Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden Biography
(Monarch of Sweden (Since 1973))
Birthday: April 30, 1946 (Taurus)
Born In: Solna, Sweden
Carl Gustaf Folke Hubertus of the Royal House of Bernadotte or Carl XVI Gustaf is the current King of Sweden. He is the son of Prince Gustaf Adolf and grandson of King Gustaf VI Adolf. After losing his father in a plane crash when he was only nine months old, he was named as the second in line, after his grandfather, to his great-grandfather’s throne. In 1950, his grandfather became the king and he was named as the heir to the throne. He was groomed for his future responsibilities since childhood. He was taught history, sociology, political science, tax law, and economics at Uppsala University and Stockholm University. He also served in all three branches of the Swedish military, rising to the rank of captain in the army and air force and lieutenant in the navy. He was part of the Swedish Mission to the United Nations and Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). Later, he worked at the Swedish Embassy. At the age of 27, he ascended to the throne following the death of his grandfather. The new 1974 Instrument of Government was implemented a year later, formally reducing most of his legislative and military power and rendering the king to be the ceremonial head of the state. He has a keen interest in environment, technology, agriculture, trade, and industry. As the honorary president of the World Scout Foundation, he often participates in various scout activities.