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King Carl XVI Gustaf. Photo: Wikimedia |
Today it is Walpurgis night when many Swedes celebrate the arrival of spring. But it is also the birthday of the Swedish King, Carl XVI Gustaf.
The King turns 65 today and can be celebrated by the public outside the royal castle in Stockholm from 11.15 am to 12.50 pm.
The King has recently said that he has no plans to retire prematurely, and leave the positions as Head of State to his daughter Crown Princess Victoria.
- It is part of the concept of a monarchy that a monarch fulfills his duties until he is incapable of doing so, he is quoted in the daily newspaper Dagens Nyheter.
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Sweden is a constitutional monarchy. The King does not have any political powers; only ceremonial duties. He opens for example the Riksdag every year and represents Sweden abroad on some occasions. Carl XVI Gustaf became king in 1973 when his Grandfather King Gustaf VI Adolf passed away. The King’s father died already when the present King as one years old.