Sweden

Sweden has been a monarchy since prehistoric times. There are Roman records of who ruled Sweden during these ancient times. In the 16th Century Sweden became a hereditary monarchy when the heirs of King Gustav I were designated as heirs to the throne. Before this time Sweden ran as an elective monarchy (exactly what it means, the people or a group of people elect the monarch).

Today King Carl XVI Gustaf is the reigning monarch in Sweden. He inherited directly from his grandfather, King Gustaf VI Adolf as his father, Prince Gustaf Adolf died in a plane crash in 1947 when his son was just 9 months old.

Until 1980 the Swedish throne could only be inherited by males in the family. This law was changed to absolute primogeniture, meaning males and females have equal right to inherit the throne. By 1980 King Carl XVI Gustaf had two children, The elder Princess Victoria and the younger Crown Prince Carl Philip. Due to the new law the government retroactively created Princess Victoria, Crown Princess Victoria. Sweden is one of only three monarchies to have a female heir(ess) apparent (Spain has an heiress presumptive).

The current line of succession to the Swedish throne looks like this;

Reigning Monarch: King Carl XVI Gustaf married to Queen Silvia of Sweden

Heiress Apparent: Crown Princess Victoria married to Prince Daniel (Daughter of King)

2). Princess Estelle, Duchess of Ostergotland (Granddaughter of King)

3). Prince Oscar, Duke of Skane (Grandson of King)

4). Prince Carl Philip, Duke of Varmland married to Princess Sofia, Duchess of Varmland
 (Son of King))

5). Prince Alexander, Duke of Sodermanland (Grandson of King)

6). Prince Gabriel, Duke of Dalarna (Grandson of King)

7). Prince Julian, Duke of Halland (Grandson of King)

8). Princess Madeleine, Duchess of Halsingland & Gastrikland married to Christopher O'Neill
(Daughter of King)

9). Princess Leonore, Duchess of Gotland (Granddaughter of King)

10). Prince Nicolas, Duke of Angermanland(Grandson of King)

11). Princess Adrienne, Duchess of Blekinge (Granddaughter of King)

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