Monarchy Of Sweden
The Kingdom of Sweden (Swedish: Konungariket Sverige) has been a monarchy since time immemorial. Originally an elective monarchy, the Throne became hereditary only in the 16th century during the reign of Gustav Vasa.
As Sweden is a representative democracy in a parliamentary system based on popular sovereignty, as defined in the current Instrument of Government, the Monarch has a purely ceremonial role, though officially he or she is explicitly designated as head of state and holds the highest state office in the country, and by courtesy the highest military and social ranks. The Monarch and the members of Swedish Royal Family undertake a variety of official, ceremonial and representational duties on behalf of the nation.
Carl XVI Gustaf has reigned as King (Swedish: Sveriges Konung) since 15 September 1973, when he succeeded his grandfather Gustaf VI Adolf. The King married German-Brazilian Silvia Sommerlath on 19 June 1976 in Stockholm Cathedral, and with whom he has three children, and at present one grandchild.
Read more about Monarchy Of Sweden: History, Head of State Duties (post 1974), The Line of Succession
Famous quotes containing the words monarchy of and/or monarchy:
“Here lies a King that ruled as he thought fit
The universal monarchy of wit;
Here lies two flamens, and both those the best,
Apollo’s first, at last the true God’s priest.”
—Thomas Carew (1589–1639)
“People think they have taken quite an extraordinarily bold step forward when they have rid themselves of belief in hereditary monarchy and swear by the democratic republic. In reality, however, the state is nothing but a machine for the oppression of one class by another, and indeed in the democratic republic no less than in the monarchy.”
—Friedrich Engels (1820–1895)