Swedish monarchs

Including the current king Carl XVI Gustaf, Sweden has had 23 monarchs, starting with Gustav I. Learn more about them here below. But first a few words about Regnal numbers.

Regnal number

Regnal numbers are serial numbers, used to distinguish monarchs with the same name and nationality from each other. Roman numerals are used for the regnal numbers. You can read about Roman numerals on Wikipedia.

For example, the name of the current king, Carl XVI Gustaf, is pronounced, Carl the sixteenth Gustaf.

Gustav I of Sweden

Regeringstid 1523-06-06 – 1560-09-29

Birth date:1496-05-12

Death date:1560-09-29

"All power is of God"

Gustav was a member of the House of Vasa, which became the royal family in Sweden when Gustav I seceded from the Kalmar Union and created a hereditary monarchy.

Son of

Erik Johansson Vasa

Death date:1520

Son of

Cecilia Månsdotter of Eka

Death date:1522 – 1523

Father of

Eric XIV of Sweden

Birth date:1533-12-13

Death date:1577-02-26

Father of

John III of Sweden

Birth date:1537-12-20

Death date:1592-11-17

Father of

Catherine Vasa of Sweden

Birth date:1539-06-06

Death date:1610-12-21

Father of

Cecilia of Sweden

Birth date:1540-11-06

Death date:1627-01-27

Father of

Magnus, Duke of Östergötland

Birth date:1542-07-25

Death date:1595-06-20

Father of

Anna of Sweden

Birth date:1545-06-19

Death date:1610-03-20

Father of

Sophia of Sweden

Birth date:1547

Death date:1611

Father of

Elizabeth of Sweden

Birth date:1549-04-04

Death date:1597-11-20

Father of

Charles IX of Sweden

Birth date:1550-10-04

Death date:1611-10-30

Spouse of

Catherine of Saxe-Lauenburg

Birth date:1513-09-24

Death date:1535-09-23

Spouse of

Margaret Leijonhufvud

Birth date:1516-01

Death date:1551-08-25

Spouse of

Catherine Stenbock

Birth date:1535-07-22

Death date:1621-12-13

Eric XIV of Sweden

Regeringstid 1560-09-29 – 1568-09-29

Birth date:1533-12-13

Death date:1577-02-26

"God gives to whom He will"

Eric was Gustav Vasa’s eldest son and inherited the crown from his father. He was deposed by his own brother after being King for eight years. He married his mistress, Karin Månsdotter.

Son of

Catherine of Saxe-Lauenburg

Birth date:1513-09-24

Death date:1535-09-23

Son of

Gustav I of Sweden

Birth date:1496-05-12

Death date:1560-09-29

Father of

Sigrid Vasa of Sweden

Birth date:1566

Death date:1633

Father of

Gustav of Sweden

Birth date:1568

Death date:1607

Father of

Henrik Vasa of Sweden

Birth date:1570-01-24

Death date:1574

Father of

Arnold Vasa of Sweden

Birth date:1572-11-01

Death date:1573

Spouse of

Karin Månsdotter

Birth date:1550-11-06

Death date:1612-09-13

John III of Sweden

Regeringstid 1568-09-30 – 1592-11-17

Birth date:1537-12-20

Death date:1592-11-17

"God our defender"

John started an uprising and deposed his own brother Eric, and then became King. He was married to the Polish Princess Catherine Jagiello.

Son of

Gustav I of Sweden

Birth date:1496-05-12

Death date:1560-09-29

Son of

Margaret Leijonhufvud

Birth date:1516-01

Death date:1551-08-25

Father of

Isabella of Austria

Birth date:1564

Death date:1566-01-18

Father of

Sigismund III av Sverige-Polen

Birth date:1566-06-20

Death date:1632-04-30

Father of

Anna Vasa of Sweden

Birth date:1568-05-17

Death date:1625-02-26

Father of

John, Duke of Östergötland

Birth date:1589-04-18

Death date:1618-03-05

Spouse of

Catherine Jagiellon

Birth date:1526-11-01

Death date:1583-09-16

Spouse of

Gunilla Johansdotter Bielke af Åkerö

Birth date:1568-06-25

Death date:1597-06-25

Sigismund III av Sverige-Polen

Regeringstid 1587-08-19 – 1632-04-19, Regeringstid 1592-11-17 – 1599-07-24

Birth date:1566-06-20

Death date:1632-04-30

"For justice and the people"

Sigismund succeeded his father Johan on the Swedish throne, and was also King of Poland through his mother’s hereditary line. He was relieved of power in Sweden by his uncle, Duke Charles.

Son of

John III of Sweden

Birth date:1537-12-20

Death date:1592-11-17

Son of

Catherine Jagiellon

Birth date:1526-11-01

Death date:1583-09-16

Father of

Władysław IV Vasa

Birth date:1595-01-01

Death date:1648-12-31

Father of

John II Casimir Vasa

Birth date:1609-03-22

Death date:1672-12-16

Father of

Johan Albert Vasa

Birth date:1612-05-25

Death date:1634-12-22

Father of

Karol Ferdynand Vasa

Birth date:1613-10-13

Death date:1655-05-09

Father of

Alexander Charles Vasa

Birth date:1614-11

Death date:1634

Father of

Anna Catherine Constance Vasa

Birth date:1619-08-07

Death date:1651-10-08

Spouse of

Anne of Austria, Queen of Poland and Sweden

Birth date:1583-08-16

Death date:1598-02-10

Spouse of

Constance of Austria

Birth date:1588-12-24

Death date:1631-07-10

Charles IX of Sweden

Regeringstid 1604-03-22 – 1611-10-30

Birth date:1550-10-04

Death date:1611-10-30

"Jehovah is my Solace"

Duke Charles was the younger brother of Eric XIV and John III, and he seized power from his nephew. He was the third brother in the family to become King.

Son of

Margaret Leijonhufvud

Birth date:1516-01

Death date:1551-08-25

Son of

Gustav I of Sweden

Birth date:1496-05-12

Death date:1560-09-29

Father of

Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden

Birth date:1594-12-19

Death date:1632-11-06

Father of

Maria Elizabeth of Sweden

Birth date:1596-03-10

Death date:1618-08

Father of

Charles Philip, Duke of Södermanland

Birth date:1601-04-22

Death date:1622-01-25

Father of

Catherine of Sweden, Countess Palatine of Kleeburg

Birth date:1584-11-10

Death date:1638-12-13

Spouse of

Maria of the Palatinate

Birth date:1561-07-24

Death date:1589-07-29

Spouse of

Christina of Holstein-Gottorp

Birth date:1573-04-12

Death date:1625-12-08

Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden

Regeringstid 1611-10-30 – 1632-11-06

Birth date:1594-12-19

Death date:1632-11-06

"With God and arms victorious"

Gustav Adolf became King when his father, Charles IX, died. He was only 17 years old, but he took over as ruler. He died at the Battle of Lützen in the Thirty Years’ War in 1632. He was married to Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg.

Son of

Charles IX of Sweden

Birth date:1550-10-04

Death date:1611-10-30

Son of

Christina of Holstein-Gottorp

Birth date:1573-04-12

Death date:1625-12-08

Father of

Christina I of Sweden

Birth date:1626-12-07

Death date:1689-04-09

Spouse of

Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg

Birth date:1599-11-11

Death date:1655-03-18

Christina I of Sweden

Regeringstid 1632-11-06 – 1654-06-06

Birth date:1626-12-07

Death date:1689-04-09

"Wisdom is the prop of the realm"

Christina was only five years old when her father Gustav Adolf died. A regency government led by Axel Oxenstierna ruled the kingdom until Christina reached the age of 18. She was crowned King in 1650, but abdicated and left the throne in 1654.

Daughter of

Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden

Birth date:1594-12-19

Death date:1632-11-06

Daughter of

Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg

Birth date:1599-11-11

Death date:1655-03-18

Charles X Gustav of Sweden

Regeringstid 1654-06-06 – 1660-02-13

Birth date:1622-11-08

Death date:1660-02-13

"In God my destiny - He shall perform it"

Charles Gustav was appointed heir to the throne by his cousin Christina. When she abdicated in 1654, he succeeded her and became King. He was the first of the House of Palatinate-Zweibrücken to rule Sweden.

Son of

Catherine of Sweden, Countess Palatine of Kleeburg

Birth date:1584-11-10

Death date:1638-12-13

Son of

John Casimir, Count Palatine of Kleeburg

Birth date:1589-04-12

Death date:1652-06-08

Father of

Charles XI of Sweden

Birth date:1655-11-24

Death date:1697-04-05

Spouse of

Hedwig Eleonora of Holstein-Gottorp

Birth date:1636-10-23

Death date:1715-11-24

Charles XI of Sweden

Regeringstid 1660-02-13 – 1697-04-05

Birth date:1655-11-24

Death date:1697-04-05

"The Lord is become my Defender"

Charles was only four years old when his father Charles X Gustav died in 1660. A regency government had to take control until he came of age. His mother Hedvig Eleonora was a member of the government.

Son of

Charles X Gustav of Sweden

Birth date:1622-11-08

Death date:1660-02-13

Son of

Hedwig Eleonora of Holstein-Gottorp

Birth date:1636-10-23

Death date:1715-11-24

Father of

Hedvig Sophia of Sweden

Birth date:1681-06-26

Death date:1708-12-11

Father of

Charles XII of Sweden

Birth date:1682-06-17

Death date:1718-11-30

Father of

Gustav of Sweden

Birth date:1683

Death date:1685

Father of

Ulrik of Sweden

Birth date:1684-07-22

Death date:1685-05-29

Father of

Fredrik of Sweden

Birth date:1685-09-27

Death date:1685-10

Father of

Karl Gustav of Sweden

Birth date:1686-12-17

Death date:1687-02

Father of

Ulrika Eleonora of Sweden

Birth date:1688-01-23

Death date:1741-11-24

Spouse of

Ulrika Eleonora of Denmark

Birth date:1656-09-11

Death date:1693-07-26

Charles XII of Sweden

Regeringstid 1697-04-05 – 1718-11-30

Birth date:1682-06-17

Death date:1718-11-30

"With God's help"

Ulrika Eleonora of Sweden

Regeringstid 1718-12-05 – 1720-02-29

Birth date:1688-01-23

Death date:1741-11-24

"In God my hope"

Ulrika Eleonora was the sister of Charles XII. Because Charles was childless, it was Ulrika Eleonora who succeeded him. After a year as regent, she handed over the throne to her husband, Frederick of Hesse.

Daughter of

Charles XI of Sweden

Birth date:1655-11-24

Death date:1697-04-05

Daughter of

Ulrika Eleonora of Denmark

Birth date:1656-09-11

Death date:1693-07-26

Spouse of

Frederick I of Sweden

Birth date:1676-04-28

Death date:1751-03-25

Frederick I of Sweden

Regeringstid 1720-03-24 – 1751-03-25

Birth date:1676-04-28

Death date:1751-03-25

"In God my hope"

Frederick took over the throne from his wife Ulrika Eleonora. The couple did not have children together, but instead Adolf Frederick of Holstein Gottorp was appointed heir to the throne.

Son of

Charles I, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel

Birth date:1654-08-03

Death date:1730-03-23

Son of

Maria Amalia of Courland

Birth date:1653-06-12

Death date:1711-06-16

Spouse of

Ulrika Eleonora of Sweden

Birth date:1688-01-23

Death date:1741-11-24

Adolf Frederick of Sweden

Regeringstid 1751-03-25 – 1771-02-12

Birth date:1710-05-14

Death date:1771-02-12

"The prosperity of the State my felicity"

Adolf Frederick of Holstein Gottorp was appointed heir to the throne of Frederick I and Crown Prince of Sweden. He was the first member of the House of Holstein Gottorp to become regent. He was married to Louisa Ulrika of Prussia.

Son of

Christian August of Holstein-Gottorp, Prince of Eutin

Birth date:1673-01-11

Death date:1726-04-24

Son of

Albertina Frederica of Baden-Durlach

Birth date:1682-07-03

Death date:1755-12-22

Father of

Gustav III of Sweden

Birth date:1746-01-24

Death date:1792-03-29

Father of

Charles XIII of Sweden

Birth date:1748-10-07

Death date:1818-02-05

Father of

Prince Frederick Adolf, Duke of Östergötland

Birth date:1750-07-18

Death date:1803-12-12

Father of

Sophia Albertina of Sweden

Birth date:1753-10-08

Death date:1829-03-17

Spouse of

Louisa Ulrika of Prussia

Birth date:1720-07-24

Death date:1782-07-16

Gustav III of Sweden

Regeringstid 1771-02-12 – 1792-03-29

Birth date:1746-01-24

Death date:1792-03-29

"The Fatherland"

Gustav III took over from his father in 1771, and the following year he carried out a coup d’état to strengthen the power of the monarchy. This marked the start of the Gustavian era. He was shot at the Royal Swedish Opera in 1792 and died shortly afterwards.

Son of

Adolf Frederick of Sweden

Birth date:1710-05-14

Death date:1771-02-12

Son of

Louisa Ulrika of Prussia

Birth date:1720-07-24

Death date:1782-07-16

Father of

Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden

Birth date:1778-11-01

Death date:1837-02-07

Father of

Karl Gustav of Sweden

Birth date:1782-08-25

Death date:1783-03-23

Spouse of

Sophia Magdalena of Denmark

Birth date:1746-07-03

Death date:1813-08-21

Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden

Regeringstid 1792-03-29 – 1809-03-29

Birth date:1778-11-01

Death date:1837-02-07

"God and the people"

Gustav Adolf was only 14 years old when his father Gustav III died. His uncle, Duke Charles, served as regent until Gustav Adolf came of age in 1796. He was deposed in 1809, left Sweden and died alone and in poverty in Switzerland many years later.

Son of

Gustav III of Sweden

Birth date:1746-01-24

Death date:1792-03-29

Son of

Sophia Magdalena of Denmark

Birth date:1746-07-03

Death date:1813-08-21

Father of

Gustav, Prince of Vasa

Birth date:1799-11-09

Death date:1877

Father of

Princess Sophie of Sweden

Birth date:1801-05-21

Death date:1865-07-06

Father of

Karl Gustav of Sweden

Birth date:1802

Death date:1805

Father of

Princess Amalia of Sweden

Birth date:1805

Death date:1853

Father of

Cecilia of Sweden

Birth date:1807-06-22

Death date:1844-01-27

Spouse of

Frederica of Baden

Birth date:1781-03-12

Death date:1826-09-25

Charles XIII of Sweden

Regeringstid 1809-06-06 – 1818-02-05

Birth date:1748-10-07

Death date:1818-02-05

"The good of the people my supreme law"

Charles was the brother of Gustav III and uncle of Gustav IV Adolf. He became King after Gustav Adolf was deposed. He and his wife Hedwig Elizabeth Charlotte had no children. The succession was arranged by adopting an adult, Jean Baptiste Bernadotte, who was appointed heir to the throne.

Son of

Adolf Frederick of Sweden

Birth date:1710-05-14

Death date:1771-02-12

Son of

Louisa Ulrika of Prussia

Birth date:1720-07-24

Death date:1782-07-16

Father of

Karl Adolf of Sweden

Birth date:1798-07-03

Death date:1798-07-10

Spouse of

Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp

Birth date:1759-03-22

Death date:1818-06-20

Charles XIV John of Sweden

Regeringstid 1818-02-05 – 1844-03-08

Birth date:1763-01-26

Death date:1844-03-08

"The people's love my reward"

Oscar I of Sweden

Regeringstid 1844-03-08 – 1859-07-08

Birth date:1799-07-04

Death date:1859-07-08

"Justice and truth"

Oscar inherited the throne from his father, Charles XIV John. He was married to Josephine of Leuchtenberg.

Son of

Charles XIV John of Sweden

Birth date:1763-01-26

Death date:1844-03-08

Son of

Désirée of Sweden and Norway

Birth date:1777-11-08

Death date:1860-12-17

Father of

Charles XV of Sweden

Birth date:1826-05-03

Death date:1872-09-18

Father of

Gustav of Sweden-Norge

Birth date:1827-06-18

Death date:1852-09-24

Father of

Oscar II of Sweden

Birth date:1829-01-21

Death date:1907-12-08

Father of

Princess Eugénie of Sweden

Birth date:1830-04-24

Death date:1889-04-23

Father of

Prince August, Duke of Dalarna

Birth date:1831-08-24

Death date:1873-03-04

Spouse of

Josephine of Leuchtenberg

Birth date:1807-03-14

Death date:1876-06-07

Charles XV of Sweden

Regeringstid 1859-07-08 – 1872-09-18

Birth date:1826-05-03

Death date:1872-09-18

"With law shall the land be built"

Charles was the eldest son of Oscar I and Josephine, and he took over when Oscar I died. He and his wife Louisa did not have a son who reached adulthood. Because there was male succession, the throne was inherited by Charles’s brother, Oscar.

Son of

Oscar I of Sweden

Birth date:1799-07-04

Death date:1859-07-08

Son of

Josephine of Leuchtenberg

Birth date:1807-03-14

Death date:1876-06-07

Father of

Louise of Sweden

Birth date:1851-10-31

Death date:1926-03-20

Father of

Prince Carl Oscar, Duke of Södermanland

Birth date:1852

Death date:1854

Spouse of

Louise of the Netherlands

Birth date:1828-08-05

Death date:1871-03-30

Oscar II of Sweden

Regeringstid 1872-09-18 – 1907-12-08

Birth date:1829-01-21

Death date:1907-12-08

"For the good of the kindred nations"

Oscar inherited the throne from his brother, Charles XV, who had no male heir. He was the last King of both Sweden and Norway, and the last ruler to be crowned.

Son of

Oscar I of Sweden

Birth date:1799-07-04

Death date:1859-07-08

Son of

Josephine of Leuchtenberg

Birth date:1807-03-14

Death date:1876-06-07

Father of

Gustaf V of Sweden

Birth date:1858-06-16

Death date:1950-10-29

Father of

Oscar Carl August Bernadotte

Birth date:1859-11-15

Death date:1953-10-04

Father of

Prince Carl, Duke of Västergötland

Birth date:1861-02-27

Death date:1951-10-24

Father of

Prince Eugen, Duke of Närke

Birth date:1865-08-01

Death date:1947-08-17

Spouse of

Sophia of Nassau

Birth date:1836-07-09

Death date:1913-12-30

Gustaf V of Sweden

Regeringstid 1907-12-08 – 1950-10-29

Birth date:1858-06-16

Death date:1950-10-29

"With the people for the land of our fathers"

Gustav took over from his father, Oscar II. He chose not to be crowned when he became King in 1907.

Son of

Sophia of Nassau

Birth date:1836-07-09

Death date:1913-12-30

Son of

Oscar II of Sweden

Birth date:1829-01-21

Death date:1907-12-08

Father of

Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden

Birth date:1882-11-11

Death date:1973-09-15

Father of

Prince Wilhelm, Duke of Södermanland

Birth date:1884-06-17

Death date:1965-06

Father of

Prince Erik, Duke of Västmanland

Birth date:1889-04-20

Death date:1918-09-20

Spouse of

Victoria of Baden

Birth date:1862-08-07

Death date:1930-04-04

Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden

Regeringstid 1950-10-29 – 1973-09-15

Birth date:1882-11-11

Death date:1973-09-15

"Duty first"

Gustav Adolf took over from his father, who had then been King for more than 40 years. His son and heir to the throne Gustaf Adolf died young, and it was therefore his grandson Carl Gustaf who took over from him.

Son of

Gustaf V of Sweden

Birth date:1858-06-16

Death date:1950-10-29

Son of

Victoria of Baden

Birth date:1862-08-07

Death date:1930-04-04

Father of

Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten

Birth date:1906-04-22

Death date:1947-01-26

Father of

Sigvard Bernadotte af Wisborg

Birth date:1907-06-07

Death date:2002-02

Father of

Ingrid of Sweden

Birth date:1910-03-28

Death date:2000-11-07

Father of

Carl Johan Bernadotte af Wisborg

Birth date:1916-10-31

Death date:2012

Father of

Prince Bertil, Duke of Halland

Birth date:1912-02-28

Spouse of

Princess Margaret of Connaught

Birth date:1882-01-15

Death date:1920-05-01

Spouse of

Louise Mountbatten

Birth date:1889-07-13

Death date:1965-03-07

Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden

Regeringstid 1973-09-15

Birth date:1946-04-30

"For Sweden - With the times"

Since there was male succession, Carl Gustaf became heir to the throne despite being the youngest of his siblings. His father died in a plane crash when Carl Gustaf was a child, and he succeeded his grandfather as King in 1973.

Son of