchesses have done so as of 2010.

== Symbols of the monarchy ==

=== Regalia ===
[[File:Royal crown of Sweden.jpg|thumb|left|upright|The [[Crown of Eric XIV]]]]

The [[regalia of Sweden]] are kept deep in the vaults of the {{ill|Treasury of Sweden|sv|Skattkammaren|lt=Treasury chamber}} ({{langx|sv|Skattkammaren}}), located underneath the [[Royal Palace in Stockholm]], in a museum which has been open to the public since 1970. Among the oldest objects in the collection are the sword of [[Gustav Vasa]] and the crown, orb, sceptre and key of [[King Erik XIV]]. The Regalia is state property and the government authority which holds it in trust is the [[Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency]].<ref name="History, The Treasury"/><ref name="Regal symbols"/>

The last king to have been crowned was [[Oscar II]]. His son and successor, [[Gustaf V]], abstained from having a coronation.<ref name="History, The Treasury"/> While the crowns and coronets have not been worn by Swedish royalty since 1907, they are nevertheless still displayed on royal occasions such as at weddings, [[Swedish_royal_baptisms|christenings]] and funerals. Until 1974, the crown and sceptre were also displayed on cushions beside the [[Silver Throne]] at the annual solemn opening of the [[Riksdag]] ({{langx|sv|Riksdagens högtidliga öppnande}}).<ref name="History, The Treasury">{{cite web|url=http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/royalpalaces/theroyalpalace/thetreasury/history.4.396160511584257f21800011991.html|title=History, The Treasury|publisher=[[Royal Court of Sweden]]|access-date=2014-02-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140603222521/http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/royalpalaces/theroyalpalace/thetreasury/history.4.396160511584257f21800011991.html|archive-date=3 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Regal symbols">{{cite web|url=http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/monarchy/regalsymbols.4.396160511584257f2180001975.html|title=Regal symbols|publisher=[[Royal Court of Sweden]]|access-date=2014-02-23|archive-date=3 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203211617/http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/monarchy/regalsymbols.4.396160511584257f2180001975.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/royalpalaces/theroyalpalace/thetreasury.4.396160511584257f2180002742.html|title=The Treasury|publisher=[[Royal Court of Sweden]]|access-date=2014-02-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140603173313/http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/royalpalaces/theroyalpalace/thetreasury.4.396160511584257f2180002742.html|archive-date=3 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Royal orders of chivalry ===
[[File:Sv Ordenstkn 3.jpg|thumb|upright|The Royal Orders of Sweden constituting the Royal Order of Knights]]
The Royal orders have a historical basis, dating back to the 1606 founding of the now extinct [[Jehova Order]]. The Royal Orders of Knights of Sweden were only truly codified in the 18th century, with their formal foundation in 1748 by King [[Frederick I of Sweden|Frederick I]]. In 1974 the Riksdag significantly changed the conditions and criteria under which orders and decorations could be awarded: that no Swedish citizen outside the Royal Family is eligible to receive such decorations. The [[Order of the Seraphim]] ({{langx|sv|Serafimerorden}}) is only awarded to foreign [[head of state|heads of state]] and members of the Swedish and foreign royal families, while the [[Order of the Polar Star]] ({{langx|sv|Nordstjärneorden}}) was only to be bestowed on any non-Swedish citizen.<ref>[http://www.royalcourt.se/royalcourt/monarchy/orders.4.396160511584257f2180005150.html Orders] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516115947/http://www.royalcourt.se/royalcourt/monarchy/orders.4.396160511584257f2180005150.html |date=16 May 2011 }}, [http://www.royalcourt.se/royalcourt.4.367010ad11497db6cba800054503.html Swedish Royal Court] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722063753/http://www.royalcourt.se/royalcourt.4.367010ad11497db6cba800054503.html |date=22 July 2010 }}, date accessed 2014-10-22.</ref> Following the reforms, the [[Order of the Sword]] ({{langx|sv|Svärdsorden}}) and the [[Order of Vasa]] ({{langx|sv|Vasaorden}}) were no longer conferred: officially they were declared as "dormant". In 2022 the government proposed a new reform taking effect in 2023 that once again opened the Royal Orders so that they now may be awarded to Swedish citizens again. The Order of the Seraphim however was not affected by these changes.

Between 1975 and 2023, [[H. M. The King's Medal]] ({{langx|sv|H.M. Konungens medalj}}) was the highest honour that could be awarded to Swedish citizens other than members of the [[Swedish Royal Family|Royal Family]].

=== Royal residences ===
{{Main|Crown palaces in Sweden}}

The Royal Palaces (including the [[Royal Palace in Stockholm]], [[Drottningholm Palace]], [[Haga Palace]], [[Rosendal Palace]], [[Ulriksdal Palace]], [[Rosersberg Palace]], [[Tullgarn Palace]] and [[Gripsholm Castle]]) are government property, managed by the [[National Property Board of Sweden|National Property Board]] ({{langx|sv|Statens fastighetsverk}}) and are at the disposal of the Monarch, an arrangement that has been in place since the beginning of the 19th century.<ref name="Svenska folkets slott">{{cite web|url=http://www.sfv.se/Documents/Kulturvarden/2013_03/Svenska_folkets_slott.pdf|title=Svenska folkets slott|publisher=[[Statens fastighetsverk]]|language=sv|access-date=2014-10-23|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810142752/http://www.sfv.se/Documents/Kulturvarden/2013_03/Svenska_folkets_slott.pdf|archive-date=10 August 2014}}</ref><ref name="State administration in Sweden">{{cite web|url=http://www.government.se/sb/d/15479/nocache/true/a/183485/dictionary/true|title=State administration in Sweden|publisher=[[Government of Sweden]]|access-date=2014-11-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113102346/http://www.government.se/sb/d/15479/nocache/true/a/183485/dictionary/true|archive-date=13 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> There are also residences which are held privately by the [[Swedish Royal Family|Royal Family]], such as [[Solliden Palace]] on the island of [[Öland]], a cottage in [[Storlien]] in the [[Jämtland]] and Villa Mirage in [[Sainte-Maxime]] in southern France (originally acquired by [[Prince Bertil, Duke of Halland|Prince Bertil]]).<ref name="Interests">{{cite web|url=http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/royalfamily/hmkingcarlxvigustaf/interests.4.396160511584257f2180003500.html|title=Interests|publisher=[[Royal Court of Sweden]]|access-date=2014-11-13|archive-date=5 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505204755/http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/royalfamily/hmkingcarlxvigustaf/interests.4.396160511584257f2180003500.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==== Royal Palace ====
{{Main|Stockholm Palace}}
[[File:Kunliga slottet 2 copy1.jpg|left|thumb|The [[Stockholm Palace|Royal Palace]] in Stockholm, as seen from the tower of the [[Stockholm Cathedral|Cathedral]]]]
The '''Royal Palace''' ({{lang|sv|Kungliga slottet}}), also known as '''Stockholm Palace''' ({{langx|sv|Stockholms slott}}), is the [[official residence]] of the king. The Royal Palace is located on ''[[Stadsholmen]]'' ("City Island"), commonly known as ''[[Gamla Stan]]'' ("the Old Town") in the national capital city [[Stockholm]].

The offices of the king, other members of the [[Swedish Royal Family]], and the offices of the [[Royal Court of Sweden|Royal Court]] are located in the palace. The Royal Palace is used for representative purposes and State occasions by the king.<ref name="The Royal Palace of Stockholm">{{cite web|url=http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/royalpalaces/theroyalpalace.4.396160511584257f218000138.html|title=The Royal Palace of Stockholm|publisher=[[Royal Court of Sweden]]|access-date=2014-02-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140208203439/http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/royalpalaces/theroyalpalace.4.396160511584257f218000138.html|archive-date=8 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Royal Palace is guarded by ''[[Royal Guards (Sweden)|Högvakten]]'', a [[royal guard]], consisting of regular service members of the [[Swedish Armed Forces]].<ref name="About the Royal Guards" /> The tradition of having a regular unit of the [[Swedish Army|Army]] guarding at the royal residence dates back to 1523.<ref name="About the Royal Guards" /> Until the mid-19th century, the royal guards also maintained law and order in the city and provided firefighting services.<ref name="About the Royal Guards">{{cite web|url=http://www.forsvarsmakten.se/en/about/the-royal-guards/about-the-royal-guards/|title=About the Royal Guards|publisher=[[Swedish Armed Forces]]|access-date=2014-02-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301103817/http://www.forsvarsmakten.se/en/about/the-royal-guards/about-the-royal-guards/|archive-date=1 March 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Image:Slottet Tre Kronor 1661.jpg|thumb|The castle ''[[Tre Kronor (castle)|Tre Kronor]]'', located on the site of today's palace, in a painting from 1661 by [[Govert Dircksz Camphuysen]]]]
The southern façade faces the grand style slope ''[[Slottsbacken]]'';{{clarify|slope to/from what?|date=October 2014}} the eastern façade borders ''[[Skeppsbron]]'', a quay which passes along the eastern waterfront of the old town; on the northern front ''[[Lejonbacken]]'' is a system of ramps named for the [[Medici lions]], sculptures on the stone railings; and the western wings border the open space ''[[Högvaktsterrassen]]''. The Royal Palace in Stockholm is unique among European royal residences in that large portions of it are open year-round to visitors, who pay entrance fees.<ref name="The Royal Palace of Stockholm"/>

The first building on this site was a [[fortress]] with a [[keep]] built in the 13th century by [[Birger Jarl]] to defend the entry into [[Lake Mälaren]]. The fortress gradually grew to a castle, known as ''[[Tre kronor (castle)|Tre Kronor]]'': named after the spire on the centre tower with [[Three Crowns]], which have become the Swedish national symbol.{{#tag:ref|The [[Stockholm City Hall]], built in 1927, has a similar spire with [[Three Crowns]] on its tower.|group="n"|name="n88"}} In the late 16th century, work was done to transform the castle into a [[Renaissance architecture|Renaissance]] palace during the reign of [[John III of Sweden|John III]]. In 1690, it was decided that the castle be rebuilt in [[Baroque]] style in a design by [[Nicodemus Tessin the Younger]]. In 1692, work began on the northern row. However, much of the old castle was destroyed in a disastrous fire on 7 May 1697.

Tessin rebuilt the damaged [[palace]], and work continued for another 63 years. Semicircular wings around the outer western [[courtyard]] were finished in 1734, the palace church was finished in the 1740s, and the exterior was finished in 1754. The royal family moved to the palace with the southwest, southeast, and northeast wings finished. The northwest wing was finished in 1760. In the north, ''Lejonbacken'' (the "Lion's Slope") was rebuilt from 1824 to 1830.

==== Drottningholm Palace ====
{{Main|Drottningholm Palace}}
[[File:Drottningholm Palace viewed from east 2005-08-14.jpg|left|thumb|Drottningholm Palace, a [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO World Heritage Site]], is the home residence of the King and Queen.<ref name="Drottningholm Palace">{{cite web|url=http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/royalpalaces/drottningholmpalace.4.396160511584257f218000368.html|title=Drottningholm Palace|publisher=[[Royal Court of Sweden]]|access-date=2014-02-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140208204542/http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/royalpalaces/drottningholmpalace.4.396160511584257f218000368.html|archive-date=8 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>]]
'''Drottningholm Palace''' ({{langx|sv|Drottningholms slott}}) is located at [[Drottningholm]] on the island of [[Lovön]] (in [[Ekerö Municipality]] of [[Stockholm County]]), and is one of [[Royal Palaces in Sweden|Sweden's Royal Palaces]]. It was originally built in the late 16th century. It has served as a residence of the Swedish royal family members for most of the 18th and 19th centuries. Apart from being the current private residence of the King and Queen, Drottningholm Palace is a popular tourist attraction.<ref name="Drottningholm Palace"/>

The gardens and park areas surrounding Drottningholm Palace and adjacent to its buildings are one of the main attractions for the tourists that visit the palace each year. The gardens have been established in stages since the palace was first built, resulting in many different styles.<ref name="Drottningholm Palace Park">{{cite web|url=http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/royalpalaces/drottningholmpalace/thepalacepark.4.396160511584257f2180001860.html|title=Drottningholm Palace Park|publisher=[[Royal Court of Sweden]]|access-date=2014-02-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140603222418/http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/royalpalaces/drottningholmpalace/thepalacepark.4.396160511584257f2180001860.html|archive-date=3 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The royal domain of Drottningholm is a well-preserved milieu from the 17th and 18th centuries, inspired by French buildings such as the [[Chateau of Versailles]], and is a UNESCO [[World Heritage Site]], principally because of the [[Drottningholm Palace Theatre]] and the [[Chinese Pavilion at Drottningholm]]. It was added to the [[World Heritage List]] in 1991.<ref name="The World Heritage">{{cite web|url=http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/royalpalaces/drottningholmpalace/theworldheritage.4.396160511584257f2180002024.html|title=The World Heritage|publisher=[[Royal Court of Sweden]]|access-date=2014-02-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140208203358/http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/royalpalaces/drottningholmpalace/theworldheritage.4.396160511584257f2180002024.html|archive-date=8 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==== Haga Palace ====
{{Main|Haga Palace}}
[[Image:Haga slott 2008b.jpg|thumb|Haga Palace is the residence of [[Crown Princess Victoria]] and her family.]]
'''Haga Palace''' ({{langx|sv|Haga slott}}), formerly known as the '''Queen's Pavilion''' ({{langx|sv|Drottningens paviljong}}), is located in the [[Hagaparken|Haga Park]], [[Solna Municipality]] in [[Metropolitan Stockholm]]. The palace, built between 1802{{spaced ndash}}1805, was modelled after balletmaster [[Louis Gallodier]]'s Italian villa at [[Drottningholm]] by architect [[Carl Christoffer Gjörwell]] on appointment by [[King Gustaf IV Adolf]] for the royal children. It has been the home or summer house of several members of the Swedish royal family – notably it was the birthplace of the present King [[Carl XVI Gustaf]] – until 1966 when [[King Gustaf VI Adolf]] transferred its disposal to the [[Prime Minister of Sweden|prime minister]] and it was turned into a guest house for distinguished foreign official visitors ([[heads of state]] and [[heads of government]] et cetera).<ref name="Buildings in Haga Park">{{cite web|url=http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/royalpalaces/hagapark/buildingsinhagapark.4.1a6f639212652d9b15a80005035.html|title=Buildings in Haga Park|publisher=[[Royal Court of Sweden]]|access-date=2014-02-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140603222856/http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/royalpalaces/hagapark/buildingsinhagapark.4.1a6f639212652d9b15a80005035.html|archive-date=3 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In April 2009, it was announced by Prime Minister [[Fredrik Reinfeldt]] that the rights of disposal of the palace would be transferred back to the King and thus could be used by [[Crown Princess Victoria]] and her husband, [[Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland]].<ref name="Regeringen återlämnar Haga slott">{{cite web|url=http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/11817/a/125035|title=Regeringen återlämnar Haga slott|language=sv|publisher=[[Government of Sweden]]|access-date=2014-11-13|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090426215817/http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/11817/a/125035|archive-date=26 April 2009}}</ref> They moved into the palace in the autumn after their [[Wedding of Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden, and Daniel Westling|wedding on 19 June 2010]].<ref name="Haga Palace">{{cite web|url=http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/royalfamily/hrhcrownprincessvictoria/hagapalace.4.1a6f639212652d9b15a800016931.html|title=Haga Palace|publisher=[[Royal Court of Sweden]]|access-date=2014-11-13|archive-date=8 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708124230/http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/royalfamily/hrhcrownprincessvictoria/hagapalace.4.1a6f639212652d9b15a800016931.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Royal Family ==
{{Swedish Royal Family}}
{{Main|Swedish royal family}}

The Swedish royal family is, according to the [[Royal Court of Sweden|Royal Court]], currently categorized into three groups; 
* first, those with royal titles and [[style (manner of address)]] who perform official and unofficial engagements for the nation, are the members of the Royal Family ({{langx|sv|Kungafamiljen}}) (currently this category only includes the King, Queen and their descendants, including spouses);<ref name="Möt Kungafamiljen"/>
* second, those with royal titles and style (manner of address) who perform no official engagements ({{langx|sv|Kungliga Huset}}, usually stylized with the shortform ''Kungl. Huset'');<ref name="Möt Kungafamiljen"/> 
* and third, the extended family of the King ({{langx|sv|Kungliga Familjens övriga medlemmar}}, usually stylized with the shortform ''Kungl. Familjens övriga medlemmar'') which is other close relatives who are not dynasts and thus do not represent the country officially.<ref name="Möt Kungafamiljen">{{cite web|url=http://www.kungahuset.se/kungafamiljen.4.1c3432a100d8991c5b80002606.html|title=Möt Kungafamiljen|publisher=[[Royal Court of Sweden]]|language=sv|access-date=2014-11-23|archive-date=7 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507022020/http://www.kungahuset.se/kungafamiljen.4.1c3432a100d8991c5b80002606.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

However, in any case, there is no legislation or other public document which delineates the rules of membership in either the Royal House or Royal Family, as it is left to the sole discretion of the King.

=== The line of succession ===
{{Main|Succession to the Swedish throne}}
[[File:Vasaorden 3.JPG|thumb|The royal barge ''Vasaorden'', last used at the [[Wedding of Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden, and Daniel Westling|2010 royal wedding]]]]

The [[Swedish Act of Succession|Act of Succession of 1810]] provides the rules governing the [[Line of succession to the Swedish throne|line of succession]] and designates the legitimate heirs to the Swedish Throne; it also states in [[:wikisource:Act of Succession of Sweden|article 4]] that the Monarch and dynastic members of the Royal House must at all times be a [[Protestantism|Protestant Christian]] of the ''pure evangelical faith'' (by implication the [[Church of Sweden]]).<ref name="The Act of Succession">{{cite web|url=http://www.riksdagen.se/en/How-the-Riksdag-works/Democracy/The-Constitution/The-Act-of-Succession/|title=The Act of Succession|publisher=The [[Riksdag]]|access-date=2014-10-24|archive-date=24 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024144000/http://www.riksdagen.se/en/How-the-Riksdag-works/Democracy/The-Constitution/The-Act-of-Succession/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Nergelius:42-44">[[#Nergelius|Nergelius]]: pp. 42–44.</ref>

A rewrite of the Act, entering into force in 1980, fundamentally changed the rules of succession from [[agnatic primogeniture]] to [[absolute primogeniture]].<ref name="Nergelius:42-44" /> This allowed for the crown to pass to the eldest child regardless of gender and thus [[Ex post facto law|retroactively]] installed Princess Victoria as crown princess over her younger brother, [[Prince Carl Philip]], who had been born as crown prince a few months before.

In its present reading, Article 1 of the Act of Succession limits the potential number of claimants to the throne, so that only the descendants of Carl XVI Gustaf can inherit the Throne.<ref name="Nergelius:42-44" /><ref name="AOS:1">See [[#AOS|Act of Succession, Article 1]].</ref> If the royal house were to be extinct, the [[Riksdag]] is not obligated to elect a new royal house, as it once was up until the constitutional reforms of the 1970s.<ref name="Nergelius:42" />

== See also ==
{{columns-list|colwidth=17em|
*[[Courtyard Crisis]]
*[[Eriksgata]]
*[[Guadeloupe Fund]]
*[[Kungssången]]
*[[List of heirs to the Swedish throne]]
*[[List of Royal Warrant Holders of the Swedish court]]
*[[List of Swedish consorts]]
*[[List of Swedish monarchs]]
*[[List of titles and honours of the Swedish Crown]]
*[[Livrustkammaren]]
*[[Oath of Allegiance (Sweden)]]
*[[Order of Charles XIII]]
*[[Order of the Polar Star]]
*[[Order of the Sword]]
*[[Order of Vasa]]
*[[Republicanism in Sweden]]
*[[Riddarholm Church]]
*[[Royal Court of Sweden]]
*[[Royal mottos of Swedish monarchs]]
*[[Royal Order of the Seraphim]]
*[[Stones of Mora]]
*[[Swedish order of precedence]]
*[[Swedish Royal Academies]]
*[[Swedish royal family]]
*[[Swedish Security Service]]
*[[Union between Sweden and Norway]]
}}

== Notes ==
{{reflist|group=n}}

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
{{refbegin}}
; English translations of Swedish fundamental laws and the Riksdag Act
* {{cite book|title=The Instrument of Government|publisher=The [[Riksdag]]|location=Stockholm|url=http://www.riksdagen.se/en/SysSiteAssets/07.-dokument--lagar/the-instrument-of-government-2015.pdf/|year=2012|ref=IOG|access-date=25 February 2017|archive-date=16 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316002029/http://www.riksdagen.se/en/SysSiteAssets/07.-dokument--lagar/the-instrument-of-government-2015.pdf/|url-status=live}}
* {{cite book|title=The Act of Succession|publisher=The [[Riksdag]]|location=Stockholm|url=http://www.riksdagen.se/en/SysSiteAssets/07.-dokument--lagar/the-act-of-succession-2012.pdf/|year=2012|ref=AOS|access-date=25 February 2017|archive-date=20 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020064404/http://www.riksdagen.se/en/SysSiteAssets/07.-dokument--lagar/the-act-of-succession-2012.pdf/|url-status=live}}
* {{cite book|title=The Riksdag Act|publisher=The [[Riksdag]]|location=Stockholm|url=http://www.riksdagen.se/en/SysSiteAssets/07.-dokument--lagar/the-riksdag-act-2015.pdf/|year=2014|ref=RA|access-date=25 February 2017|archive-date=20 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020064554/http://www.riksdagen.se/en/SysSiteAssets/07.-dokument--lagar/the-riksdag-act-2015.pdf/|url-status=live}}

; Bibliography
* {{cite book|last1=Larsson|first1=Torbjörn|first2=Henry|last2=Bäck|title=Governing and Governance in Sweden|location=Lund|publisher=[[Studentlitteratur]] AB|year=2008|isbn=978-91-44-03682-3|ref=Larsson & Bäck}}
* {{cite book|last=Levinovitz|first=Agneta Wallin|title=The Nobel Prize: The First 100 Years|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QMSg5mRJiukC|editor=Nils Ringertz|year=2001|publisher=[[Imperial College Press]] and [[World Scientific|World Scientific Publishing]]|isbn=981-02-4664-1|ref=Levinovitz|access-date=19 October 2020|archive-date=24 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924100744/https://books.google.com/books?id=QMSg5mRJiukC|url-status=live}}
*{{cite book|last=Lewin|first=Leif|title=Ideology and Strategy: A Century of Swedish Politics|location=Cambridge|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|year=1988|isbn=978-0521343305|ref=Lewin}}
*{{cite book|last=Nergelius|first=Joakim|title=Constitutional Law in Sweden|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vue3del4NAIC&q=Constitutional%20Law%20in%20Sweden&pg=PP1|location=Alphen aan den Rijn|publisher=[[Wolters Kluwer|Kluwer Law International BV]]|year=2011|isbn=978-9041134356|ref=Nergelius}}
*{{cite book|last=Petersson|first=Olof|title=Den offentliga makten|location=Stockholm|publisher=SNS Förlag|year=2010|language=sv|isbn=978-91-86203-66-5|ref=Petersson}}
* {{cite book|last=Roberts|first=Michael|title=Gustavus Adolphus|series=Profiles in Power|publisher=Longman|location=London|year=1992|edition=2nd|isbn=0582090008}}
*{{cite book|last=Truedson Demitz|first=Jacob|title=[[Throne of a Thousand Years]]|location=Ludvika & Los Angeles|publisher=Ristesson Ent.|year=1996|isbn=91-630-5030-7|ref=Truedson Demitz}}
*{{cite book|last=Åse|first=Cecilia|title=Monarkins makt. Nationell gemenskap i svensk demokrati|location=Stockholm|publisher=Ordfront|year=2009|language=sv|isbn=978-91-7037-416-6|ref=Åse}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Swedish monarchy}}
*[[:sv:Kronologisk lista över svenska kungligheter|Chronological list of Swedish royalty]] at [[Swedish Wikipedia]]
*[http://www.royalcourt.se/royalcourt.4.367010ad11497db6cba800054503.html The Royal Court of Sweden] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722063753/http://www.royalcourt.se/royalcourt.4.367010ad11497db6cba800054503.html |date=22 July 2010 }} – official website
*[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZPxZX-eRWxvEt2n65UstOA Kungahuset on YouTube] – official video channel on YouTube
*[http://vimeo.com/user7103699 Kungahuset on Vimeo]  – official video channel on [[Vimeo]]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20140603173313/http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/royalpalaces/theroyalpalace/thetreasury.4.396160511584257f2180002742.html Skattkammaren] – the Royal Treasury
*[http://livrustkammaren.se/en Livrustkammaren] – the Royal Armoury (Swedish museum of royal history)

{{Monarchs of Sweden}}
{{Sweden topics}}
{{Heads of state of the European Union member states}}
{{Heads of state and government of Europe}} 
{{Europe topic|prefix=Monarchy of}}
{{Monarchies}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Monarchy of Sweden}}
[[Category:Monarchy of Sweden| ]]
[[Category:Kingdom of Sweden]]