Today
In Sweden today, Duke (hertig) is considered a royal title, and is only given to members of the Royal House (currently Bernadotte). Such modern duchies have always been named for the historical provinces of Sweden, which are no longer governmental entities. Currently, there are five such duchies one of which includes two of the provinces:
- TRH The Duchess and Duke of West Gothland (Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel)
- HRH The Duchess of Östergötland (Princess Estelle)
- HRH The Duke of Värmland (Prince Carl Philip)
- HRH The Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland (Princess Madeleine)
- HRH The Duchess of Halland (Princess Lilian), widow of Prince Bertil.
The titles are given for life, though they are not used by monarchs after accession to the throne; thus the titles have not been conferred on women who became Swedish queens by marrying kings, such as the current Queen Silvia. Unlike British duchies, for example, they are not hereditary. Wives of dukes are also created duchesses, a policy that now also applies to the husband of a duchess, following the 2010 marriage of Crown Princess Victoria to Prince Daniel.
Read more about this topic: Duchies In Sweden
Famous quotes containing the word today:
“Whoever today speaks of human existence in terms of power, efficiency, and “historical tasks” ... is an actual or potential assassin.”
—Albert Camus (1913–1960)
“... today we round out the first century of a professed republic,—with woman figuratively representing freedom—and yet all free, save woman.”
—Phoebe W. Couzins (1845–1913)
“We have today and I could call their name
Who know exactly what is out of joint
To make their verse and their excuses lame.
They’ve tried to grasp with too much social fact
Too large a situation.”
—Robert Frost (1874–1963)