#ROYAL FAMILY TREE BEFORE QUEEN VICTORIA FULL#

In 1810, King Charles XIII died leaving no heir, and the elected heir Charles August died suddenly in a military training exercise. The 1809 Instrument of Government saw the pendulum swing the other way, with primary power being awarded to parliament, and secondary power to the king. The act was adopted by Swedish Parliament ( Riksdag), though this was achieved through strong-arming and coercion, not actual approval. As kings are wont to do, he strengthened the power of the monarchy.

In 1772, King Gustav III ushered in the Gustavian era when he staged a bloodless coup ( on himself!) and reimagined the division of power between king and parliament with the 1772 Instrument of Government. It was a short-lived period 1718 – 1722, but it remains seminal to Swedish history. It was during this period, the Age of Liberty ( Frihetstiden), that the concepts of civil liberty and the parliamentary system become foundational to Swedish government. In the 18th century, Queen Ulrika Eleonara ended Sweden’s absolute monarchy when she was made to sign the 1719 Instrument of Government. So while it would be unfair to call Queen Kristina a murderer, she certainly could have offered Descartes a scarf! In February, he caught a cold and died ten days later of pneumonia. In December, Descartes began lessons with the queen in the cold, damp castle. Queen Kristina also had an infamous meeting with French philosopher René Descartes upon reading his work, she invited him to Sweden to start a scientific academy. In the proceeding centuries, Queen Kristina has become a lesbian icon, especially after her portrayal by Greta Garbo in 1933’s film Queen Christina. Kristina refused to marry, which led to such a decrease in popularity that she eventually abdicated the throne and converted to Catholicism. Queen Kristina dressed in a masculine style and had a long-term relationship with a woman, Ebba Sparre, her lady-in-waiting. Queen Kristina (also known as Christina) ruled from 1632 – 1654 she is still considered one of the most learned monarchs of Sweden and was a great patron of the arts. The 16th and 17th centuries were marked by wars, tax reformation, and the arrival of Protestantism, all of which consolidated monarchical power. In-fighting led to a slow demise of the union in the 16th century. In 1397, the Kalmar Union brought together all the Scandinavian countries (including Finland, which at that time was part of Sweden). Fighting continued between the two strongest dynasties, Sverker and Erik, until a new dynasty married into the Erik clan, strengthening the throne. Kings became more powerful as power, and Swedish land, was consolidated. During this time, kings were elected they were chosen from a number of competing dynasties. It is from the 11th century, when Christianity came to Scandinavia, that we know more about Sweden’s kings. Previous to 1000 AD, most known stories of Swedish kings are told in Norse sagas, and even after that time the recorded history is spotty. Sweden has had a monarchy since the country existed, and the Scandinavian region has had monarchies since pre-historic times.

#ROYAL FAMILY TREE BEFORE QUEEN VICTORIA FULL#

See the full Scandinavian royal family tree up close.

What religion is the Swedish royal family? Is the Swedish royal family related to the Danish royal family? Is the Swedish royal family related to the British royal family? Who is next in line for the Swedish crown? Where does the Swedish royal family live? Find out everything you need to know about the Royal Family of Sweden: → The Swedish royal family is made up of the king, queen, their three children, and seven grandchildren. As is the case with most European royal families today, they stary out of politics and confine their activities to representing Sweden both internationally and in traditional domestic events. It is, in fact, even possible that the Swedish monarchy could one day be abolished the Parliament is not obligated (as it once was) to choose a new monarch should the current royal family stop producing heirs.īut that doesn’t mean that royal abolition is around the corner in Sweden! The Swedish royal family is generally well-liked. Layman’s terms? There’s a Swedish royal family but their role is ceremonial. Is Sweden a monarchy? Not exactly: the Swedish government is parliamentary democracy, but there is a hereditary monarchy that acts in tandem with the Swedish government.

Royal family tree before queen victoria