Monarchy of Sweden

King of Sweden
Sveriges konung
Coat of arms of Sweden
Incumbent

Carl XVI Gustaf since 15 September 1973
Details
Style	His Majesty
Heir apparent	Crown Princess Victoria
First monarch	Eric the Victorious (first monarch of undisputed historicity)
Formation	Unknown (various theories exist)
Residence	Drottningholm Palace
Website	The Royal Court of Sweden

Swedish Royal Family

HM The King HM The Queen HRH The Crown Princess HRH Prince Daniel HRH Princess Estelle HRH Prince Oscar HRH Prince Carl Philip HRH Princess Sofia HRH Prince Alexander HRH Princess Madeleine HRH Princess Leonore HRH Prince Nicolas HRH Princess Birgitta Extended royal family Princess Margaretha, Mrs. Ambler Princess Désirée, Baroness Silfverschiöld Princess Christina, Mrs. Magnuson Marianne Princess Bernadotte, Countess of Wisborg

The Monarchy of Sweden concerns the monarchical head of state of Sweden, which is a constitutional and hereditary monarchy with a parliamentary system. The Kingdom of Sweden (Swedish: Konungariket Sverige) has been a monarchy since time immemorial. Originally an elective monarchy, it became an hereditary monarchy in the 16th century during the reign of Gustav Vasa, though virtually all monarchs before that belonged to a limited and small amount of families which are considered the royal dynasties of Sweden.

Sweden in the present day is a representative democracy in a parliamentary system based on popular sovereignty, as defined in the current Instrument of Government (one of the four Fundamental Laws of the Realm which makes up the written constitution). The monarch and the members of the Royal Family undertake a variety of official, unofficial and other representational duties within Sweden and abroad.

Carl XVI Gustaf became King on 15 September 1973 on the death of his grandfather, Gustaf VI Adolf.

Sweden has been a kingdom since prehistoric times. As early as the 1st century, Tacitus wrote that the Suiones had a king, but the order of succession up until King Eric the Victorious (died 995), is known almost exclusively through accounts in historically controversial Norse sagas (see Mythical kings of Sweden and Semi-legendary kings of Sweden).