Carl XVI Gustaf

{{About|the king of Sweden|the weapon|Carl Gustaf 8.4 cm recoilless rifle|other Swedish royalty named Carl|Carl of Sweden (disambiguation)}}

{{Infobox royalty

| name = Carl XVI Gustaf

| image = Crafoord Prize D81 9141 (42282165922) (cropped).jpg

| caption = Carl XVI Gustaf in 2018

| succession = King of Sweden

| reign = 15 September 1973 – present

| coronation = 19 September 1973

| cor-type = Enthronement

| predecessor = Gustaf VI Adolf

| suc-type = Heir apparent

| successor = Victoria

| reg-type = {{nowrap|Prime ministers}}

| regent = {{Collapsible list|title=See list|1=Olof Palme|2=Thorbjörn Fälldin|3=Ola Ullsten|4=Ingvar Carlsson|5=Carl Bildt|6=Göran Persson|7=Fredrik Reinfeldt|8=Stefan Löfven|9=Magdalena Andersson|10=Ulf Kristersson}}

| spouse = {{marriage|Silvia Sommerlath|19 June 1976}}

| issue = {{plainlist|

}}

| house = Bernadotte

| full name = Carl Gustaf Folke Hubertus

| father = Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten

| mother = Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

| signature = Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden Signature.svg

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1946|04|30|df=y}}

| birth_place = Haga Palace, Solna, Sweden

| death_date =

| death_place =

| religion = Church of Sweden

| module = {{Infobox person | embed=yes

| education = {{plainlist|

Uppsala University{{Cite web | url = https://www.kungahuset.se/english/royal-house/hm-the-king | title = HM The King |publisher=Royal Court of Sweden | access-date = 26 October 2024 | quote = In 1968, The Crown Prince began a special academic education programme including courses in history, sociology, political science, financial law and economics at Uppsala University. He also studied courses in national economics at Stockholm University.}}
Stockholm University}}

}}

Carl XVI Gustaf (Carl Gustaf Folke Hubertus; born 30 April 1946) is King of Sweden. Having reigned since 1973, he is the longest-reigning monarch in Swedish history.

Carl Gustaf was born during the reign of his paternal great-grandfather, King Gustaf V, as the youngest child and only son of Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten, and Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. His father died in an airplane crash in Denmark in January 1947, when Carl Gustaf was nine months old. Carl Gustaf became crown prince and heir apparent to the Swedish throne at the age of four when his grandfather Gustaf VI Adolf acceded to the throne in 1950.

Carl Gustaf acceded to the throne upon his grandfather's death on 15 September 1973. Shortly after he became king, the new 1974 Instrument of Government took effect, formally stripping the monarchy of its remaining executive powers. As a result, Carl Gustaf no longer performs many of the duties normally accorded to a head of state in parliamentary regimes, such as the formal appointment of the prime minister, signing legislation into law, and being commander-in-chief of the nation's military. The new instrument explicitly limited the king to ceremonial and representative functions, while he retained the right to be regularly informed of affairs of state. As head of the House of Bernadotte, Carl Gustaf has also been able to make a number of decisions about the titles and positions of its members.

In June 1976, Carl Gustaf married Silvia Sommerlath. They have three children: Victoria, Carl Philip, and Madeleine. The king's heir apparent, after passage on 1 January 1980 of a new law establishing absolute primogeniture,[https://sweden.se/society/the-swedish-monarchy/ Article] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626230527/https://sweden.se/society/the-swedish-monarchy/ |date=26 June 2019 }} by the Swedish Institute 15 June 2018 is his eldest child, Crown Princess Victoria. Victoria's younger brother, Carl Philip, was briefly the heir apparent from his birth in May 1979 until the adoption of said law.

Early life

Carl Gustaf was born on 30 April 1946 at 10:20{{cite book |editor-first=Erik |editor-last=Rudberg |title=Svenska dagbladets årsbok 1946 |year=1947 |publisher=Svenska Dagbladet |location=Stockholm |language=sv |id={{LIBRIS|283647}} |page=43}} in Haga Palace in Solna, Stockholm County. He was the youngest of five children and the only son of Sweden's Prince Gustaf Adolf and Princess Sibylla. He was christened at the Royal Chapel on 7 June 1946 by the Archbishop of Uppsala, Erling Eidem.{{cite book |last1=Lundgren |first1=R. |last2=Larsson |first2=A. |last3=Jaeger |first3=A. |last4=Engman |first4=A. |last5=Malmberg |first5=A. |last6=Fotoreportage |first6=S. |last7=Bild |first7=A. |title=Sibylla: En biografi |publisher=Albert Bonniers Förlag |year=2017 |isbn=978-91-0-017023-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dRg4DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA22-IA52 |language=sv |access-date=17 June 2020 |page=22-IA52 |archive-date=17 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417082507/https://books.google.com/books?id=dRg4DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA22-IA52 |url-status=live }}

File:Gustaf Adolf & Sibylla.jpg

Carl Gustaf was baptised in Charles XI's baptismal font, which stood on Gustav III's carpet; he lay in Charles XI's cradle with Oscar II's crown beside him.{{cite book |editor-last=Olsson |editor-first=Nils |first=Harald |last=Schiller |title=Händelser man minns: en krönika i ord och bild 1920–1969 |year=1970 |publisher=Samverkande bokförlags försäljningsorganisation |location=Stockholm |language=sv |id={{LIBRIS|569745}} |page=1946/5}} The christening gown in white linen batiste that the prince wore had been worn by his father in 1906 and would later be worn by his three children.{{cite book |title=Anno. [19]82 |year=1983 |publisher=Corona |location=Malmö |language=sv |isbn=91-85556-16-5 |id={{LIBRIS|3759331}} |page=39}} His godparents were the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Denmark (his paternal uncle and aunt), the Crown Prince of Norway, Princess Juliana of the Netherlands, the King of Sweden (his paternal great-grandfather), the Hereditary Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (his maternal uncle), the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Sweden (his paternal grandfather and step-grandmother), and Count Folke and Countess Maria Bernadotte of Wisborg.{{cite web |url=http://www.kungahuset.se/specialwebbsidor/jubileumswebbsidor/hmkonungen60ar/kungenslivi60ar.4.124d504108b48b219780005192.html |publisher=Royal Court of Sweden |title=Kungens liv i 60 år |trans-title=King's life for 60 years |access-date=9 July 2020 |language=sv |archive-date=10 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810211823/http://www.kungahuset.se/specialwebbsidor/jubileumswebbsidor/hmkonungen60ar/kungenslivi60ar.4.124d504108b48b219780005192.html |url-status=dead }}

Prince Carl Gustaf was also given the title of the Duke of Jämtland. His father, Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten, was killed in an airplane crash on 26 January 1947 at Copenhagen Airport. His father's death had left the nine-month-old prince second in line for the throne, behind his grandfather, then Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf. When his paternal great-grandfather, Gustaf V died in 1950, the four-year-old prince became the heir apparent of Sweden.

Carl Gustaf was seven years old before he was told about his father's death. He expressed his feelings about growing up without knowing his father in a speech in 2005.{{Cite news |last=Orange |first=Richard |date=29 October 2011 |title=King Carl XVI Gustaf: profile |journal=Daily Telegraph |language=en-GB |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/sweden/8856490/King-Carl-XVI-Gustaf-profile.html |access-date=22 May 2020 |issn=0307-1235|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111030051003/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/sweden/8856490/King-Carl-XVI-Gustaf-profile.html |archive-date=30 October 2011 }}

Youth and education

File:Vasa Carl Gustaf 1961.jpg in 1961.]]

Carl Gustaf's earliest education was received privately at the Royal Palace. He was then sent to {{interlanguage link|Broms school|sv|Broms skola}}, and then on to Sigtuna boarding school. After graduating from high school in 1966, Carl Gustaf completed two-and-a-half years of education in the Swedish Army, the Royal Swedish Navy, and the Swedish Air Force. During the winter 1966–1967, he took part in a round-the-world voyage with the mine-laying vessel Älvsnabben. The Crown Prince received his commission as an officer in all three services in 1968, eventually rising to the rank of captain (in the army and air force) and lieutenant (in the navy), before his accession to the throne. He also completed his academic studies in history, sociology, political science, tax law, and economics at Uppsala University and later economics at Stockholm University.{{cite web |title=Biography – Sveriges Kungahus |url=https://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/royalfamily/hmkingcarlxvigustaf/biography.4.396160511584257f2180006110.html |publisher=Royal Court of Sweden |access-date=15 December 2018 |archive-date=6 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506085124/https://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/royalfamily/hmkingcarlxvigustaf/biography.4.396160511584257f2180006110.html |url-status=dead }}

To prepare for his role as the head of state, Crown Prince Carl Gustaf followed a broad program of studies on the court system, social organisations and institutions, trade unions, and employers' associations. In addition, he closely studied the affairs of the Riksdag, Government, and Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The Crown Prince also spent time at the Swedish Mission to the United Nations and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), worked at a bank in London and at the Swedish Embassy there, at the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in France, and at the Alfa Laval Company factory in France. In 1970, he represented the King at the head of the Swedish delegation to the World Exposition in Osaka, Japan. Since his youth the present monarch has been a strong supporter of the Scout Movement in Sweden.{{cite web |title=10 facts about King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden |url=https://ca.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2014043018510/king-carl-gustaf-sweden-10-facts/ |website=HOLA |date=30 April 2014 |access-date=10 June 2019 |archive-date=2 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402195815/https://ca.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2014043018510/king-carl-gustaf-sweden-10-facts/ |url-status=live }}

Carl Gustaf has dyslexia, as do his daughter Crown Princess Victoria and his son Prince Carl Philip.{{cite news |newspaper=Expressen |date=18 September 1997 |page=109 |title=Toinis metod hjälpte Carl Philip |trans-title=Toini's method helped Carl Philip |quote=En dyslektiker kan lära sig att läsa och skriva efter bara 50 timmars träning. Det säger nu Toini Prim, en av Sveriges ledande dyslexiexperter. Prim har tidigare bland annat hjälpt till att behandla prins Carl Philip. |trans-quote=A dyslexic can learn to read and write after just 50 hours of training, says Toini Prim, one of Sweden's leading dyslexia experts. Prim has previously helped treat Prince Carl Philip, among others. |language=sv}}{{cite news |newspaper=Dagens Nyheters bilaga |date=16 May 2010 |page=25 |title=Med Drottningholmsom lekplats |trans-title=With Drottningholm as a playground |quote=Rätt snart upptäcktes att Victoria hade ärvt faderns dyslexi och hon kämpade hårt för att hålla jämna steg med klasskamraterna. |trans-quote=It was soon discovered that Victoria had inherited her father's dyslexia and she struggled to keep up with her classmates. |language=sv}}

Reign

File:Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden & Stig Stefanson 1975.jpg in 1975]]

On 15 September 1973, Carl Gustaf became King of Sweden upon the death of his grandfather, Gustaf VI Adolf. On 19 September, he took the required regal assurance ({{Langx|sv|Konungaförsäkran}}) during an extraordinary meeting of the cabinet. Afterwards, he appeared before the parliament, diplomatic corps, court, etc. in the Hall of State at the Royal Palace where he was enthroned on the Silver Throne and gave a speech. Both the cabinet meeting and ceremony at the Hall were broadcast live on television. Following the ceremonies, he appeared on the balcony to acknowledge gathered crowds. At the cabinet meeting, the King declared that his regnal name would be Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden. He adopted "For Sweden – With the times" as his personal motto{{cite web |url=http://www.royalcourt.se/royalcourt/theroyalfamily/hmkingcarlxvigustaf.4.396160511584257f218000644.html |publisher=Royal Court of Sweden |title=The Royal Family: H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf |access-date=16 August 2012 |archive-date=21 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021022235/http://www.royalcourt.se/royalcourt/theroyalfamily/hmkingcarlxvigustaf.4.396160511584257f218000644.html |url-status=dead }} (För Sverige – i tiden).{{cite web |url=http://www.royalcourt.se/kungafamiljen/hmkonungcarlxvigustaf.4.7c4768101a4e8883780003.html |publisher=Royal Court of Sweden |title=Kungafamiljen: H.M. Konung Carl XVI Gustaf |trans-title=Kungafamiljen: H.M. Konung Carl XVI Gustaf |language=sv |access-date=19 August 2012 |archive-date=7 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607221509/http://www.royalcourt.se/kungafamiljen/hmkonungcarlxvigustaf.4.7c4768101a4e8883780003.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/09/20/archives/new-king-begins-reign-in-sweden-final-election-tally-shows-deadlock.html |title=New King Begins Reign in Sweden |first=Lawrence K. |last=Altman |newspaper=The New York Times |date=20 September 1973 |access-date=29 May 2018 |archive-date=24 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024035601/https://www.nytimes.com/1973/09/20/archives/new-king-begins-reign-in-sweden-final-election-tally-shows-deadlock.html |url-status=live }}

File:Kungafamiljen & prinsessan Estelle den 30 april 2012..JPG

He is the foremost representative of Sweden and pays state visits abroad and receives those to Sweden, he opens the annual session of the Riksdag, chairs the Special Council held during a change of Government ({{langx|sv|skifteskonselj}}), holds regular Information Councils with the Prime Minister and the Cabinet ({{langx|sv|informationskonselj}}), chairs the meetings of the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs ({{langx|sv|Utrikesnämnden}}), and receives Letters of Credence of foreign ambassadors to Sweden and signs those of Sweden to foreign nations. As a figurehead, he also voluntarily abstains from voting in Swedish elections.{{cite web |url=http://www.royalcourt.se/monarkinhovstaterna/densvenskamonarkin/monarkinisverige/monarkensuppgifter.4.7c4768101a4e888378000291.html |publisher=Royal Court of Sweden |title=Monarkens uppgifter |trans-title=Duties of the monarch |language=sv |access-date=19 August 2012 |archive-date=13 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060513070731/http://www.royalcourt.se/monarkinhovstaterna/densvenskamonarkin/monarkinisverige/monarkensuppgifter.4.7c4768101a4e888378000291.html |url-status=dead }}

King Carl Gustaf holds the highest ranks in the three branches of the Swedish Armed Forces; this is due to the fact that he was, as stipulated by § 14 of the 1809 Instrument of Government in effect at the time of his accession to the throne in 1973, the Commander-in-Chief ({{langx|sv|Högste Befälhavare}}; not to be confused with the military professional holding the position of Supreme Commander) and therefore he was promoted ex officio from his earlier ranks of captain (Army & Air Force) and lieutenant (Navy), to general and admiral. Under the provisions of the Instrument of Government of 1974, which became effective on 1 January 1975, the King no longer holds this constitutionally-mandated position, but he kept his ranks à la suite since he no longer has any military command authority, except over His Majesty's Military Staff.

Worldwide, Carl XVI Gustaf is probably best known as the presenter of the Nobel Prizes each year; the first Nobel laureate who received the prize from his hands was Leo Esaki.江崎玲於奈『限界への挑戦―私の履歴書』（日本経済新聞出版社）2007年 He also hands over the Polar Music Prize. The King holds honorary doctoral degrees from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, the Stockholm School of Economics and from the Åbo Akademi University in Finland.

Carl Gustaf has made a number of controversial statements considered political. In his critique of Norwegian prime minister Gro Harlem Brundtland and her seal hunting policy, he questioned whether someone who could not take care of the seal problem really could take care of the Norwegian people.[http://www.svtplay.se/klipp/91868/uttalande-om-norsk-saljakt-uppror ”Uttalande om norsk säljakt upprör”] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004222429/http://www.svtplay.se/klipp/91868/uttalande-om-norsk-saljakt-uppror |date=4 October 2013 }} SVT:s öppna arkiv In 2004, after a state visit to Brunei, he praised Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and described Brunei as an "open country", despite its controversial human rights history.{{cite web |url=https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/365873 |title=Kungen får skarp kritik för uttalanden om Brunei |publisher=Sveriges Radio |date=9 February 2004 }} In 2023 Carl Gustaf said that while he understands that Brunei has a non-democratic form of government it is still an open country.{{cite web |url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/kungen-star-fast-vid-bruneiuttalande-det-blev-ett-totalt-missforstand |title=Kungen står fast vid Bruneiuttalande: "Blev ett totalt missförstånd" |work=SVT Nyheter |date=3 January 2023 |last1=Wikén |first1=Erik }} Both statements made public support for the monarchy reach the lowest numbers in many years. Public trust increased, however, after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, in which many Swedes died. Then-prime minister Göran Persson then failed to carry out his constitutional obligation to inform the king on matters of state which resulted in criticism of the government. During a memorial ceremony held at Stockholm City Hall on 10 January 2005 the king gave a highly praised speech which restored support of the monarchy.{{cite web |url=https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/6053137 |title=Kungen minns sorgen efter tsunamin |publisher=Sveriges Radio |date=22 December 2014 |last1=Tanaka/Tt |first1=Sofia }}{{cite web |url=https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/536214 |title=Kungen för sent informerad om katastrofen |publisher=Sveriges Radio |date=10 January 2005 }}

Carl Gustaf has claimed to have played an important part in solving a diplomatic crisis with Saudi Arabia in 2015. This crisis began when foreign minister Margot Wallström criticized Saudi Arabia's form of government and human rights situation. Saudi Arabia responded by recalling its ambassador to Sweden and ending a military co-operation agreement between the two nations. The Swedish government then reportedly asked for the king's help in solving the crisis. He then wrote a letter to the Saudi Arabian king and shortly thereafter diplomatic relations went back to normal.{{Cite web |date=28 April 2016 |title=Sveriges kung hjälper regeringen i svåra situationer |url=https://yle.fi/a/7-1067236 |access-date=5 September 2024 |publisher=Yle |language=sv}} Carl Gustaf's role in solving the crisis, and his statement regarding said role during which he claimed to have "good relations" with the Saudi king have both received criticism.{{Cite news |last=Bengtsson |first=Ninna |date=28 April 2016 |title=Kungen kritiseras: "Märkligt uttalande om Saudi" |trans-title=The King is criticized: "Strange statement about Saudi" |url=https://www.svd.se/a/ng135/kungen-kritiseras-markligt-uttalande-om-saudi |access-date=5 September 2024 |newspaper=Svenska Dagbladet |language=sv |issn=1101-2412}}{{Cite news |last= |date=20 October 2016 |title=Wallströms kritik mot Saudiarabien |url=https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/6544463 |access-date=5 September 2024 |publisher=Sveriges Radio |language=sv}}

On 26 April 2018, Carl Gustaf became the longest-reigning Swedish monarch when he surpassed Magnus Eriksson's reign of 44 years and 222 days.{{cite news |date=26 April 2018 |title=King Carl XVI Gustaf now Sweden's longest-reigning monarch |url=https://www.thelocal.se/20180426/king-carl-xvi-gustaf-now-swedens-longest-reigning-monarch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623170023/https://www.thelocal.se/20180426/king-carl-xvi-gustaf-now-swedens-longest-reigning-monarch |archive-date=23 June 2018 |access-date=29 May 2018 |newspaper=The Local Sweden}}

In March 2022, the King condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine during a visit to the Life Regiment Hussars to present a new standard to the regiment. He stated that Europe was in an extremely difficult situation and accused Russia of violating international law and creating a humanitarian catastrophe.{{cite web |url=https://www.kungahuset.se/arkiv/nyheter/2022-03-07-kungen-uttalade-sig-angaende-den-ryska-federationens-invasion-av-ukraina|title=Kungen uttalade sig angående den Ryska federationens invasion av Ukraina |trans-title=The King made a statement regarding the Russian Federation's invasion of Ukraine |publisher=Royal Court of Sweden |date=7 March 2022 }}{{cite news|url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/wOLzA4/kungen-laget-i-europa-mycket-allvarligt|title=Kungen: Läget i Europa mycket allvarligt |trans-title=The King: The situation in Europe is very serious |newspaper=Aftonbladet|date=7 March 2022}}

The King's Golden Jubilee was celebrated in 2023. The celebrations included tours of all of Sweden's 21 counties, a jubilee banquet at the Royal Palace and a carriage procession through the streets of Stockholm. Leading up to that year and including it, beginning already in 2018, some of the most serious criticism ever published took place about Carl Gustaf and the way his monarchy has developed.[https://www.svtplay.se/video/ebmEDGY/uppdrag-granskning/kungens-bostader Uppdrag granskning - kungens bostäder] SVT 16 May 2023{{interlanguage link|Thomas Lyrevik|sv}} in Den kungliga kleptokratin makt, manipulation, berikning 670 p. {{ISBN|9789188383419}}Ulf Bergström, Staffan Nyberg & Tony Karlsson in Monarkins verkliga kostnader 2020 80 p. LIBRIS #fsqjvf15c1qs0flz[http://libris.kb.se/bib/wdkf054nttmr3ccj Book] Chefen by Thomas Sjöberg 2023 Support for the monarchy overall remained strong in the Swedish public, however, in large part due to the popularity of Crown Princess Victoria.{{cite web|url=https://www.tv4.se/artikel/2XXu9ofMRmMBm3rHQyf9J4/nya-siffror-kungen-sitter-saekert-hoegsta-stoedet-pa-oever-20-ar |title=Nya siffror: Högsta stödet för kungahuset – på över 20 år |date=21 January 2024 }}

Following the abdication of his cousin, Margrethe II of Denmark, Carl Gustaf became the longest-serving incumbent head of state in Europe and the longest-reigning sovereign in the world.{{Cite news |date=2024-01-14 |title=Queen Margrethe: Will abdication cause a ripple effect? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67944716 |access-date=2025-02-19 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} His reign saw Sweden end over 200 years of neutrality by joining NATO on 18 March 2024. During a ceremony held outside the Riksdag building, Carl Gustaf described the move to join the alliance as a new era in Swedish security policy and reaffirmed Sweden's wish for peace.{{cite web |date=18 March 2024 |title=Kungen om Natointrädet: Nu skrivs ett nytt stycke svensk historia |trans-title=The King on NATO entry: A new chapter in Swedish history is now being written |url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/kungen-om-natointradet-nu-skrivs-ett-nytt-stycke-svensk-historia |publisher=Sveriges Television |work=SVT Nyheter}}{{cite news |date=18 March 2024 |title=Kungen om Nato: Sverige hotar ingen |trans-title=The King on NATO: Sweden threatens no one |url=https://www.gp.se/nyheter/sverige/kungen-om-nato-sverige-hotar-ingen.13920cca-3d8d-5052-89c5-758d80ca2dd5 |newspaper=Göteborgs-Posten}}

At the 2025 Society and Defence National Conference in Sälen the King addressed Sweden's security situation. He said that whilst Sweden was not at war it could no longer consider itself at peace, echoing a sentiment voiced by prime minister Ulf Kristersson. The King also highlighted the need societal preparedness and stated that he believed the public's willingness to defend the realm had grown in recent years.{{cite news|url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/OoqvGq/kungen-vi-ska-vara-observanta|title=Kungen: Vi ska vara observanta |trans-title=The King: We should be observant |newspaper=Aftonbladet|date=13 January 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://www.svd.se/a/eMX9Gy/kungen-forsvarsviljan-har-okat|title=Kungen: Försvarsviljan har ökat |trans-title=The King: The will to defend has increased |newspaper=Svenska Dagbladet|date=13 January 2025}}

Personal interests and views

File:Royal Monogram of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.svg

The king is passionate about the environment, technology, agriculture, trade, and industry. Like many members of the Swedish royal family, he has a keen interest in automobiles. He owns several Porsche 911s, a car model which is said to be a particular favourite of his, as well as a vintage Volvo PV444, a Ferrari 456M GT, an AC Cobra and other cars.{{cite news |url=http://expressen.se/index.jsp?a=573067 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20171020065014/https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/for-sverige---i-bilen/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 October 2017 |title=För Sverige – i bilen |newspaper=Expressen |last=Enqvist |first=Victoria |language=sv |date=26 April 2006 |access-date=19 August 2012}} The first pictures taken of him and his future wife were of them sitting in his Porsche 911. In the summer of 2005 he was involved in a traffic accident in Norrköping. The accident was described as a "fender bender", with no serious personal injuries claimed. Nevertheless, the incident caused national headlines.{{cite news |url=http://www.thelocal.se/article.php?ID=1958&date=20050825 |title=Swedish king crashes car |newspaper=The Local |date=25 August 2005 |access-date=19 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003184412/http://www.thelocal.se/article.php?ID=1958&date=20050825 |archive-date=3 October 2012}} The king and queen of Sweden frequently travel to the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, including in 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2024.{{cite web |url=http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/latestnews/2014/2014/thekingandqueenvisitthewinterolympicgamesinsochi.5.38464237143e351339ac46.html |title=The King and Queen visit the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi |publisher=Royal Court of Sweden |access-date=24 February 2018 |archive-date=26 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126205910/https://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/latestnews/2014/2014/thekingandqueenvisitthewinterolympicgamesinsochi.5.38464237143e351339ac46.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/king-demon-huge-swedish-biathlon-win-145658257--spt.html |title=The king, the demon and a Swedish Olympic biathlon win |author=Steve Reed |publisher=The Associated Press |date=23 February 2018 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web |url=https://www.kungahuset.se/arkiv/nyheter/2024-08-06-kungaparet-vid-os-i-paris |title=Kungaparet vid OS i Paris |publisher=Royal Court of Sweden |access-date=26 August 2024| date=6 August 2024}}

In 2016, the king intervened in the raging debate surrounding the proposed Nobel Center at Blasieholmen in central Stockholm, near the Nationalmuseum and old town, by stating that he thought the proposed structure was “too big and in the wrong place” and that it “could be relocated”.{{Cite news |last=Runblom |first=Karin |date=2 June 2016 |title=Kritik mot kungens utspel om Nobel Center |trans-title=Criticism of the King's statement about the Nobel Center |url=https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/6445252 |access-date=5 September 2024 |publisher=Sveriges Radio |language=sv}} Following the 2018 election, the City of Stockholm abandoned the original proposal opting instead for creating new plans near Slussen.{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=7 February 2020 |title=Stadsgårdskajen vid Slussen blir plats för Nobel center |trans-title=Stadsgårdskajen at Slussen will be the location for the Nobel Center |url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/stockholm/ny-plats-for-nobelcenter-presenteras |access-date=5 September 2024 |work=SVT Nyheter |language=sv}}{{Cite news |date=7 February 2020 |title=Nytt försök att bygga Nobelcenter |trans-title=New attempt to build Nobel Center |url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/jd76xw/nytt-forsok-att-bygga-nobelcenter |access-date=5 September 2024 |newspaper=Aftonbladet |language=sv}}

In December 2020, the king said Sweden's approach to dealing with COVID-19 had failed. Prime Minister Stefan Löfven said that "the fact that so many have died can't be considered as anything other than a failure".{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-55347021 |title=Coronavirus: Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf says coronavirus approach 'has failed' |work=BBC News |date=17 December 2020 |access-date=15 March 2022 |archive-date=26 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626074656/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-55347021 |url-status=live }}

In 2023, the Nobel Foundation announced that they intended to invite ambassadors from Russia, Belarus and Iran to attend that year's Nobel Prize awards ceremony. This sparked mass criticism and the royal court issued a statement saying the king was still deciding on whether or not to attend the ceremony, as has been tradition since it was first held. Many leaders of political parties also threatened to boycott the ceremony.{{Cite news |last= |date=2 September 2023 |title=Kungen har inte bestämt sig om Nobel |trans-title=The King has not decided on the Nobel Prize |url=https://www.di.se/nyheter/kungen-har-inte-bestamt-sig-om-nobel/ |access-date=5 September 2024 |newspaper=Dagens Industri |language=sv}}{{Cite news |last=Bolmgren |first=Filip |date=2 September 2023 |title=Kungen "inte bestämt sig om han ska gå på Nobel" |trans-title=The King "has not decided whether he will go for the Nobel Prize" |url=https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/hovet-kungen-inte-bestamt-sig-om-han-ska-ga-pa-nobel/ |access-date=5 September 2024 |newspaper=Expressen |language=sv}} Eventually the Foundation backed down on its decision.{{Cite news |last=Nyman |first=Jenny |date=2 September 2023 |title=Nobelstiftelsen backar: "Det finns självkritik" |trans-title=The Nobel Foundation backs down: "There is self-criticism" |url=https://www.svd.se/a/mQ452l/nobelstiftelsen-backar-bjuder-inte-in-ryssland-iran-och-belarus |access-date=5 September 2024 |newspaper=Svenska Dagbladet |language=sv |issn=1101-2412}}

= Scouting =

The King is the honorary chairman of the World Scout Foundation, and often participates in Scout activities both in Sweden and abroad. He regularly visits World Scout Jamborees, for instance the 1979 Dalajamb World Jamboree International Encampment hosted by Sweden, the 2002 World Jamboree held in Sattahip, Thailand, and the 100th Anniversary of World Scouting 2007 World Jamboree held in Hylands Park, England.{{cite web |url=http://www.scout.org/en/information_events/events/world_events/world_jamboree/21st_world_scout_jamboree__2/jamboree_news/the_king_of_sweden_at_the_jamboree |title=The King of Sweden at the Jamboree |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090519083240/http://www.scout.org/en/information_events/events/world_events/world_jamboree/21st_world_scout_jamboree__2/jamboree_news/the_king_of_sweden_at_the_jamboree |archive-date=19 May 2009}} He also attended the 1981 National Scout Jamboree in Virginia, United States, and was awarded the Bronze Wolf, the only distinction of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, awarded by the World Scout Committee for exceptional services to world Scouting, in 1982. He also attended the 22nd World Scout Jamboree. He gave a speech on 6 August 2011 at the closing ceremony with more than 40,000 people watching. The band Europe also performed for him singing "The Final Countdown". King Carl Gustaf made an appearance at the 2013 Boy Scouts of America National Jamboree in West Virginia.{{cite news |title=Jambopalooza, summit hikes – 'experience of a lifetime' |first=Collin |last=Wilkes |url=http://www.heraldsun.com/news/x533459065/Jambopalooza-summit-hikes-experience-of-a-lifetime |newspaper=The Herald-Sun |publisher=Paxton Media Group |location=Durham, North Carolina |date=22 July 2013 |access-date=24 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406201602/http://www.heraldsun.com/news/x533459065/Jambopalooza-summit-hikes-experience-of-a-lifetime |archive-date=6 April 2015}}

Use of remaining power

File:Sveriges Nationaldag 2013-4.jpg (left) in 1982, whereas her husband in 2013 declined to become a Swedish citizen, prince, and duke, and is called Herr Christopher O'Neill in Sweden]]

So empowered as head of the House of Bernadotte,{{cite book |last1=Bramstång |first1=Gunnar |title=Tronrätt, bördstitel och hustillhörighet |date=1990 |publisher=Juristförlaget i Lund |isbn=91-544-2081-4 |language=sv}} King Carl Gustaf, since he was enthroned in 1973, has made a number of personal decisions regarding the titles and positions of relatives and family members, including the demotion of a sister, elevation of several commoners to royalty, rebuff of an elderly uncle's wishes and the creation of new Swedish titles and duchies.

1974: his sister Christina married a non-royal Swedish man and Carl Gustaf followed the example which his grandfather and predecessor had set for two of Christina's older sisters with like marriages, so Christina was removed from the Royal House, no longer a Royal Highness and was given the courtesy title Princess Christina, Mrs. Magnuson (a special non-royal, non-noble style first invented in 1953 by King Haakon VII of Norway for his granddaughter Ragnhild).
1976: his own choice, taking advantage of his constitutional prerogative as king when he married a non-royal German-Brazilian woman, saw her created Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden.
1976: his paternal uncle Bertil (later that year) married the non-royal British woman who had lived with Bertil for decades, and (with Bertil's titles) Carl Gustaf created her a Royal Highness Princess of Sweden and Duchess of Halland.
1977: his daughter Victoria was born, and in 1980, Carl Gustaf created her Duchess of Västergötland (which has had duchesses before).
1979: his son Carl Philip was born, and Carl Gustaf created him Duke of Värmland (which has had dukes before).
1982: his daughter Madeleine was born, and Carl Gustaf created a new duchy for her as Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland.
1983: his paternal uncle Sigvard, since 1934 no longer Prince of Sweden because of a non-royal marriage to a German woman, supported by legal experts[http://wwwc.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/0105/14/kung.html Article] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020064118/http://wwwc.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/0105/14/kung.html |date=20 October 2017 }} by Petter Ovander in Aftonbladet 14 May 2001 quoting three attorneys announced his own title as Prince Sigvard Bernadotte, 18 years later clearly citing a great-uncle Prince Oscar Bernadotte's title as his main precedent;[https://www.svd.se/lang-kamp-for-prinstitel-forgaves Article] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020063817/https://www.svd.se/lang-kamp-for-prinstitel-forgaves |date=20 October 2017 }} by Anita Bergmark in Svenska Dagbladet 2 May 2002 however, Sigvard died in 2002 with Carl Gustaf never having responded to his uncle's statement, and with the Royal Court of Sweden consistently refusing to honor it.
2003: his paternal grandfather's first cousin Carl died, and Carl Gustaf formally recognized his Belgian title by allowing Prince Carl Bernadotte on the gravestone at the Royal Cemetery which is owned by the king; in 2014 he did the same there, allowing Carl's widow's name as Princess Kristine Bernadotte when she died.
2010: his daughter Victoria married a non-royal Swede whom Carl Gustaf created a Royal Highness Prince of Sweden and (with her title) Duke of Västergötland.
2012: his granddaughter Estelle was born and created Duchess of Östergötland (which has had duchesses before).
2013: his daughter Madeleine married a non-royal British American who declined Swedish citizenship, and Carl Gustaf gave him the special courtesy title of Herr (with a capital h).
2014: his granddaughter Leonore was born and created Duchess of Gotland (which also previously has been a duchy).
2015: his son Carl Philip married a non-royal Swede whom Carl Gustaf created a Royal Highness Princess of Sweden and (with the son's title) Duchess of Värmland.
2015: his grandson Nicolas was born, and Carl Gustaf created a new duchy for him as Duke of Ångermanland.
2016: his grandson Oscar was born and created Duke of Scania (which has had dukes before).
2016: his grandson Alexander was born (later that year) and created Duke of Södermanland (which has had dukes before).
2017: his grandson Gabriel was born and created Duke of Dalarna (which has had dukes before).
2018: his granddaughter Adrienne was born, and Carl Gustaf created a new duchy for her as Duchess of Blekinge.
2019: Carl Gustaf issued a statement rescinding the royal status of his grandchildren Leonore, Nicolas, Alexander, Gabriel and Adrienne in an effort to more strictly associate Swedish royalty to the office of the head of state; the five are still to be styled as princes/princesses and dukes/duchesses of their provinces, and they remain in the line of succession to the throne.[https://www.kungahuset.se/kungafamiljen/aktuellahandelser/aktuellt/forandringarinomdetkunglhuset.5.18cc416116d61fe304a869f.html Swedish communiqué] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506230127/https://www.kungahuset.se/kungafamiljen/aktuellahandelser/aktuellt/forandringarinomdetkunglhuset.5.18cc416116d61fe304a869f.html |date=6 May 2021 }} of king's decree 7 October 2019{{cite web |url=https://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/media/pressreleases/pressreleases/communiqueonchangestotheroyalhouse.5.18cc416116d61fe304a87b6.html |title=Communiqué on changes to The Royal House – Sveriges Kungahus |publisher=Royal Court of Sweden |access-date=8 October 2019 |archive-date=29 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129080934/https://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/media/pressreleases/pressreleases/communiqueonchangestotheroyalhouse.5.18cc416116d61fe304a87b6.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=https://www.euronews.com/2019/10/07/sweden-s-king-removes-royal-titles-from-five-of-his-grandchildren |title=Sweden's king removes five of his grandchildren from royal house |date=7 October 2019 |website=euronews |language=en |access-date=8 October 2019 |archive-date=1 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801070209/https://www.euronews.com/2019/10/07/sweden-s-king-removes-royal-titles-from-five-of-his-grandchildren |url-status=live }}
2021: his grandson Julian was born and created Duke of Halland (which has had dukes before) with the same standing of 2019 as his elder brothers.
2025: his granddaughter Ines was born and created Duchess of Västerbotten with the same standing of 2019 as her elder brothers.

Marriage and family

File:King and Queen of Sweden.jpg

The King married Silvia Sommerlath, whose father was German and whose mother was Brazilian, and who had grown up in both countries. They met at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, where she was an interpreter and host. The wedding was held on 19 June 1976, at Stockholm Cathedral, the ceremony performed by the Archbishop of Uppsala, Olof Sundby.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/06/20/archives/swedish-monarch-marries-german-as-150000-turn-out.html |title=Swedish Monarch Marries German as 150,000 Turn Out |last=Kilborn |first=Peter |date=20 June 1976 |work=The New York Times |access-date=26 April 2017 |page=3 |archive-date=14 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314105040/https://www.nytimes.com/1976/06/20/archives/swedish-monarch-marries-german-as-150000-turn-out.html |url-status=live }} The wedding was preceded the previous evening by a Royal Variety Performance, at which, among other performances, the Swedish musical group ABBA gave one of the first performances of "Dancing Queen", as a tribute to Sweden's future queen.{{cite web |title=IN FOCUS: DANCING QUEEN |url=https://abbasite.com/articles/dancing-queen/ |website=www.abbasite.com |date=13 June 2012 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803034346/https://abbasite.com/articles/dancing-queen/ |url-status=live }} The King and his family moved to Drottningholm Palace west of Stockholm in 1980. He and the Queen have maintained their business offices at the Royal Palace of Stockholm.

King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia have three children and nine grandchildren:

Crown Princess Victoria, Duchess of Västergötland (born 14 July 1977), who is married to Daniel Westling and has two children
Prince Carl Philip, Duke of Värmland (born 13 May 1979), who is married to Sofia Hellqvist and has four children
Princess Madeleine, Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland (born 10 June 1982), who is married to Christopher O'Neill and has three children

Prince Carl Philip was born the heir apparent. However, a constitutional reform, which was already under way at the time of his birth, made his elder sister, Victoria, the heir apparent and Crown Princess of Sweden on 1 January 1980, according to the principles of absolute primogeniture, which Sweden was the first recognised monarchy to adopt.SOU 1977:5 Kvinnlig tronföljd, p.16. King Carl Gustaf objected after the reform, not to the succession by females but to the fact that his son lost the position and title which he had had since birth.{{cite news |url=http://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/article10414639.ab |title=Kungen: Grundlagen är lustig |trans-title=The King: The Constitution is funny |last=Peterson |first=Claes |newspaper=Aftonbladet |date=24 November 2003 |access-date=19 August 2012 |archive-date=29 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029041230/http://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/article10414639.ab |url-status=live }}

Health

In February 2023, Carl Gustaf underwent "a surgical intervention with catheter technology in the heart area."{{cite web|url=https://people.com/royals/king-carl-xvi-gustaf-sweden-health-update-following-heart-surgery/|title=Sweden's Royal Palace Releases Health Update on King Carl XVI Gustaf, 76, Following His Heart Surgery|work=People|first=Janine|last=Henni|date=20 February 2023|accessdate=25 February 2023|archive-date=26 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226034515/https://people.com/royals/king-carl-xvi-gustaf-sweden-health-update-following-heart-surgery/|url-status=live}}

Titles, styles, honours and arms

Carl XVI Gustaf ended the centuries-old traditional style "King of Sweden, the Goths and the Wends", instead choosing the simpler "King of Sweden" (Sveriges Konung).{{cite journal |title=Nordisk kontakt |trans-title=Nordic Contact |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vxQdAAAAIAAJ |language=sv |journal=Nordisk Kontakt |year=1973 |volume= |issue=5–16 |page=809 |access-date=13 May 2021 |quote=Den nye kungen avgav vid konselj den 19 september den ålderdomliga kungaförsäkran och meddelade att hans namn och titel skulle vara Carl XVI Gustaf, Sveriges konung ( alltså inte som tidigare Sveriges, Götes och Vendes konung) }}

= Regnal name =

There have not been sixteen kings of Sweden named Carl/Charles. The numeral stems from an erroneous genealogy that includes fictitious kings, created by 16th-century writer Johannes Magnus.{{cite book |url=https://runeberg.org/nfbm/0500.html |editor-last=Westrin |editor-first=Theodor |editor-link=Theodor Westrin |title=Nordisk familjebok: konversationslexikon och realencyklopedi |edition=Ny, rev. och rikt ill. |year=1910 |publisher=Nordisk familjeboks förl. |location=Stockholm |language=sv |id={{LIBRIS|8072220}} |page=943f |access-date=27 October 2008 |archive-date=30 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130120522/http://runeberg.org/nfbm/0500.html |url-status=live }}

= Arms =

On his creation as Duke of Jämtland, Carl XVI Gustaf was granted an achievement of arms which featured the arms of Jämtland in base (these arms can be seen on his stallplate as knight of the Danish Order of the Elephant at Frederiksborg Palace). Since his accession to the throne, he has used the greater coat of arms of Sweden although he is still associated with the ducal title of Jämtland he held as a prince.

class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"

| Arms of Carl Gustaf as Duke of Jämtland from 1950 to his accession

| Arms of Carl XVI Gustaf used since his accession to the throne.

= Distinctions =

{{See also|List of honours of the Swedish Royal Family by country}}

== National ==

{{flag|Sweden}}: Recipient of the 90th Birthday Medal of King Gustaf V{{cite magazine|author=Leif Påhlsson|title=Svenska utmärkelsetecken|magazine=Svensk Numismatisk Tidskrift|year=1988|pages=250–251|language=sv}}
{{flag|Sweden}}: Recipient of the 85th Birthday Medal of King Gustaf VI Adolf
{{flag|Sweden}}: Recipient of the Wedding Medal of Crown Princess Victoria to Daniel Westling{{cite web|title=Kronprinsessans och Herr Daniel Westlings bröllopsminnesmedalj|url=http://www.ne.se/kronprinsessans-och-herr-daniel-westlings-br%C3%B6llopsminnesmedalj|work=Nationalencyklopedin|access-date=19 June 2013|language=sv|archive-date=12 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512223826/http://www.ne.se/kronprinsessans-och-herr-daniel-westlings-br%C3%B6llopsminnesmedalj|url-status=live}}

== Foreign ==

{{flag|Argentina}}: Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the Liberator General San Martín (1998){{cite web |url=http://www.kungahuset.se/kungen40/monarkinisverige/kungensordnar.106.4ea495e313c19c119aa242d.html |publisher=Royal Court of Sweden |title=Kungens ordensinnehav |trans-title=The King's orders and decorations |access-date=30 January 2017 |language=sv |archive-date=14 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314172155/http://www.kungahuset.se/kungen40/monarkinisverige/kungensordnar.106.4ea495e313c19c119aa242d.html |url-status=dead }}
{{flag|Austria}}: Grand Star of the Order of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria, Special Class (1967){{cite web |url=http://www.parlament.gv.at/PAKT/VHG/XXIV/AB/AB_10542/imfname_251156.pdf |title=Reply to a parliamentary question |language=de |page=457 |access-date=16 October 2012 |archive-date=14 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414063518/https://www.parlament.gv.at/PAKT/VHG/XXIV/AB/AB_10542/imfname_251156.pdf |url-status=live }}
{{flag|Belgium}}: Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold (1977)
{{flag|Brazil}}: Grand Collar of the Order of the Southern Cross (2007)
{{flag|Brunei}}: Recipient of the Royal Family Order of the Crown of Brunei (2004)
{{flag|Bulgaria}}: Sash of the Order of Stara Planina
{{flag|Chile}}: Collar of the Order of Merit
{{flag|Croatia}}: Grand Cross of the Grand Order of King Tomislav (2013){{cite web |url=https://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/latestnews/2019/2019/thekingholdsformalaudiencesfornewambassadors.5.7ce04b63167c576df6c11483.html |title=The King holds formal audiences for new ambassadors |publisher=Royal Court of Sweden |access-date=18 May 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803010453/https://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/latestnews/2019/2019/thekingholdsformalaudiencesfornewambassadors.5.7ce04b63167c576df6c11483.html |url-status=live }}
{{flag|Denmark}}:
Knight with Collar of the Order of the Elephant (12 January 1965){{cite web |url=https://www.kongehuset.dk/monarkiet-i-danmark/ordener-og-medaljer/modtagere-af-danske-dekorationer/#oversigt-over-modtagere-af-danske-dekorationer |publisher=Royal Household of Denmark |title=Oversigt over modtagere af danske dekorationer |trans-title=Overview of recipients of Danish decorations |access-date=18 February 2022 |language=da |archive-date=18 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518072341/https://www.kongehuset.dk/monarkiet-i-danmark/ordener-og-medaljer/modtagere-af-danske-dekorationer/#oversigt-over-modtagere-af-danske-dekorationer |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.borger.dk/foa/Sider/Default.aspx?fk=26&foaid=10196277&paid= |title=Persondetaljer Hans Majestæt Carl XVI Gustaf |website=www.borger.dk |language=da |access-date=19 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120529065130/https://www.borger.dk/foa/Sider/default.aspx?fk=26&foaid=10196277&paid= |archive-date=29 May 2012}}
Grand Commander of the Order of the Dannebrog (1975)
{{flag|Egypt}}: Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the Nile
{{flag|Estonia}}:
Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana (1995){{cite web |url=http://www.president.ee/en/estonia/decorations/bearers.php?id=12 |title=Estonian State Decorations, Carl XVI Gustaf |publisher=Website of the President of Estonia |language=et |access-date=19 August 2012 |archive-date=16 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016101223/http://www.president.ee/en/estonia/decorations/bearers.php?id=12 |url-status=live }}
Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the White Star (2011){{cite web |url=http://www.president.ee/en/estonia/decorations/bearers.php?id=18078 |title=Estonian State Decorations, Carl XVI Gustaf |publisher=Website of the President of Estonia |language=et |access-date=19 August 2012 |archive-date=16 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016184531/http://www.president.ee/en/estonia/decorations/bearers.php?id=18078 |url-status=live }}
{{flag|Finland}}: Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the White Rose (1974)
{{flag|France}}: Grand Cross of the Order of the Legion of Honour{{cite web |last1=Rosén |first1=Staffan |title=Kungaparets franska ordnar |trans-title=The King and Queen's French orders |url=https://www.kungahuset.se/specialwebbsidor/temasidor/statsbesokfrankrike/kungafamiljenochfrankrike/kungaparetsfranskaordnar.4.3e708146148cb83ad7e2d72.html |publisher=Royal Court of Sweden |access-date=18 May 2020 |language=sv |archive-date=31 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131065455/https://www.kungahuset.se/specialwebbsidor/temasidor/statsbesokfrankrike/kungafamiljenochfrankrike/kungaparetsfranskaordnar.4.3e708146148cb83ad7e2d72.html |url-status=dead }}
{{flag|Germany}}:
Grand Cross Special Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
{{Flagicon|Saxe-Coburg-Gotha}} Ducal Family of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha: Knight Grand Cross of the Ducal Royal Saxe-Ernestine Saxe-Coburg and Gotha House Order
{{flag|Greece}}: Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer
{{flag|Holy See}}: Knight with the Collar of the Order of Pope Pius IX
{{flag|Hungary}}: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary
{{flag|Iceland}}: Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the Falcon{{cite web |url=http://falkadb.forseti.is/orduskra/fal03.php?term=Carl%2C+Gustaf&sub=Leita |title=Order of the Falcon, search form |language=is |access-date=19 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528222053/http://falkadb.forseti.is/orduskra/fal03.php?term=Carl%2C+Gustaf&sub=Leita |archive-date=28 May 2013}}
{{flag|Indonesia}}: Star of the Republic of Indonesia, 1st Class (2017){{cite news|url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/05/22/jokowi-bestows-highest-medal-to-swedish-king.html |newspaper=The Jakarta Post |title=Jokowi bestows highest medal to Swedish king|date=22 May 2017|access-date=19 June 2017|archive-date=21 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180521204723/http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/05/22/jokowi-bestows-highest-medal-to-swedish-king.html|url-status=live}}
{{flag|Italy}}: Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (1991){{cite web |publisher=Italian Presidency website |url=http://www.quirinale.it/elementi/DettaglioOnorificenze.aspx?decorato=10695 |title=S.M. Carl XVI Gustaf il Re di Svezia – Decorato di Gran Cordone, Cavaliere di Gran Croce Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana |language=it |access-date=19 August 2012 |archive-date=28 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928013636/http://www.quirinale.it/elementi/DettaglioOnorificenze.aspx?decorato=10695 |url-status=live }}
{{flag|Japan}}: Collar of the Order of the Chrysanthemum
{{flag|Jordan}}: Grand Cordon with Collar of the Order of al-Hussein bin Ali
{{flag|Latvia}}:
Grand Cross with Chain of the Order of the Three Stars (1995)
Grand Cross of the Order of Viesturs{{cite web |url=https://www.vestnesis.lv/ |title=Par Viestura ordeņa piešķiršanu – Latvijas Vēstnesis |website=www.vestnesis.lv|access-date=24 June 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190411083056/https://www.vestnesis.lv/op/2014/61.18/|archive-date= 11 April 2019|date= 24 March 2014}}
{{flag|Lithuania}}: Grand Cross with Golden Chain of the Order of Vytautas the Great (1995)
{{flag|Luxembourg}}: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau
{{flag|Malaysia}}: Honorary Recipient of the Order of the Crown of the Realm (1996)
{{flag|Mexico}}: Collar of the Order of the Aztec Eagle (2004)
{{flag|Netherlands}}:
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the House of Orange
Commander of the Order of the Golden Ark
{{flag|Norway}}: Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of St. Olav (1974)
{{flag|Poland}}: Knight of the Order of the White Eagle
{{flag|Portugal}}:
Grand Collar of the Order of Saint James of the Sword
Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Prince Henry (1987){{cite web |work=Ordens Honoríficas Portuguesas |trans-work=Portuguese Honorary Orders |title=Orders search form: to view results, type "REI Carlos XVI" in "nome", then click "Pesquisar" |url=http://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/?idc=154&list=1 |language=pt |access-date=16 October 2012 |archive-date=3 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130303144739/http://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/?idc=154 |url-status=live }}
{{flag|Romania}}: Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the Star of Romania (2003){{cite web |url=http://canord.presidency.ro/Ord.St.Rom..xls |title=Recipients of Order of the Star of Romania |format=ms xls |access-date=19 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328054109/http://canord.presidency.ro/Ord.St.Rom..xls |archive-date=28 March 2014 |url-status=dead}}
{{flag|Saudi Arabia}}: Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Abdulaziz al Saud
{{flag|Slovakia}}: First Class of the Order of the White Double Cross{{cite web |publisher=Slovak Republic Website |url=http://www.slovak-republic.org/symbols/honours/ |title=State honours: 1st Class received in 2002 (click on "Holders of the Order of the 1st Class White Double Cross" to see the holders' table) |access-date=19 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413004835/http://www.slovak-republic.org/symbols/honours/ |archive-date=13 April 2016}}
{{flag|Slovenia}}: Recipient of the Decoration for Exceptional Merits
{{flag|South Africa}}: Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Good Hope (1997){{cite web |url=http://www.info.gov.za/aboutgovt/orders/recipients/1997.htm |title=1997 National Orders awards |access-date=19 August 2012 |archive-date=15 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015131848/http://www.info.gov.za/aboutgovt/orders/recipients/1997.htm |url-status=live }}
{{flag|South Korea}}: Recipient of the Grand Order of Mugunghwa (2012)
{{flag|Spain}}:
1,183rd Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece (1983){{cite web |url=http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/1983/04/20/pdfs/A10953-10953.pdf |title=Boletín Oficial del Estado |access-date=27 November 2016 |archive-date=16 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116145126/https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/1983/04/20/pdfs/A10953-10953.pdf |url-status=live }}
Knight of the Collar of the Royal and Distinguished Spanish Order of Charles III{{cite web |url=http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/1979/11/09/pdfs/A26058-26058.pdf |title=Boletín Oficial del Estado |access-date=27 November 2016 |archive-date=3 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003150241/http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/1979/11/09/pdfs/A26058-26058.pdf |url-status=live }}
{{flag|Thailand}}:
Knight of the Order of the Rajamitrabhorn (2003)ราชกิจจานุเบกษา, [http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/00122102.PDF ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์แด่สมเด็จพระราชาธิบดีคาร์ลที่ ๑๖ กุสตาฟ และสมเด็จพระราชินีซิลเวียแห่งราชอาณาจักรสวีเดน] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304033415/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/00122102.PDF |date=4 March 2016 }}, เล่ม 120, ตอน 4 ข, 7 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2546, หน้า 1
Knight of the Order of Ramkeerati (2008){{cite journal|journal=ราชกิจจานุเบกษา|volume=เล่ม 126|issue=ตอน 5 ข|pages=หน้า 1|title=ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์อันเป็นสิริยิ่งรามกีรติ ลูกเสือสดุดีชั้นพิเศษ และเหรียญลุกเสือสดุดี ประจำปี ๒๕๕๑|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2552/B/005/1.PDF|date=18 March 2009|accessdate=27 July 2019|language=th|archive-date=25 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125002837/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2552/B/005/1.PDF|url-status=dead}}
{{flag|Tunisia}}: Grand Cordon of the Order of the Republic{{Cite web|url=http://www.kungahuset.se/kungafamiljen/aktuellahandelser/aktuellt/statsbesokfrantunisiendag1.5.6c3e0b0f150a889bfed3f4.html|title=Articolo |publisher=Royal Court of Sweden |access-date=5 November 2015|archive-date=2 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402203319/http://www.kungahuset.se/kungafamiljen/aktuellahandelser/aktuellt/statsbesokfrantunisiendag1.5.6c3e0b0f150a889bfed3f4.html|url-status=dead}}
{{flag|Turkey}}: Collar of the Order of the State of Republic of Turkey (2013){{cite web |title=Sweden {{sic|nolink=y|reason=error in source|Exlusive}} |url=http://www.abdullahgul.gen.tr/pages/visits/isvec-visits/ |publisher=abdullahgul.gen.tr |access-date=19 December 2020 |archive-date=26 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126051416/http://www.abdullahgul.gen.tr/pages/visits/isvec-visits/ |url-status=live }}
{{flag|Ukraine}}:
Member of the Order of Liberty (2008)
Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise
Grand Officer of the Order of Merit, 1st Class
{{flag|United Kingdom}}:
Stranger Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter (1983){{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-06-17 |title=Who Is in the Order of the Garter? |url=https://www.aol.com/order-garter-093000557.html#:~:text=King%20Carl%20XVI%20Gustaf%20of%20Sweden&text=The%20King%20of%20Sweden%20joined,the%20Queen%20Mother,%20in%201985. |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=www.aol.com |language=en-US |quote="The King of Sweden joined in 1983 as a Stranger Knight. In this photo, he walks in the Garter Day procession alongside Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, in 1985."}}{{Cite web |title=List of the Knights of the Garter (1348-present) |url=https://www.heraldica.org/topics/orders/garterlist.htm |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=www.heraldica.org}}
Recipient of the Royal Victorian Chain (8 July 1975){{Cite newspaper The Times |title=COURT CIRCULAR |date=9 July 1975 |page=16 |issue=59443 |column=a}}
{{flag|Yugoslavia}}: Order of the Yugoslav Great Star (1976){{Cite web |title=HM The King |url=https://www.kungahuset.se/english/royal-house/hm-the-king |access-date=11 October 2024 |publisher=Royal Court of Sweden |language=en}}

= Awards =

== Foreign ==

United Nations Peace Medal (1976)
World Organization of the Scout Movement: Bronze Wolf Award (1982){{cite web |url=https://www.scout.org/BronzeWolfAward/List |title=List of recipients of the Bronze Wolf Award |publisher=WOSM |website=scout.org |access-date=1 May 2019 |archive-date=29 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129053624/https://www.scout.org/BronzeWolfAward/List |url-status=dead }}
{{flag|Japan}}: Golden Pheasant Award of the Scout Association of Japan (1980){{Cite web |date=23 May 2014|script-title=ja:䝪䞊䜲䝇䜹䜴䝖日本連盟きじ章受章者 |trans-title=Recipient of the Golden Pheasant Award of the Scout Association of Japan |url=http://reinanzaka-sc.o.oo7.jp/kiroku/documents/20140523-3-kiji-list.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811030258/http://reinanzaka-sc.o.oo7.jp/kiroku/documents/20140523-3-kiji-list.pdf |archive-date=11 August 2020 |website=Reinanzaka Scout Club| language=ja}}
{{flag|Philippines}}: Mount Makiling Award{{cite web |url=http://lbtimes.ph/2011/2014/01/28/bsp-honors-swedens-king-with-prestigious-mt-makiling-award/ |newspaper=Los Baños Times |title=BSP honors Sweden's king with prestigious Mt. Makiling Award |date=28 January 2014 |access-date=27 November 2016 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304093642/http://lbtimes.ph/2011/2014/01/28/bsp-honors-swedens-king-with-prestigious-mt-makiling-award/ |url-status=live }}

= Honorary military positions =

{{Flagicon|UK}} Honorary Admiral, British Royal Navy (seniority: 25 June 1975){{London Gazette |issue=46627 |date=7 July 1975 |page=8697 |supp=y}}

Patronages

{{columns-list|colwidth=30em

| 1=* African Medical and Research Foundation Sweden (AMREF)

Allmänna Idrottsklubben (AIK)
Barnens Dags Riksförbund
Swedish Central Association for Sports Promotion (Centralföreningen för Idrottens Främjande i Sverige)
Djurgårdens Hembygdsförening
Friends of the Nationalmuseum
Friends of the Swedish Museum of Natural History
Swedish Outdoor Association (Friluftsfrämjandet)
Society of the Friends of the Swedish Institute at Athens (Föreningen Svenska Atheninstitutets Vänner)
Föreningen Konstnärernas Vänner
Swedes Worldwide (Föreningen för Svenskar i Världen)
Gastronomic Academy (Gastronomiska Akademien)
Global Child Forum
Gripsholmsföreningen
Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna (IFK)
Kulturen i Lund
Royal Automobile Club
Kungliga Motorbåt Klubben
Royal Swedish Aero Club
Royal Swedish Yacht Club
Swedish Cancer Society (Riksföreningen mot Cancer)
Royal Physiographic Society in Lund
Royal Society of Sciences and Letters in Gothenburg
Royal Society of Sciences in Uppsala
Royal Swedish Academy
Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry
Royal Swedish Academy of Arts
Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences
Royal Swedish Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities
Royal Swedish Academy of Music
Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, and its annual King Carl XVI Gustaf Professorship in Environmental Science
Royal Swedish Society of Naval Sciences (first honorary member, 1968{{cite journal |url=https://www.koms.se/content/uploads/2013/06/TiS-nr-4-1996.pdf |journal=Tidskrift I Sjöväsendet |title=Matrikel 1996 för Kungl. Örlogsmannasällskapet |year=1996 |number=4 |location=Carlskrona |language=sv |id={{LIBRIS|8258455}} |page=313 |access-date=29 May 2019 |archive-date=29 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529211154/https://www.koms.se/content/uploads/2013/06/TiS-nr-4-1996.pdf |url-status=live }})
Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences
Save the Visby Ringwall Campaign
The Natural Step Foundation
Association of Friends of the Drottningholm Court Theatre (Stiftelsen Drottningholmsteaterns Vänner)
Keep Sweden Tidy Foundation (Stiftelsen Håll Sverige Rent)
Stockholm Water Foundation
Stiftelsen Svenska Flaggan
Stiftelsen Svensk Våtmarksfond
Stockholms Konserthusstiftelse
Stockholm Academic Male Chorus
Svea Orden
Swedish Archaeological Association (Svenska Arkeologiska Samfundet)
Swedish Women's Auxiliary Veterinary Corps (Svenska Blå Stjärnan)
Swedish Society for the Protection of Animals (Svenska Djurskyddsföreningen)
Swedish Association for Hunting and Wildlife Management (Svenska Jägareförbundet)
Swedish Kennel Club (Svenska Kennelklubben)
Educational Swedish Swimming Association (Svenska Livräddningssällskapet – Simfrämjandet)
Svenska Motionsdagen (Korpen Svenska Motionsidrottsförbundet)
Association of Friends of the Swedish Institute in Rome (Svenska Rominstitutets Vänner)
Swedish Tourist Association
The Guides and Scouts of Sweden
Swedish Society for Anthropology and Geography
Sweden–America Foundation
Swedish General Art Society (Sveriges Allmänna Konstförening)
Sveriges Hembygdsförbund
Swedish Forestry Association (Sveriges Skogsvårdsförbund)
Swedish Bible Society
Swedish Colonial Society
Swedish Lions
Swedish Red Cross
Swedish Rotary
Swedish Sports Confederation
Sångsällskapet Orphei Drängar
The Natural Step
The American-Scandinavian Foundation
Wilhelm Peterson-Berger Society
World Scout Foundation
World Wide Fund for Nature Sweden (WWF)
Friends of the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities (Östasiatiska Museets Vänner)

}}

Ancestry

{{ahnentafel

| collapsed=yes |align=center | ref=Eilers, Marlene. Queen Victoria's Descendants. Rosvall Royal Books, Falkoping, Sweden, 1997. pp. 153–154, 157–158, 160–162. {{ISBN|91-630-5964-9}}

| boxstyle_1=background-color: #fcc;

| boxstyle_2=background-color: #fb9;

| boxstyle_3=background-color: #ffc;

| boxstyle_4=background-color: #bfc;

| 1= 1. Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden

| 2= 2. Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten

| 3= 3. Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

| 4= 4. Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden

| 5= 5. Princess Margaret of Connaught

| 6= 6. Charles Edward, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

| 7= 7. Princess Victoria Adelaide of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg

| 8= 8. Gustaf V of Sweden

| 9= 9. Princess Victoria of Baden

| 10= 10. Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn

| 11= 11. Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia

| 12= 12. Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany

| 13= 13. Princess Helen of Waldeck and Pyrmont

| 14= 14. Friedrich Ferdinand, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein

| 15= 15. Princess Caroline Mathilde of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg

}}

References

= Explanatory footnotes =

References

{{Cite book |title=Ordenskalender |publisher=Sekreterareämbetet vid Kungl |year=1959 |location=Sweden |language=sv |trans-title=Order Calendar |oclc=64237341}}