Sweden is one of those countries where the institution of the monarchy has been preserved. For over 40 years, King Charles XVI Gustav has been sitting on the throne. His life is worthy of detailed study, it is an example of how duty has defeated personal inclinations and interests. But even today the king is constantly pursued by paparazzi, and he periodically gives reasons for the discontent of his subjects. Carl XVI Gustav, Queen Sylvia and their children is a favorite topic for discussion among the people and the media.
Dynasty
On April 30, 1946, the heir to the royal family of Sweden, Carl XVI Gustav, was born. The Bernadotte dynasty has been on the throne of Sweden for almost 200 years. The founder of the royal family was Jean-Baptiste Jules Bernadotte. He was not of aristocratic origin at all, Jean-Baptiste was born in the family of a Gascon lawyer. But in connection with the difficult financial situation he entered the military service and made a dizzying career in the army of Napoleon. Marshal Bernadotte showed himself to be a very humane person when dealing with captured Swedes, which made him a very popular person in this country. And when in 1810 there was a monarchical crisis in the country, Charles XIII and the Council of State suggested that he become the heir to the throne, but on the only condition - the adoption of Lutheranism. In 1810 he became regent, and in 1818 he ascended the throne under the name of Charles XIV Johan. In 1844, the son of Marshal Oscar I ascended the throne. Today, Sweden is ruled by the seventh representative of the Bernadot dynasty - Carl XVI Gustav.
Childhood
Charles XVI Gustav was born the third and became the only son and youngest child in the family of Prince Gustavus Adolf, who bears the title Duke of Westerbotten. At birth, he received the name Karl Gustav Folke Hubertus, but they usually call him only the first two names. Karl Gustav's father died when the boy was only 9 months old. It was a plane crash. There was an atypical situation when the throne was passed from grandfather to grandson, bypassing a whole step of heirs. When the boy was three years old, his great-grandfather, the king of Sweden, died, and Karl Gustav officially became the crown prince. Grandfather from an early age began to prepare his grandson for ascending the throne, he understood that the child needed a special education and special skills and qualities. Therefore, it is difficult to call Karl Gustav’s childhood happy. He was constantly reminded of the mission that was assigned to him. Fortunately, his childhood was surrounded by loving women: his mother and four older sisters were engaged in his education and, of course, spoiled the boy. But his grandfather always tried to keep him strict.
Education
By tradition, the future monarch received primary education at home. He was taught palace etiquette, languages, the history of Sweden. He was then sent to a boarding school in a suburb of Stockholm. There Karl Gustav experienced certain difficulties, as he suffered from dyslexia and poorly perceived the printed text. Later he was sent to another private boarding house. From childhood, the prince was a shy and not very sociable child. To overcome these qualities, he joined the ranks of scouts. And all his life he warmly remembers that movement and is the patron of scouts in Sweden. To obtain higher education, the prince enters a university in Uppsala, where he studies sociology, political science, history, economics, and tax law. Later, he completed his education at Stockholm University, where he comprehended the foundations of the national economy.
Preparation for reign
Gustav’s grandfather personally developed a program for his preparation for ascending the throne. In order for the monarch to have a complete picture of how the state functions, his grandfather sent him to practice in all ministries and departments of the country for practical training and internships. He attended schools, factories, rural enterprises, was deeply immersed in the study of the work of the courts, social security services, and government activities. In this regard, there was not only education, but also compulsory sports. Karl Gustav studied horseback riding, yachting, water sports. He kept these hobbies for life. Since the monarch in Sweden is more of a representative figure, even at the stage of preparation for accession to the throne, Karl Gustav had an internship at the international missions of Sweden in different countries. Also, the future monarch had to serve two and a half years in the armed forces of Sweden. He served in all military branches, but he especially liked the activities of the fleet - he always loved the sea. Thus, the future king spent many years preparing for the adoption of the highest power in the country and was generally prepared for the duties awaiting him.
Coronation
In August 1973, Karl Gustav was summoned to his grandfather, who was very ill. The grandson did not leave the patient's bed for several weeks. The current monarch, a 92-year-old man, tried to convey all his experience to the future king, a 27-year-old young man. On September 15, 1973, Charles XVI Gustav informed the people from the balcony of the royal palace of the death of the monarch. On September 19, the coronation of the youngest ruler in the history of Sweden took place. In his speech, he voiced, according to tradition, his motto: “For Sweden - keep up with the times!”
King's life
In modern Sweden, the king must stay out of politics, he is even forbidden to publicly express any political bias. Carl XVI Gustav, whose biography is forever connected with the life of the country, focused his efforts on representing Sweden on the world stage. He also regularly visits all regions of the country, inspects the work of state services and departments. The list of duties of the king is quite long. He annually opens a new season for parliament, he has to receive and hand in credentials to ambassadors of foreign states. Carl XVI Gustav is the chairman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, holds the highest position in the armed forces and, in connection with this, takes parades, carries out inspection of the army. In addition, he participates in various forums, congresses, symposia, opens exhibitions and various public events. The king has an honorable duty to present the Nobel Prizes. He travels a lot around the world, representing Sweden at events of the highest level, for example, at the Olympics, international meetings in honor of memorable dates. As part of official visits, the royal couple visited Russia three times.
Social activity
The king's days are scheduled in minutes, his calendar is planned a year in advance. But he still has time for social activity. Carl XVI Gustav is the honorary chairman of the World Scout Organization, respected by him since childhood. From an early age, the king was concerned about environmental issues, and he heads the Swedish branch of the World Wildlife Fund. Karl Gustav is a member of many different committees and unions, he oversees the activities of several sports organizations in Sweden.
Private life
Carl XVI Gustav, whose photos regularly appear in the media, tries to lead a lifestyle that corresponds to the status of a symbol of the nation. He plays a lot of sports: yachting, diving, skiing, horse riding. The monarch has repeatedly participated in a 90-kilometer cross-country skiing marathon. The king struggles with dyslexia all his life and has achieved great success in this.
Wife and kids
While still a prince, Karl Gustav meets the translator Sylvia Sommerlat at the Olympic Games in Munich. A spark ran between the young people from the very first meeting. They met secretly for a while so that the royal family would not know anything. But feelings grew stronger, and in 1976 the couple got married. They were married in a Lutheran church, and the whole of Sweden watched the ceremony. The couple had children: two daughters and a son. The crowned family, consisting of King Charles XVI Gustav, Queen Sylvia and their three children, is for Sweden a symbol of stability and unity. Despite various rumors and attempts to discredit the royal couple, they fulfill their duties to the people with dignity and deserve respect.
Queen Sylvia is actively involved in social and charitable activities, she heads several large foundations of great social importance. In 1979, the country's Parliament decided that the inheritance of the royal throne will take place according to seniority, regardless of the gender of the heir. Thus, Princess Victoria became the heiress of the first stage. The family lives in Drottingsholm Castle in Stockholm. At the initiative of the royal couple, the residence became open to the public. In 2010, Princess Victoria got married and settled with her family in a suburb of the capital. In 2012, a couple was born a girl - Princess Estelle. In 2010, the son of the monarch also married, he had a son in 2016. In 2013, King Madeleine's youngest daughter also married. In this marriage, the grandson and granddaughter of the king were born.
Awards
Royal activity has been rewarded more than once. Karl Gustav is a holder of the Order of the Seraphim, sovereign of the orders of the North Star, Sword, Vasa, Karl 13, and also the owner of countless awards from foreign countries.
Nationals and King
Karl XVI Gustav, whose family constantly receives close attention of the public, causes mixed feelings among residents of Sweden. Members of the royal family have their fans and ill-wishers. There is a whole stratum of people who believe that those 10-15 million euros that the maintenance of the monarchs cost the treasury is an absolutely unreasonable expenditure of taxpayer money. But there is also a large army of Swedes who believe that the king is a symbol of stability and traditions, and the institution of the monarchy should be preserved.
Royal family scandals
Royal privacy is constantly monitored by the media and the public. The monarch says that nothing human is alien to him. And journalists have repeatedly recorded how Karl Gustav indulges in the joys of life. From his youth, he paid increased attention to ladies, and for a long time he could not get rid of this habit. In 2010, the book “Charles XVI Gustav, the reign of a monarch” was released, around which a terrible scandal erupted. This essay was an unauthorized biography of the monarch. Karl Gustav did not deny anything, he simply stated that all this was “a matter of the past.”
No less scandals were caused by the life of Princess Madeleine, who, before marriage, loved to spend time in clubs and constantly fell into binders.
