Carl XVI Gustaf (full name: Carl Gustaf Folke Hubertus, born 30 April 1946) is the King of Sweden. He ascended the throne upon the death of his grandfather, King Gustaf VI Adolf on 15 September 1973. He is the only son of Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten, and Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
The King's heir apparent, upon passage on 1 January 1980 of a new law establishing absolute primogeniture (the first such law passed in Swedish history), is Crown Princess Victoria, the eldest child of the King and his wife, Queen Silvia.
The titles and styles used by King Carl XVI Gustaf have been: 30 April 1946 – 7 June 1946: "His Royal Highness Prince Carl Gustaf of Sweden" 7 June 1946 – 29 October 1950: "His Royal Highness Prince Carl Gustaf of Sweden, Duke of Jämtland" 29 October 1950 – 15 September 1973: "His Royal Highness The Crown Prince of Sweden, Duke of Jämtland" 15 September 1973 – present: "His Majesty The King of Sweden".
King Gustaf VI Adolf was the last who used the style "By the Grace of God King of the Swedes, the Goths/Geats and the Wends" (med Guds Nåde Sveriges, Götes och Wendes Konung; Latin: Dei Gratia Suecorum, Gothorum et Vandalorum Rex). This traditional title had been in use since the establishment of the hereditary monarchy in 1544. Carl XVI Gustaf instead chose the plain and simple title "King of Sweden" (Sveriges Konung), thereby ending a centuries-old tradition. |