His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf (Carl Gustaf Folke Hubertus), styled HM The King (born April 30, 1946), King of Sweden, is the son of Prince Gustaf Adolf (1906-1947) and Sibylla of Saxe_Coburg_Gotha (1908-1972), and the grandson of King Gustav VI Adolf. At birth he was created Duke of Jemtia. He acceded to the throne as Swedish monarch, on September 19, 1973. King Carl XVI Gustaf married Silvia Sommerlath on June 19, 1976. She became Queen of Sweden on the same day. They have three children together: Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Madeleine. The King and Queen reside at Drottningholm Palace outside Stockholm, and use the Royal Palace of Stockholm as their workplace. After graduating from high school, Carl Gustaf completed two and a half years of education in the Army, Navy and Air Force. He completed his exam as Officer of the Deck in 1968. He has also done academic studies in history, sociology, political science, financial rights and economics at the universities of Uppsala and Stockholm. To prepare for his role as head of state, Carl Gustaf followed a broad programme of studies around the court system, social organisations_ and institutions, trade unions and employers associations. He also closely studied the work of the Parliament, Government and Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Carl Gustaf also spent time at the Swedish Mission to the United Nations and the Swedish International Development Agency, worked at a bank in London, the Swedish Embassy and the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in France, and at the company Alfa Laval's factory in France as well. The King's duties are, according to the constitution, of a representative and ceremonial nature. He pays State Visits abroad and receives those to Sweden, opens the Annual Session of the Parliament, Chairs the Special Council held at a change of Government, holds regular Information Councils with Ministers, Chairs the meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council and receives and signs credentials of foreign ambassadors to Sweden _ and signs those of Sweden to other countries. The King holds the highest rank in the three branches of the Swedish Defence. The King is very passionate about the environment, technology, agricultre and trade_ and industry. On his initiative, an international symposium on the environment is held regularly. He is the protector of the Royal Swedish Academies, and takes active part in the proceedings of a few of them. The King is an eager scout since many years, which fits well with his interest in the nature and outdoor life. He is the Honorary Chairman of the World Scout Foundation, and often participates in scout activities both in Sweden and abroad. Worldwide, Carl XVI Gustaf is probably best known as the presenter of the Nobel Prizes each year. He also hands over the Polar Music Prize. His namesday on January 28 and the birthday on April 30 are official flag days.
Children
- HRH Crown Princess Victoria, Duchess of Westrogothia (1977- )
- HRH Prince Carl Philip, Duke of Wermelandia (1979_)
- HRH Princess Madeleine, Duchess of Helsingia and Gestricia (1982_)
Prince Carl Philip was born heir apparent in 1979, however enacted constitutional reform awaiting promulgation created his older sister, Victoria, heir on January 1, 1980, according to the principles of full cognatic primogeniture.
Related topics External link - Royal Court of Sweden (http://www.royalcourt.se/) - Official site
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