His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden – born in Haga Palace on 7 June 1946 to Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten, and Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
His father Prince Gustaf Adolf was killed in a plane crash in 1947, upon his death – the then Prince Carl Gustaf became heir to his grandfather. He succeeded to the throne of Sweden in 1973.
Early in his life, the King was involved with the Armed Forces – and as a young Prince he completed two years of service in the Swedish Royal Army, the Swedish Royal navy and Swedish Royal Air Force, and subsequently commissioned as an office in all three services in 1968.
Later, he studied for degrees in History, Sociology, Political Science and Economics at the Universities of Uppsala and Stockholm.
Spending time with the Swedish Permanent Mission to the United Nations, the King engaged in work experience to prepare for his future role as Head of State of Sweden.
As a young Prince, Carl Gustaf also worked at a bank in London, and also at the Swedish Embassy in London. Work experience also took him to the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in France.
His Majesty the King ascended to the throne of Sweden upon the death of his grandfather King Gustaf VI Adolf. He was enthroned as King of Sweden in September 1973.
Upon his accession, the King chose to drop most of the ancient titles of the Swedish King, and instead style himself as King of Sweden.
The King is the Head of State of the Kingdom of Sweden, and represents the country abroad at State Visits, and official functions abroad. He also is the Head of the Swedish Armed Forces.
One of the most famous duties as King of Sweden is presenting the Noble Prizes every year.
His Majesty is a keen automobile enthusiast, and also has interests in the environment, trade and industry. He is the Honorary Chairman of the World Scout Foundation and often takes part in Scout activities in Sweden and abroad.
The King married Silvia Sommerlath on June 1976 and have three children together: Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Madeleine.
Queen Silvia was born in Germany in December 1943. Her Majesty was educated in Düsseldorf, and in 1965 joined the Munich School of Interpreting and concentrated her efforts in Spanish. Her Majesty is a fluent speaker of German, Swedish, English, French, Spanish and Portuguese.
For several years, the Queen worked with the Olympic Committee as a hostess with the Organizing Committee for the Munich Olympic Games becoming Deputy Head of Protocol later.
As Queen Consort of Sweden, Her Majesty carries very many public engagements in support of her husband the King, and her charities and organizations.
The Queen is a member of the Lutheran Church of Sweden.
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