For over 1000 years, Sweden has been considered a monarchy of some sort. This has included periods of foreign rule, periods of dual rule, even periods of female rule at a time when women did not usually ascend to the throne.<\/p>\n
Today, Sweden retains its status as a monarchy, albeit a constitutional monarchy.\u00a0 Essentially this means that the royal family is only for show.\u00a0 Governmental power lies with the Riksdag, Sweden\u2019s parliament.\u00a0 But Sweden\u2019s royal family, the Bernadottes, live on.<\/p>\n
The original Bernadotte was a French general in Napoleons army before becoming King of Sweden due to a series of events including a coup d’\u00e9tat and a later death of a childless king.\u00a0 Since 1818 the Bernadottes have presided over Sweden.\u00a0 All men.\u00a0 In 1980, the Act of Succession (Successionsordning) was changed and equal primogeniture was introduced meaning that women could inherit the throne.\u00a0 When the current king dies or abdicates the throne, Crown Princess Victoria will become the Queen of Sweden and only the fourth woman to be head of state.<\/p>\n
The discussion of whether Sweden, a country that prides itself on democracy and lives under the shadow of Jantelagen<\/a>, should have a monarchy regardless of its power is an ongoing one.\u00a0 Especially recently, due to the upcoming wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.<\/p>\n On June 19th<\/sup>, 2010, Victoria will have her wedding in Storkyrkan, just a stone\u2019s throw away from the castle.\u00a0 This has led to increased media coverage of the royal family and, in turn, an increased discussion about the merits of royalty in today\u2019s society.\u00a0 Much of the discussion focuses on the tax burden that Swedes carry to support the monarchy as well as the incompatibility of an inherited position as head of state with democratic ideals.<\/p>\n Despite the discussion though, it seems that the monarchy will most likely be around for a while.\u00a0 In a 2009 survey by DN\/Synovate<\/a> 74% of the Swedish population supported keeping the monarchy.<\/p>\n And in case you were wondering, here is a list of the Swedish kings who descend from the Bernadotte line up until the current King of Sweden, King Carl XVI Gustaf:<\/p>\n For a full list of Sweden\u2019s kings through the ages, as well as their years of rule, check out the Royal Court\u2019s website in English<\/a> and Swedish<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" For over 1000 years, Sweden has been considered a monarchy of some sort. This has included periods of foreign rule, periods of dual rule, even periods of female rule at a time when women did not usually ascend to the throne. Today, Sweden retains its status as a monarchy, albeit a constitutional monarchy.\u00a0 Essentially this…<\/p>\n\n\n
\n Karl XIV Johan:<\/td>\n 1818 – 1844<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Oskar I:<\/td>\n 1844 – 1859<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Karl XV:<\/td>\n 1859 – 1872<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Oskar II:<\/td>\n 1872 – 1907<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Gustaf V:<\/td>\n 1907 – 1950<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Gustaf VI Adolf:<\/td>\n 1950 – 1973<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Carl XVI Gustaf:<\/td>\n 1973 – Present<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n