View source for Carl XVI Gustaf

{{Short description|King of Sweden since 1973}}
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{{About|the king of Sweden|the weapon|Carl Gustaf 8.4 cm recoilless rifle|other Swedish royalty named Carl|Carl of Sweden (disambiguation)}}
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{{Tone|date=May 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name         = Carl XVI Gustaf
| image        = Crafoord Prize D81 9141 (42282165922) (cropped).jpg
| caption      = Carl Gustaf in 2018
| succession   = [[King of Sweden]]
| reign        = 15 September 1973 – present
| coronation   = 19 September 1973
| cor-type     = [[Enthronement#Sweden|Enthronement]]
| predecessor  = [[Gustaf VI Adolf]]
| suc-type     = [[Heir apparent]]
| successor    = [[Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden|Victoria]]
| spouse       = {{marriage|[[Silvia Sommerlath]]|19 June 1976}}
| issue        = {{plainlist|
* [[Crown Princess Victoria]]
* [[Prince Carl Philip]]
* [[Princess Madeleine]]
}}
| house        = [[House of Bernadotte|Bernadotte]]
| full name    = Carl Gustaf Folke Hubertus
| father       = [[Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten]]
| mother       = [[Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha]]
| signature    = Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden Signature.svg
| birth_date   = {{birth date and age|1946|04|30|df=y}}
| birth_place  = [[Haga Palace]], [[Solna]], Sweden
| death_date   = 
| death_place  = 
| religion     = [[Church of Sweden]]
| module       = {{Infobox person | embed=yes
 | education = {{plainlist|
* [[Uppsala University]]<ref name='education'>{{Cite web | url = https://www.kungahuset.se/english/royal-house/hm-the-king | title = HM The King |publisher=[[Royal Court of Sweden]] | access-date = 26 October 2024 | quote = In 1968, The Crown Prince began a special academic education programme including courses in history, sociology, political science, financial law and economics at Uppsala University. He also studied courses in national economics at Stockholm University.}}</ref>
* [[Stockholm University]]<ref name='education' />}}
}}
}}
{{Swedish Royal Family}}
'''Carl XVI Gustaf''' (Carl Gustaf Folke Hubertus; born 30 April 1946) is [[King of Sweden]], reigning since 1973. Having reigned for {{Years since|1973}} years, he is the longest-reigning monarch in [[History of Sweden|Swedish history]].

Carl Gustaf was born during the reign of his paternal great-grandfather, [[King Gustaf V]], as the youngest child and only son of [[Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten]], and [[Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha]]. His father died [[1947 KLM Douglas DC-3 crash|in an airplane crash]] in Denmark in January 1947, when Carl Gustaf was nine months old. Carl Gustaf became crown prince and [[heir apparent]] to the Swedish throne at the age of four when his grandfather [[Gustaf VI Adolf]] acceded to the throne in 1950.

Carl Gustaf acceded to the throne upon his grandfather's death on 15 September 1973. Shortly after he became king, the new [[Basic Laws of Sweden#Instrument of Government|1974 Instrument of Government]] took effect, formally stripping the monarchy of its remaining executive powers. As a result, Carl Gustaf no longer performs many of the duties normally accorded to a [[head of state]] in parliamentary regimes, such as the formal appointment of the prime minister, signing legislation into law, and being [[commander-in-chief]] of the nation's military. The new instrument explicitly limited the king to ceremonial and representative functions, while he retained the right to be regularly informed of affairs of state. As head of the [[House of Bernadotte]], Carl Gustaf has also been able to make a number of decisions about the titles and positions of its members.

In June 1976, [[Wedding of Carl XVI Gustaf and Silvia Sommerlath|Carl Gustaf married]] [[Queen Silvia of Sweden|Silvia Sommerlath]]. They have three children: [[Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden|Victoria]], [[Prince Carl Philip, Duke of Värmland|Carl Philip]], and [[Princess Madeleine, Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland|Madeleine]]. The king's [[heir apparent]], after passage on 1 January 1980 of a new law establishing [[absolute primogeniture]],<ref>[https://sweden.se/society/the-swedish-monarchy/ Article] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626230527/https://sweden.se/society/the-swedish-monarchy/ |date=26 June 2019 }} by the [[Swedish Institute]] 15 June 2018</ref> is his eldest child, Crown Princess Victoria. Victoria's younger brother, Carl Philip, was briefly the heir apparent from his birth in May 1979 until the application of said law.

== Early life ==
Carl Gustaf was born on 30 April 1946 at 10:20<ref>{{cite book |editor-first=Erik |editor-last=Rudberg |title=Svenska dagbladets årsbok 1946 |year=1947 |publisher=[[Svenska Dagbladet]] |location=Stockholm |language=sv |id={{LIBRIS|283647}} |page=43}}</ref> in [[Haga Palace]] in [[Solna]], [[Stockholm County]]. He was the youngest of five children and the only son of Sweden's Prince Gustaf Adolf and Princess Sibylla. He was christened at the [[Royal Chapel (Sweden)|Royal Chapel]] on 7 June 1946 by the [[Archbishop of Uppsala]], [[Erling Eidem]].<ref name="Lundgren Larsson Jaeger Engman 2017 p. 22-IA52">{{cite book |last1=Lundgren |first1=R. |last2=Larsson |first2=A. |last3=Jaeger |first3=A. |last4=Engman |first4=A. |last5=Malmberg |first5=A. |last6=Fotoreportage |first6=S. |last7=Bild |first7=A. |title=Sibylla: En biografi |publisher=Albert Bonniers Förlag |year=2017 |isbn=978-91-0-017023-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dRg4DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA22-IA52 |language=sv |access-date=17 June 2020 |page=22-IA52 |archive-date=17 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417082507/https://books.google.com/books?id=dRg4DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA22-IA52 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Gustaf Adolf & Sibylla.jpg|thumb|150px|Carl Gustaf's parents, Prince Gustaf Adolf and Princess Sibylla]]
Carl Gustaf was baptised in [[Charles XI]]'s baptismal font, which stood on [[Gustav III]]'s carpet; he lay in Charles XI's cradle with [[Oscar II]]'s crown beside him.<ref>{{cite book |editor-last=Olsson |editor-first=Nils |first=Harald |last=Schiller |title=Händelser man minns: en krönika i ord och bild 1920–1969 |year=1970 |publisher=Samverkande bokförlags försäljningsorganisation |location=Stockholm |language=sv |id={{LIBRIS|569745}} |page=1946/5}}</ref> The christening gown in white linen [[batiste]] that the prince wore had been worn by his father in 1906 and would later be worn by his three children.<ref>{{cite book |title=Anno. [19]82 |year=1983 |publisher=Corona |location=Malmö |language=sv |isbn=91-85556-16-5 |id={{LIBRIS|3759331}} |page=39}}</ref> His godparents were the [[Frederick IX of Denmark|Crown Prince]] and [[Ingrid of Sweden|Crown Princess of Denmark]] (his paternal uncle and aunt), the [[Olav V of Norway|Crown Prince of Norway]], [[Princess Juliana of the Netherlands]], the [[Gustaf V of Sweden|King of Sweden]] (his paternal great-grandfather), the [[Friedrich Josias, Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha|Hereditary Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha]] (his maternal uncle), the [[Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden|Crown Prince]] and [[Louise Mountbatten|Crown Princess of Sweden]] (his paternal grandfather and step-grandmother), and [[Folke Bernadotte|Count Folke]] and Countess Maria Bernadotte of [[Wisborg]].<ref name=kungens_liv>{{cite web |url=http://www.kungahuset.se/specialwebbsidor/jubileumswebbsidor/hmkonungen60ar/kungenslivi60ar.4.124d504108b48b219780005192.html |publisher=[[Royal Court of Sweden]] |title=Kungens liv i 60 år |trans-title=King's life for 60 years |access-date=9 July 2020 |language=sv |archive-date=10 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810211823/http://www.kungahuset.se/specialwebbsidor/jubileumswebbsidor/hmkonungen60ar/kungenslivi60ar.4.124d504108b48b219780005192.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Prince Carl Gustaf was also given the title of the Duke of [[Jämtland]]. His father, [[Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten]], was killed in an [[1947 KLM Douglas DC-3 Copenhagen accident|airplane crash]] on 26 January 1947 at [[Copenhagen Airport]]. His father's death had left the nine-month-old prince second in line for the throne, behind his grandfather, then Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf. When his paternal great-grandfather, [[Gustaf V]] died in 1950, the four-year-old prince became the [[heir apparent]] of Sweden.<ref name=kungens_liv />

Carl Gustaf was seven years old before he was told about his father's death. He expressed his feelings about growing up without knowing his father in a speech in 2005.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Orange |first=Richard |date=29 October 2011 |title=King Carl XVI Gustaf: profile |journal=Daily Telegraph |language=en-GB |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/sweden/8856490/King-Carl-XVI-Gustaf-profile.html |access-date=22 May 2020 |issn=0307-1235|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111030051003/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/sweden/8856490/King-Carl-XVI-Gustaf-profile.html |archive-date=30 October 2011 }}</ref>

== Youth and education ==
[[File:Vasa Carl Gustaf 1961.jpg|thumb|The 15-year-old Crown Prince of Sweden looks at the recently recovered 17th-century warship ''[[Vasa (ship)|Vasa]]'' in 1961.]]

Carl Gustaf's earliest education was received privately at the [[Stockholm Palace|Royal Palace]]. He was then sent to {{interlanguage link|Broms school|sv|Broms skola}}, and then on to [[Sigtunaskolan Humanistiska Läroverket|Sigtuna boarding school]]. After graduating from [[High school (upper secondary)|high school]] in 1966, Carl Gustaf completed two-and-a-half years of education in the [[Swedish Army]], the [[Royal Swedish Navy]], and the [[Swedish Air Force]]. During the winter of 1966–67, he took part in a round-the-world voyage with the [[Mine layer|mine-laying vessel]] ''[[HSwMS Älvsnabben (M01)|Älvsnabben]]''. Carl Gustaf received his commission as an officer in all three services in 1968, eventually rising to the rank of [[captain]] (in the army and air force) and [[lieutenant]] (in the navy), before his accession to the throne. He also completed his academic studies in [[history]], [[sociology]], [[political science]], [[tax law]], and [[economics]] at [[Uppsala University]] and later economics at [[Stockholm University]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Biography – Sveriges Kungahus |url=https://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/royalfamily/hmkingcarlxvigustaf/biography.4.396160511584257f2180006110.html |publisher=[[Royal Court of Sweden]] |access-date=15 December 2018 |archive-date=6 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506085124/https://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/royalfamily/hmkingcarlxvigustaf/biography.4.396160511584257f2180006110.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

To prepare for his role as [[head of state]], Carl Gustaf followed a broad program of studies on the court system, social organisations and institutions, [[trade union]]s, and employers' associations. In addition, he closely studied the affairs of the [[Riksdag]], Government, and [[Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Sweden)|Ministry for Foreign Affairs]]. He also spent time at the Swedish mission to the [[United Nations]] and the [[Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency]] (SIDA), worked at a bank and the Swedish embassy in London, and at the Swedish Chamber of Commerce and at the [[Alfa Laval]] Company factory in France. In 1970, he represented King Gustaf VI Adolf at the head of the Swedish delegation to the [[World Exposition]] in [[Osaka]], Japan. Since his youth, Carl Gustaf has been a strong supporter of the [[Scout Movement]] in Sweden.<ref>{{cite web |title=10 facts about King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden |url=https://ca.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2014043018510/king-carl-gustaf-sweden-10-facts/ |website=HOLA |date=30 April 2014 |access-date=10 June 2019 |archive-date=2 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402195815/https://ca.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2014043018510/king-carl-gustaf-sweden-10-facts/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Carl Gustaf has [[dyslexia]], as do his daughter Crown Princess Victoria and his son Prince Carl Philip.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Expressen]] |date=18 September 1997 |page=109 |title=Toinis metod hjälpte Carl Philip |trans-title=Toini's method helped Carl Philip |quote=En dyslektiker kan lära sig att läsa och skriva efter bara 50 timmars träning. Det säger nu Toini Prim, en av Sveriges ledande dyslexiexperter. Prim har tidigare bland annat hjälpt till att behandla prins Carl Philip. |trans-quote=A dyslexic can learn to read and write after just 50 hours of training, says Toini Prim, one of Sweden's leading dyslexia experts. Prim has previously helped treat Prince Carl Philip, among others. |language=sv}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Dagens Nyheter]]s bilaga |date=16 May 2010 |page=25 |title=Med Drottningholmsom lekplats |trans-title=With Drottningholm as a playground |quote=Rätt snart upptäcktes att Victoria hade ärvt faderns dyslexi och hon kämpade hårt för att hålla jämna steg med klasskamraterna. |trans-quote=It was soon discovered that Victoria had inherited her father's dyslexia and she struggled to keep up with her classmates. |language=sv}}</ref> He holds [[honorary degree|honorary]] doctoral degrees from the [[Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences]], [[KTH Royal Institute of Technology]], the [[Stockholm School of Economics]] and from the [[Åbo Akademi University]] in Finland.

== Reign ==
[[File:Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden & Stig Stefanson 1975.jpg|thumb|Carl Gustaf and Senator R. S. Stefanson at [[Stockholm City Hall]] in 1975]]
Carl Gustaf ascended the throne upon the death of his grandfather, Gustaf VI Adolf, on 15 September 1973. Four days later, he took the required regal assurance ({{Langx|sv|Konungaförsäkran}}) during an extraordinary meeting of the cabinet. Afterwards, he appeared before members of parliament, the diplomatic corps and court in the Hall of State at the Royal Palace where he was enthroned on [[Silver Throne|the Silver Throne]] and gave a speech. Both the cabinet meeting and ceremony at the Hall were broadcast live on television. Following the ceremonies, he appeared on the balcony to acknowledge gathered crowds.<ref name=":2">{{cite news |last=Altman |first=Lawrence K. |date=20 September 1973 |title=New King Begins Reign in Sweden |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/09/20/archives/new-king-begins-reign-in-sweden-final-election-tally-shows-deadlock.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024035601/https://www.nytimes.com/1973/09/20/archives/new-king-begins-reign-in-sweden-final-election-tally-shows-deadlock.html |archive-date=24 October 2018 |access-date=29 May 2018 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

Carl Gustaf undertook his first state visit as king on 6 October 1974, meeting with his godfather King [[Olav V]] in Norway.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Gyllenberg |first=Eva-Karin |date=2013-09-13 |title=Kungen har suttit längst av Europas alla kungar |work=[[Dagens Nyheter]] |pages=15–16}}</ref>[[File:Kungafamiljen & prinsessan Estelle den 30 april 2012..JPG|thumb|The royal family appearing on the balcony of the Royal Palace for the king's 66th birthday, 30 April 2012]]

As head of state, he is the foremost representative of Sweden and pays [[List of state visits made by Carl XVI Gustaf|state visits abroad]] and [[List of state visits received by Carl XVI Gustaf|receives]] those to Sweden; he [[Opening of the Riksdag|opens the annual session]] of the [[Riksdag]], chairs the [[Council of State (Sweden)|Special Council held during a change of Government]] ({{lang|sv|skifteskonselj}}), holds regular Information Councils with the Prime Minister and the Cabinet ({{lang|sv|informationskonselj}}), chairs the meetings of the [[Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs]] ({{lang|sv|utrikesnämnden}}), receives [[Letter of credence|letters of credence]] of foreign ambassadors to Sweden and signs those of Sweden to foreign nations, and annually presents the [[Nobel Prize]]s{{efn|Excepting the [[Nobel Peace Prize]], which is awarded by the [[King of Norway]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/award_ceremonies/ |title=The Nobel Peace Prize Award Ceremonies |publisher=Nobel Foundation |access-date=2011-10-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006172022/http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/award_ceremonies/ |archive-date=2011-10-06 |url-status=live }}</ref>}} and the [[Polar Music Prize]]. As a figurehead, he also voluntarily abstains from voting in [[Swedish elections]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.royalcourt.se/monarkinhovstaterna/densvenskamonarkin/monarkinisverige/monarkensuppgifter.4.7c4768101a4e888378000291.html |publisher=Royal Court of Sweden |title=Monarkens uppgifter |trans-title=Duties of the monarch |language=sv |access-date=19 August 2012 |archive-date=13 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060513070731/http://www.royalcourt.se/monarkinhovstaterna/densvenskamonarkin/monarkinisverige/monarkensuppgifter.4.7c4768101a4e888378000291.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Carl Gustaf holds the highest ranks in the three branches of the [[Swedish Armed Forces]]; this is due to the fact that he was, as stipulated by §&nbsp;14 of the [[1809 Instrument of Government]] in effect at the time of his accession to the throne in 1973, the [[Commander-in-chief#Sweden|Commander-in-Chief]] ({{langx|sv|Högste Befälhavare}}; not to be confused with the military professional holding the position of [[Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces|Supreme Commander]]) and therefore he was promoted ''[[ex officio]]'' from his earlier ranks of captain (Army & Air Force) and lieutenant (Navy), to [[General (Sweden)|general]] and [[Admiral (Sweden)|admiral]]. Under the provisions of the [[Constitution of Sweden|Instrument of Government of 1974]], which became effective on 1 January 1975, the King no longer holds this constitutionally-mandated position, but he kept his ranks ''[[à la suite]]'' since he no longer has any military command authority, except over [[His Majesty's Military Staff]].

On 26 April 2018, Carl Gustaf became the longest-reigning Swedish monarch when he surpassed [[Magnus Eriksson]]'s reign of 44 years and 222 days.<ref>{{cite news |date=26 April 2018 |title=King Carl XVI Gustaf now Sweden's longest-reigning monarch |url=https://www.thelocal.se/20180426/king-carl-xvi-gustaf-now-swedens-longest-reigning-monarch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623170023/https://www.thelocal.se/20180426/king-carl-xvi-gustaf-now-swedens-longest-reigning-monarch |archive-date=23 June 2018 |access-date=29 May 2018 |newspaper=The Local Sweden}}</ref>

[[Golden Jubilee of Carl XVI Gustaf|Carl Gustaf's Golden Jubilee]] was celebrated in 2023. The celebrations included tours of all of Sweden's 21 counties, a jubilee banquet at the Royal Palace and a carriage procession through the streets of Stockholm. Leading up to his jubilee and beginning in 2018, Carl Gustaf and the way his monarchy has developed saw a rise in criticism being published.<ref>[https://www.svtplay.se/video/ebmEDGY/uppdrag-granskning/kungens-bostader ''Uppdrag granskning - kungens bostäder''] [[Sveriges Television|SVT]] 16 May 2023</ref><ref>{{interlanguage link|Thomas Lyrevik|sv}} in ''Den kungliga kleptokratin makt, manipulation, berikning'' 670 p. {{ISBN|9789188383419}}</ref><ref>Ulf Bergström, Staffan Nyberg & Tony Karlsson in ''Monarkins verkliga kostnader 2020'' 80 p. [[LIBRIS]] #fsqjvf15c1qs0flz</ref><ref>[http://libris.kb.se/bib/wdkf054nttmr3ccj Book] ''Chefen'' by [[Thomas Sjöberg (journalist)|Thomas Sjöberg]] 2023</ref> Support for the monarchy overall remained strong in the Swedish public, however, in large part due to the popularity of [[Crown Princess Victoria]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tv4.se/artikel/2XXu9ofMRmMBm3rHQyf9J4/nya-siffror-kungen-sitter-saekert-hoegsta-stoedet-pa-oever-20-ar |title=Nya siffror: Högsta stödet för kungahuset – på över 20 år |date=21 January 2024 }}</ref>

Following the [[Abdication of Margrethe II|abdication]] of his cousin, [[Margrethe II]] of Denmark, Carl Gustaf became the longest-serving incumbent head of state in Europe and the longest-reigning [[sovereign]] in the world.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-01-14 |title=Queen Margrethe: Will abdication cause a ripple effect? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67944716 |access-date=2025-02-19 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> His reign saw Sweden end over 200 years of neutrality by joining [[NATO]] on 18 March 2024.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |date=18 March 2024 |title=Kungen om Natointrädet: Nu skrivs ett nytt stycke svensk historia |trans-title=The King on NATO entry: A new chapter in Swedish history is now being written |url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/kungen-om-natointradet-nu-skrivs-ett-nytt-stycke-svensk-historia |publisher=[[Sveriges Television]] |work=SVT Nyheter}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite news |date=18 March 2024 |title=Kungen om Nato: Sverige hotar ingen |trans-title=The King on NATO: Sweden threatens no one |url=https://www.gp.se/nyheter/sverige/kungen-om-nato-sverige-hotar-ingen.13920cca-3d8d-5052-89c5-758d80ca2dd5 |newspaper=Göteborgs-Posten}}</ref>

== Views ==
Carl Gustaf has made a number of controversial statements considered political. In 1989, he criticised Norway's [[seal hunting]] policy, saying that "if [prime minister] [[Gro Harlem Brundtland]] cannot take care of the seal problems, I wonder how she will be able to take care of the Norwegian people".<ref>[http://www.svtplay.se/klipp/91868/uttalande-om-norsk-saljakt-uppror ”Uttalande om norsk säljakt upprör”] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004222429/http://www.svtplay.se/klipp/91868/uttalande-om-norsk-saljakt-uppror|date=4 October 2013}} SVT:s öppna arkiv</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-15 |title=Kungen - 50 år i Sveriges tjänst |trans-title=The King - 50 years in Sweden's service |url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/a/APM8LA |access-date=2025-06-06 |website=[[Aftonbladet]] |language=sv}}</ref> In 2004, after a state visit to [[Brunei]], he praised Sultan [[Hassanal Bolkiah]] and described Brunei as an "open country", despite its controversial [[Human rights in Brunei|human rights record]].<ref>{{cite web |date=9 February 2004 |title=Kungen får skarp kritik för uttalanden om Brunei |url=https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/365873 |publisher=[[Sveriges Radio]]}}</ref> In 2023 Carl Gustaf said that while he understands that Brunei has a non-democratic form of government, it is still an open country.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wikén |first1=Erik |date=3 January 2023 |title=Kungen står fast vid Bruneiuttalande: "Blev ett totalt missförstånd" |url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/kungen-star-fast-vid-bruneiuttalande-det-blev-ett-totalt-missforstand |work=SVT Nyheter}}</ref>

Following the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami]], in which many Swedes died, then-prime minister [[Göran Persson]] had failed to carry out his constitutional obligation to inform the king on matters of state, resulting in criticism of his government. During a memorial ceremony held at [[Stockholm City Hall]] on 10 January 2005 the king gave a highly praised speech which restored support of the monarchy.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tanaka/Tt |first1=Sofia |date=22 December 2014 |title=Kungen minns sorgen efter tsunamin |url=https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/6053137 |publisher=[[Sveriges Radio]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=10 January 2005 |title=Kungen för sent informerad om katastrofen |url=https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/536214 |publisher=[[Sveriges Radio]]}}</ref>

In 2015, Carl Gustaf offered to assist in resolving a diplomatic crisis between Sweden and [[Saudi Arabia]], which began when foreign minister [[Margot Wallström]] criticized Saudi Arabia's form of government and human rights situation. Saudi Arabia responded by recalling its ambassador to Sweden and ending a military co-operation agreement between the two nations. The [[Löfven I cabinet|Swedish government]] then reportedly asked Carl Gustaf to write a letter to the [[Salman of Saudi Arabia|Saudi Arabian king]], which ended the crisis.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 April 2016 |title=Sveriges kung hjälper regeringen i svåra situationer |url=https://yle.fi/a/7-1067236 |access-date=5 September 2024 |publisher=[[Yle]] |language=sv}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-03-21 |title=Sweden's king 'worried' about Saudi row |url=https://www.thelocal.se/20150321/swedens-king-worried-about-saudi-row |access-date=2025-06-06 |website=The Local Sweden |language=en}}</ref> In 2016, Carl Gustaf said that the letter he wrote played a role in resolving the dispute with Saudi Arabia and added that he had "good relations" with the Saudi king, which led to criticism.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bengtsson |first=Ninna |date=28 April 2016 |title=Kungen kritiseras: "Märkligt uttalande om Saudi" |trans-title=The King is criticized: "Strange statement about Saudi" |url=https://www.svd.se/a/ng135/kungen-kritiseras-markligt-uttalande-om-saudi |access-date=5 September 2024 |newspaper=[[Svenska Dagbladet]] |language=sv |issn=1101-2412}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |date=20 October 2016 |title=Wallströms kritik mot Saudiarabien |url=https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/6544463 |access-date=5 September 2024 |publisher=[[Sveriges Radio]] |language=sv}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-04-28 |title=King says letter helped iron out Saudi dispute |url=https://www.sverigesradio.se/artikel/6421706 |access-date=2025-06-06 |website=Radio Sweden |publisher=Sveriges Radio |language=en}}</ref>

In 2016, Carl Gustaf intervened in a debate surrounding the proposed Nobel Center at [[Blasieholmen]] in central Stockholm, near the [[Nationalmuseum]] and old town, saying that the proposed structure was "too big and in the wrong place" and that it "could be relocated".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Runblom |first=Karin |date=2 June 2016 |title=Kritik mot kungens utspel om Nobel Center |trans-title=Criticism of the King's statement about the Nobel Center |url=https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/6445252 |access-date=5 September 2024 |publisher=[[Sveriges Radio]] |language=sv}}</ref> Following the [[2018 Swedish general election|2018 election]], the City of Stockholm abandoned the original proposal, opting instead for creating new plans near [[Slussen]].<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=7 February 2020 |title=Stadsgårdskajen vid Slussen blir plats för Nobel center |trans-title=Stadsgårdskajen at Slussen will be the location for the Nobel Center |url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/stockholm/ny-plats-for-nobelcenter-presenteras |access-date=5 September 2024 |work=SVT Nyheter |language=sv}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=7 February 2020 |title=Nytt försök att bygga Nobelcenter |trans-title=New attempt to build Nobel Center |url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/jd76xw/nytt-forsok-att-bygga-nobelcenter |access-date=5 September 2024 |newspaper=[[Aftonbladet]] |language=sv}}</ref>

In December 2020, Carl Gustaf said that Sweden "failed" to save lives with its approach to dealing with the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden|COVID-19 pandemic]], which involved not imposing a full national [[COVID-19 lockdowns|lockdown]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-55347021 |title=Coronavirus: Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf says coronavirus approach 'has failed' |work=[[BBC News]] |date=17 December 2020 |access-date=15 March 2022 |archive-date=26 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626074656/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-55347021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2022, the King condemned the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] during a visit to the Life Regiment Hussars to present a new standard to the regiment. He stated that Europe was in an extremely difficult situation and accused Russia of violating international law and creating a humanitarian catastrophe.<ref>{{cite web |date=7 March 2022 |title=Kungen uttalade sig angående den Ryska federationens invasion av Ukraina |trans-title=The King made a statement regarding the Russian Federation's invasion of Ukraine |url=https://www.kungahuset.se/arkiv/nyheter/2022-03-07-kungen-uttalade-sig-angaende-den-ryska-federationens-invasion-av-ukraina |publisher=[[Royal Court of Sweden]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=7 March 2022 |title=Kungen: Läget i Europa mycket allvarligt |trans-title=The King: The situation in Europe is very serious |url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/wOLzA4/kungen-laget-i-europa-mycket-allvarligt |newspaper=[[Aftonbladet]]}}</ref>

In 2023, the [[Nobel Foundation]] announced that they intended to invite ambassadors from [[Russia]], [[Belarus]] and [[Iran]] to attend that year's Nobel Prize awards ceremony. This sparked mass criticism and the royal court issued a statement saying the king was still deciding on whether or not to attend the ceremony, as has been tradition since it was first held. Many leaders of political parties also threatened to boycott the ceremony.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |date=2 September 2023 |title=Kungen har inte bestämt sig om Nobel |trans-title=The King has not decided on the Nobel Prize |url=https://www.di.se/nyheter/kungen-har-inte-bestamt-sig-om-nobel/ |access-date=5 September 2024 |newspaper=[[Dagens Industri]] |language=sv}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bolmgren |first=Filip |date=2 September 2023 |title=Kungen "inte bestämt sig om han ska gå på Nobel" |trans-title=The King "has not decided whether he will go for the Nobel Prize" |url=https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/hovet-kungen-inte-bestamt-sig-om-han-ska-ga-pa-nobel/ |access-date=5 September 2024 |newspaper=[[Expressen]] |language=sv}}</ref> Eventually the Foundation backed down on its decision.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nyman |first=Jenny |date=2 September 2023 |title=Nobelstiftelsen backar: "Det finns självkritik" |trans-title=The Nobel Foundation backs down: "There is self-criticism" |url=https://www.svd.se/a/mQ452l/nobelstiftelsen-backar-bjuder-inte-in-ryssland-iran-och-belarus |access-date=5 September 2024 |newspaper=[[Svenska Dagbladet]] |language=sv |issn=1101-2412}}</ref>

During a ceremony held outside the [[Riksdag building]] to mark Sweden's accession to NATO in 2024, Carl Gustaf described the move to join the alliance as a new era in Swedish security policy and reaffirmed Sweden's wish for peace.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> At the 2025 [[Society and Defence|Society and Defence National Conference]] in Sälen, Carl Gustaf addressed Sweden's security situation. He said that whilst Sweden was not at war it could no longer consider itself at peace, echoing a sentiment voiced by prime minister [[Ulf Kristersson]]. He also highlighted the need societal preparedness and stated that he believed the public's willingness to defend the realm had grown in recent years.<ref>{{cite news |date=13 January 2025 |title=Kungen: Vi ska vara observanta |trans-title=The King: We should be observant |url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/OoqvGq/kungen-vi-ska-vara-observanta |newspaper=[[Aftonbladet]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=13 January 2025 |title=Kungen: Försvarsviljan har ökat |trans-title=The King: The will to defend has increased |url=https://www.svd.se/a/eMX9Gy/kungen-forsvarsviljan-har-okat |newspaper=[[Svenska Dagbladet]]}}</ref>

== Personal life ==

=== Personal interests ===

Carl Gustaf is passionate about the environment, technology, agriculture, trade, and industry. Like many members of the Swedish royal family, he has a keen interest in automobiles. He owns several [[Porsche 911]]s, a car model which is said to be a particular favourite of his, as well as a vintage [[Volvo PV444]], a [[Ferrari 456]]M GT, an [[AC Cobra]] and other cars.<ref>{{cite news |last=Enqvist |first=Victoria |date=26 April 2006 |title=För Sverige – i bilen |url=http://expressen.se/index.jsp?a=573067 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20171020065014/https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/for-sverige---i-bilen/ |archive-date=20 October 2017 |access-date=19 August 2012 |newspaper=[[Expressen]] |language=sv}}</ref> The first pictures taken of him and his future wife were of them sitting in his Porsche 911. In the summer of 2005, he was involved in a traffic accident in [[Norrköping]], which was described as a "fender bender", with no serious personal injuries. Nevertheless, the incident caused national headlines.<ref>{{cite news |date=25 August 2005 |title=Swedish king crashes car |url=http://www.thelocal.se/article.php?ID=1958&date=20050825 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003184412/http://www.thelocal.se/article.php?ID=1958&date=20050825 |archive-date=3 October 2012 |access-date=19 August 2012 |newspaper=[[The Local]]}}</ref> Carl Gustaf and Silvia have attended several Summer and Winter [[Olympic Games]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The King and Queen visit the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi |url=http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/latestnews/2014/2014/thekingandqueenvisitthewinterolympicgamesinsochi.5.38464237143e351339ac46.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126205910/https://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/latestnews/2014/2014/thekingandqueenvisitthewinterolympicgamesinsochi.5.38464237143e351339ac46.html |archive-date=26 January 2021 |access-date=24 February 2018 |publisher=[[Royal Court of Sweden]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Steve Reed |date=23 February 2018 |title=The king, the demon and a Swedish Olympic biathlon win |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/king-demon-huge-swedish-biathlon-win-145658257--spt.html |publisher=The [[Associated Press]]}}{{Dead link|date=July 2023|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=6 August 2024 |title=Kungaparet vid OS i Paris |url=https://www.kungahuset.se/arkiv/nyheter/2024-08-06-kungaparet-vid-os-i-paris |access-date=26 August 2024 |publisher=[[Royal Court of Sweden]]}}</ref>

==== Scouting ====
Carl Gustaf is the honorary chairman of the [[World Scout Foundation]], and often participates in [[Scouting|scout]] activities both [[Svenska Scoutrådet|in Sweden]] and abroad. He regularly visits [[World Scout Jamboree]]s, for instance the 1979 [[15th World Scout Jamboree (cancelled)#World Jamboree Year|Dalajamb World Jamboree International Encampment]] hosted by Sweden, the 2002 World Jamboree held in [[20th World Scout Jamboree|Sattahip, Thailand]], and the 100th Anniversary of World Scouting 2007 World Jamboree held [[21st World Scout Jamboree|in Hylands Park, England]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The King of Sweden at the Jamboree |url=http://www.scout.org/en/information_events/events/world_events/world_jamboree/21st_world_scout_jamboree__2/jamboree_news/the_king_of_sweden_at_the_jamboree |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090519083240/http://www.scout.org/en/information_events/events/world_events/world_jamboree/21st_world_scout_jamboree__2/jamboree_news/the_king_of_sweden_at_the_jamboree |archive-date=19 May 2009}}</ref> He also attended the [[National Scout jamboree (Boy Scouts of America)|1981 National Scout Jamboree]] in [[Virginia]], United States, and was awarded the [[Bronze Wolf]], the only distinction of the [[World Organization of the Scout Movement]], awarded by the World Scout Committee for exceptional services to world Scouting, in 1982. He also attended the [[22nd World Scout Jamboree]]. He gave a speech on 6 August 2011 at the closing ceremony with more than 40,000 people watching. The band [[Europe (band)|Europe]] also performed for him singing "The Final Countdown". King Carl Gustaf made an appearance at the 2013 Boy Scouts of America National Jamboree in West Virginia.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wilkes |first=Collin |date=22 July 2013 |title=Jambopalooza, summit hikes – 'experience of a lifetime' |url=http://www.heraldsun.com/news/x533459065/Jambopalooza-summit-hikes-experience-of-a-lifetime |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406201602/http://www.heraldsun.com/news/x533459065/Jambopalooza-summit-hikes-experience-of-a-lifetime |archive-date=6 April 2015 |access-date=24 July 2013 |newspaper=[[The Herald-Sun]] |publisher=[[Paxton Media Group]] |location=Durham, North Carolina}}</ref>

=== Marriage and family ===
{{main|Wedding of Carl XVI Gustaf and Silvia Sommerlath}}
[[File:King and Queen of Sweden.jpg|thumb|King Carl XVI Gustaf with Queen Silvia at the royal wedding of their daughter Victoria]]
Carl Gustaf met [[Silvia Sommerlath]], an interpreter and host born to a German father and a Brazilian mother, at the [[1972 Summer Olympics]] in Munich. They married on 19 June 1976, at [[Stockholm Cathedral]], in a ceremony officiated by the [[Archbishop of Uppsala]], Olof Sundby.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kilborn |first=Peter |date=20 June 1976 |title=Swedish Monarch Marries German as 150,000 Turn Out |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/06/20/archives/swedish-monarch-marries-german-as-150000-turn-out.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314105040/https://www.nytimes.com/1976/06/20/archives/swedish-monarch-marries-german-as-150000-turn-out.html |archive-date=14 March 2018 |access-date=26 April 2017 |work=[[The New York Times]] |page=3}}</ref> The wedding was preceded the previous evening by a Royal Variety Performance, at which, among other performances, the Swedish musical group [[ABBA]] gave one of the first performances of "[[Dancing Queen]]", as a tribute to Sweden's future queen.<ref>{{cite web |date=13 June 2012 |title=IN FOCUS: DANCING QUEEN |url=https://abbasite.com/articles/dancing-queen/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803034346/https://abbasite.com/articles/dancing-queen/ |archive-date=3 August 2020 |access-date=9 July 2020 |website=www.abbasite.com}}</ref>

Carl Gustaf and Silvia's first joint state visit was to the Netherlands, on 25 October 1976.<ref name=":3" /> In 1980, Carl Gustaf and his family moved to [[Drottningholm Palace]] west of Stockholm, although they continue to perform their official working duties at the Royal Palace of Stockholm.

King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia have three children and nine grandchildren:
*[[Crown Princess Victoria, Duchess of Västergötland]] (born 14 July 1977), who is married to [[Daniel Westling]] and has two children
*[[Prince Carl Philip, Duke of Värmland]] (born 13 May 1979), who is married to [[Sofia Hellqvist]] and has four children
*[[Princess Madeleine, Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland]] (born 10 June 1982), who is married to [[Christopher O'Neill]] and has three children

Prince Carl Philip was born the [[heir apparent]]. However, a constitutional reform, which was already underway at the time of his birth, made his elder sister, Victoria, the heir apparent and Crown Princess of Sweden when it took effect on 1 January 1980, making Sweden the first monarchy to adopt [[absolute primogeniture]] for its [[Succession to the Swedish throne|line of succession]].<ref>[[Statens offentliga utredningar|SOU]] 1977:5 ''Kvinnlig tronföljd'', p.16.</ref> Carl Gustaf expressed criticism at his son losing the position and title which he had from birth as a result of the adoption of said law.<ref>{{cite news |last=Peterson |first=Claes |date=24 November 2003 |title=Kungen: Grundlagen är lustig |trans-title=The King: The Constitution is funny |url=http://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/article10414639.ab |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029041230/http://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/article10414639.ab |archive-date=29 October 2012 |access-date=19 August 2012 |newspaper=[[Aftonbladet]]}}</ref>

=== Health ===
In February 2023, Carl Gustaf underwent "a surgical intervention with [[catheter]] technology in the heart area."<ref>{{cite web |last=Henni |first=Janine |date=20 February 2023 |title=Sweden's Royal Palace Releases Health Update on King Carl XVI Gustaf, 76, Following His Heart Surgery |url=https://people.com/royals/king-carl-xvi-gustaf-sweden-health-update-following-heart-surgery/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226034515/https://people.com/royals/king-carl-xvi-gustaf-sweden-health-update-following-heart-surgery/ |archive-date=26 February 2023 |accessdate=25 February 2023 |work=People}}</ref>

== Use of remaining power ==
[[File:Sveriges Nationaldag 2013-4.jpg|thumb|Carl Gustaf created a new Swedish double duchy for his daughter [[Princess Madeleine, Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland|Princess Madeleine]] (left) in 1982, whereas [[Christopher O'Neill|her husband]] in 2013 declined the king's offer to become a Swedish prince and duke, and is styled ''[[Herr (title)|Herr]]'' Christopher O'Neill in Sweden.{{relevance-inline|date=August 2025}}]]
So empowered as head of the [[House of Bernadotte]],<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bramstång |first1=Gunnar |title=Tronrätt, bördstitel och hustillhörighet |date=1990 |publisher=Juristförlaget i Lund |isbn=91-544-2081-4 |language=sv}}</ref> King Carl Gustaf, since he was enthroned in 1973, has made a number of personal decisions regarding the titles and positions of relatives and family members, including the demotion of a sister, elevation of several [[commoner]]s to royalty, rebuff of an elderly uncle's wishes and the creation of new Swedish titles and duchies.
* 1974: his sister [[Princess Christina, Mrs. Magnuson|Christina]] married a non-royal Swedish man and Carl Gustaf followed the example which his grandfather and predecessor had set for two of Christina's older sisters with like marriages, so Christina was removed from the [[Swedish royal family#Royal House|Royal House]], no longer a ''Royal Highness'' and was given the courtesy title ''Princess Christina, Mrs. Magnuson'' (a special non-royal, non-noble style first invented in 1953 by [[King Haakon VII of Norway]] for his granddaughter [[Princess Ragnhild, Mrs. Lorentzen|Ragnhild]]).
* 1976: his own choice, taking advantage of his constitutional prerogative as king when he married a non-royal German-Brazilian woman, saw her created ''Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden''.
* 1976: his paternal uncle [[Prince Bertil, Duke of Halland|Bertil]] (later that year) married the non-royal British woman who had lived with Bertil for decades, and (with Bertil's titles) Carl Gustaf created her a ''Royal Highness'' Princess of Sweden and Duchess of Halland.
* 1977: his daughter [[Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden|Victoria]] was born, and in 1980, Carl Gustaf created her Duchess of Västergötland (which has had duchesses before).
* 1979: his son [[Carl Philip]] was born, and Carl Gustaf created him Duke of Värmland (which has had dukes before).
* 1982: his daughter [[Princess Madeleine, Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland|Madeleine]] was born, and Carl Gustaf created a new duchy for her as Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland.
* 1983: his paternal uncle [[Sigvard Bernadotte|Sigvard]], since 1934 no longer Prince of Sweden because of a non-royal marriage to a German woman, supported by legal experts<ref>[http://wwwc.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/0105/14/kung.html Article] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020064118/http://wwwc.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/0105/14/kung.html |date=20 October 2017 }} by Petter Ovander in ''[[Aftonbladet]]'' 14 May 2001 quoting three attorneys</ref> announced his own title as ''Prince Sigvard Bernadotte'', 18 years later clearly citing a great-uncle [[Prince Oscar Bernadotte]]'s title as his main precedent;<ref>[https://www.svd.se/lang-kamp-for-prinstitel-forgaves Article] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020063817/https://www.svd.se/lang-kamp-for-prinstitel-forgaves |date=20 October 2017 }} by Anita Bergmark in ''[[Svenska Dagbladet]]'' 2 May 2002</ref> however, Sigvard died in 2002 with Carl Gustaf never having responded to his uncle's statement, and with the [[Royal Court of Sweden]] consistently refusing to honor it.
* 2003: his paternal grandfather's first cousin [[Prince Carl Bernadotte|Carl]] died, and Carl Gustaf formally recognized his Belgian title by allowing ''[[Prince Bernadotte|Prince]] Carl Bernadotte'' on the gravestone at the [[Kungliga begravningsplatsen|Royal Cemetery]] which is owned by the king; in 2014 he did the same there, allowing Carl's widow's name as ''Princess [[Princess Kristine Bernadotte|Kristine]] Bernadotte'' when she died.
* 2010: his daughter Victoria married a non-royal Swede whom Carl Gustaf created a ''Royal Highness'' Prince of Sweden and (with her title) Duke of Västergötland.
* 2012: his granddaughter [[Princess Estelle, Duchess of Östergötland|Estelle]] was born and created Duchess of Östergötland (which has had duchesses before).
* 2013: his daughter Madeleine married a non-royal British American who declined Swedish citizenship, and Carl Gustaf gave him the special courtesy title of ''Herr'' (with a capital h).
* 2014: his granddaughter Leonore was born and created Duchess of Gotland (which also previously has been a duchy).
* 2015: his son Carl Philip married a non-royal Swede whom Carl Gustaf created a ''Royal Highness'' Princess of Sweden and (with the son's title) Duchess of Värmland.
* 2015: his grandson Nicolas was born, and Carl Gustaf created a new duchy for him as Duke of Ångermanland.
* 2016: his grandson [[Prince Oscar, Duke of Skåne|Oscar]] was born and created Duke of Scania (which has had dukes before).
* 2016: his grandson Alexander was born (later that year) and created Duke of Södermanland (which has had dukes before).
* 2017: his grandson Gabriel was born and created Duke of Dalarna (which has had dukes before).
* 2018: his granddaughter Adrienne was born, and Carl Gustaf created a new duchy for her as Duchess of Blekinge.
* 2019: Carl Gustaf issued a statement rescinding the [[Royal highness|royal status]] of his grandchildren Leonore, Nicolas, Alexander, Gabriel and Adrienne in an effort to more strictly associate Swedish royalty to the office of the head of state; the five are still to be styled as princes/princesses and dukes/duchesses of their provinces, and they remain in the line of succession to the throne.<ref>[https://www.kungahuset.se/kungafamiljen/aktuellahandelser/aktuellt/forandringarinomdetkunglhuset.5.18cc416116d61fe304a869f.html Swedish communiqué] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506230127/https://www.kungahuset.se/kungafamiljen/aktuellahandelser/aktuellt/forandringarinomdetkunglhuset.5.18cc416116d61fe304a869f.html |date=6 May 2021 }} of king's decree 7 October 2019</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/media/pressreleases/pressreleases/communiqueonchangestotheroyalhouse.5.18cc416116d61fe304a87b6.html |title=Communiqué on changes to The Royal House – Sveriges Kungahus |publisher=[[Royal Court of Sweden]] |access-date=8 October 2019 |archive-date=29 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129080934/https://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/media/pressreleases/pressreleases/communiqueonchangestotheroyalhouse.5.18cc416116d61fe304a87b6.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.euronews.com/2019/10/07/sweden-s-king-removes-royal-titles-from-five-of-his-grandchildren |title=Sweden's king removes five of his grandchildren from royal house |date=7 October 2019 |website=euronews |language=en |access-date=8 October 2019 |archive-date=1 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801070209/https://www.euronews.com/2019/10/07/sweden-s-king-removes-royal-titles-from-five-of-his-grandchildren |url-status=live }}</ref>
* 2021: his grandson Julian was born and created Duke of Halland (which has had dukes before) with the same standing of 2019 as his elder brothers.
* 2025: his granddaughter Ines was born and created Duchess of Västerbotten with the same standing of 2019 as her elder brothers.

== Titles, styles, honours and arms ==
{{Main|Style of the Swedish sovereign}}
[[File:Royal Monogram of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.svg|thumb|100px|Royal monogram]]
Carl XVI Gustaf ended the centuries-old traditional style "King of Sweden, the [[Geat|Goths]] and the [[Wends]]", instead choosing the simpler title "King of Sweden" ({{lang|sv|Sveriges konung}}).<ref>{{cite journal |title=Nordisk kontakt |trans-title=Nordic Contact |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vxQdAAAAIAAJ |language=sv |journal=Nordisk Kontakt |year=1973 |volume= |issue=5–16 |page=809 |access-date=13 May 2021 |quote=Den nye kungen avgav vid konselj den 19 september den ålderdomliga kungaförsäkran och meddelade att hans namn och titel skulle vara Carl XVI Gustaf, Sveriges konung ( alltså inte som tidigare Sveriges, Götes och Vendes konung) }}</ref><ref name=":2" /> His [[Royal mottos of Swedish monarchs|personal motto]] is "For Sweden – with the times" ({{lang|sv|För Sverige – i tiden}}).<ref name="mottoenglish">{{cite web |title=The Royal Family: H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf |url=http://www.royalcourt.se/royalcourt/theroyalfamily/hmkingcarlxvigustaf.4.396160511584257f218000644.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021022235/http://www.royalcourt.se/royalcourt/theroyalfamily/hmkingcarlxvigustaf.4.396160511584257f218000644.html |archive-date=21 October 2007 |access-date=16 August 2012 |publisher=Royal Court of Sweden}}</ref><ref name="mottoswedish">{{cite web |title=Kungafamiljen: H.M. Konung Carl XVI Gustaf |trans-title=Kungafamiljen: H.M. Konung Carl XVI Gustaf |url=http://www.royalcourt.se/kungafamiljen/hmkonungcarlxvigustaf.4.7c4768101a4e8883780003.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607221509/http://www.royalcourt.se/kungafamiljen/hmkonungcarlxvigustaf.4.7c4768101a4e8883780003.html |archive-date=7 June 2011 |access-date=19 August 2012 |publisher=Royal Court of Sweden |language=sv}}</ref>

=== Regnal name ===
There have been only ten historical kings of Sweden named "Charles" ({{langx|sv|Carl}}). The numeral "sixteen" stems from an [[Historia de omnibus Gothorum Sueonumque regibus|erroneous genealogy that includes fictitious kings]], created by 16th-century writer [[Johannes Magnus]].<ref>{{cite book |url=https://runeberg.org/nfbm/0500.html |editor-last=Westrin |editor-first=Theodor |editor-link=Theodor Westrin |title=Nordisk familjebok: konversationslexikon och realencyklopedi |edition=Ny, rev. och rikt ill. |year=1910 |publisher=Nordisk familjeboks förl. |location=Stockholm |language=sv |id={{LIBRIS|8072220}} |page=943f |access-date=27 October 2008 |archive-date=30 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130120522/http://runeberg.org/nfbm/0500.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Arms ===
On his creation as Duke of Jämtland, Carl XVI Gustaf was granted an achievement of arms which featured the arms of Jämtland in base (these arms can be seen on his [[wikt:stallplate|stallplate]] as knight of the Danish [[Order of the Elephant]] at [[Frederiksborg Palace]]). Since his accession to the throne, he has used the [[greater coat of arms of Sweden]] although he is still associated with the ducal title of Jämtland he held as a prince.

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
|-
| {{center|[[File:Coat of arms Kronprins Carl Gustav av Sverige.svg|175px]]}}
| Arms of Carl Gustaf as Duke of [[Jämtland]] from 1950 to his accession
|-
| {{center|[[File:Great coat of arms of Sweden.svg|175px]]}}
| [[Arms of dominion]] of Carl XVI Gustaf as king
|}

=== Distinctions ===
{{See also|List of honours of the Swedish Royal Family by country}}

==== National ====
* {{flag|Sweden}}: Recipient of the [[Swedish Royal Jubilee Commemorative Medals|90th Birthday Medal of King Gustaf V]]<ref name="SvU1">{{cite magazine|author=Leif Påhlsson|title=Svenska utmärkelsetecken|magazine=Svensk Numismatisk Tidskrift|year=1988|pages=250–251|language=sv}}</ref>
* {{flag|Sweden}}: Recipient of the [[Swedish Royal Jubilee Commemorative Medals|85th Birthday Medal of King Gustaf VI Adolf]]<ref name="SvU1"/>
* {{flag|Sweden}}: Recipient of the [[Swedish Royal Jubilee Commemorative Medals|Wedding Medal of Crown Princess Victoria to Daniel Westling]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Kronprinsessans och Herr Daniel Westlings bröllopsminnesmedalj|url=http://www.ne.se/kronprinsessans-och-herr-daniel-westlings-br%C3%B6llopsminnesmedalj|work=[[Nationalencyklopedin]]|access-date=19 June 2013|language=sv|archive-date=12 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512223826/http://www.ne.se/kronprinsessans-och-herr-daniel-westlings-br%C3%B6llopsminnesmedalj|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Foreign ====
* {{flag|Argentina}}: Grand Cross with Collar of the [[Order of the Liberator General San Martín]] (1998)<ref name="ListOfOrders">{{cite web |url=http://www.kungahuset.se/kungen40/monarkinisverige/kungensordnar.106.4ea495e313c19c119aa242d.html |publisher=[[Royal Court of Sweden]] |title=Kungens ordensinnehav |trans-title=The King's orders and decorations |access-date=30 January 2017 |language=sv |archive-date=14 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314172155/http://www.kungahuset.se/kungen40/monarkinisverige/kungensordnar.106.4ea495e313c19c119aa242d.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* {{flag|Austria}}: Grand Star of the [[Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria|Order of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria, Special Class]] (1967)<ref name="ListOfOrders" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.parlament.gv.at/PAKT/VHG/XXIV/AB/AB_10542/imfname_251156.pdf |title=Reply to a parliamentary question |language=de |page=457 |access-date=16 October 2012 |archive-date=14 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414063518/https://www.parlament.gv.at/PAKT/VHG/XXIV/AB/AB_10542/imfname_251156.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
* {{flag|Belgium}}: Grand Cordon of the [[Order of Leopold (Belgium)|Order of Leopold]] (1977)<ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|Brazil}}: Grand Collar of the [[Order of the Southern Cross]] (2007)<ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|Brunei}}: Recipient of the [[Royal Family Order of the Crown of Brunei]] (2004)<ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|Bulgaria}}: Sash of the [[Order of Stara Planina]]<ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|Chile}}: Collar of the [[Order of Merit (Chile)|Order of Merit]]<ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|Croatia}}: Grand Cross of the [[Grand Order of King Tomislav]] (2013)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/latestnews/2019/2019/thekingholdsformalaudiencesfornewambassadors.5.7ce04b63167c576df6c11483.html |title=The King holds formal audiences for new ambassadors |publisher=[[Royal Court of Sweden]] |access-date=18 May 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803010453/https://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/latestnews/2019/2019/thekingholdsformalaudiencesfornewambassadors.5.7ce04b63167c576df6c11483.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* {{flag|Denmark}}:
** Knight with Collar of the [[Order of the Elephant]] (12 January 1965)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kongehuset.dk/monarkiet-i-danmark/ordener-og-medaljer/modtagere-af-danske-dekorationer/#oversigt-over-modtagere-af-danske-dekorationer |publisher=[[Royal Household of Denmark]] |title=Oversigt over modtagere af danske dekorationer |trans-title=Overview of recipients of Danish decorations |access-date=18 February 2022 |language=da |archive-date=18 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518072341/https://www.kongehuset.dk/monarkiet-i-danmark/ordener-og-medaljer/modtagere-af-danske-dekorationer/#oversigt-over-modtagere-af-danske-dekorationer |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="denmark">{{cite web |url=https://www.borger.dk/foa/Sider/Default.aspx?fk=26&foaid=10196277&paid= |title=Persondetaljer Hans Majestæt Carl XVI Gustaf |website=www.borger.dk |language=da |access-date=19 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120529065130/https://www.borger.dk/foa/Sider/default.aspx?fk=26&foaid=10196277&paid= |archive-date=29 May 2012}}</ref>
** Grand Commander of the [[Order of the Dannebrog]] (1975)<ref name="denmark" />
* {{flag|Egypt}}: Grand Cross with Collar of the [[Order of the Nile]]<ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|Estonia}}:
** Grand Cross with Collar of the [[Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana]] (1995)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.president.ee/en/estonia/decorations/bearers.php?id=12 |title=Estonian State Decorations, Carl XVI Gustaf |publisher=Website of the President of Estonia |language=et |access-date=19 August 2012 |archive-date=16 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016101223/http://www.president.ee/en/estonia/decorations/bearers.php?id=12 |url-status=live }}</ref>
** Grand Cross with Collar of the [[Order of the White Star]] (2011)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.president.ee/en/estonia/decorations/bearers.php?id=18078 |title=Estonian State Decorations, Carl XVI Gustaf |publisher=Website of the President of Estonia |language=et |access-date=19 August 2012 |archive-date=16 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016184531/http://www.president.ee/en/estonia/decorations/bearers.php?id=18078 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|Finland}}: Grand Cross with Collar of the [[Order of the White Rose]] (1974)<ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|France}}: Grand Cross of the [[Legion of Honour|Order of the Legion of Honour]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rosén |first1=Staffan |title=Kungaparets franska ordnar |trans-title=The King and Queen's French orders |url=https://www.kungahuset.se/specialwebbsidor/temasidor/statsbesokfrankrike/kungafamiljenochfrankrike/kungaparetsfranskaordnar.4.3e708146148cb83ad7e2d72.html |publisher=[[Royal Court of Sweden]] |access-date=18 May 2020 |language=sv |archive-date=31 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131065455/https://www.kungahuset.se/specialwebbsidor/temasidor/statsbesokfrankrike/kungafamiljenochfrankrike/kungaparetsfranskaordnar.4.3e708146148cb83ad7e2d72.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|Germany}}:
** Grand Cross Special Class of the [[Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany]]<ref name="ListOfOrders" />
** {{Flagicon|Saxe-Coburg-Gotha}} [[House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha|Ducal Family of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha]]: Knight Grand Cross of the [[Saxe-Ernestine House Order|Ducal Royal Saxe-Ernestine Saxe-Coburg and Gotha House Order]]<ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|Greece}}: Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Redeemer]]<ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|Holy See}}: Knight with the Collar of the [[Order of Pope Pius IX]]<ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|Hungary}}: Grand Cross (Military Division) of the [[Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary]]<ref>{{cite web | title=Kungen gav högtidliga audienser | url=https://www.kungahuset.se/arkiv/nyheter/2025-09-30-kungen-gav-hogtidliga-audienser/ }}</ref><ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|Iceland}}: Grand Cross with Collar of the [[Order of the Falcon]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://falkadb.forseti.is/orduskra/fal03.php?term=Carl%2C+Gustaf&sub=Leita |title=Order of the Falcon, search form |language=is |access-date=19 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528222053/http://falkadb.forseti.is/orduskra/fal03.php?term=Carl%2C+Gustaf&sub=Leita |archive-date=28 May 2013}}</ref><ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|Indonesia}}: [[Star of the Republic of Indonesia]], 1st Class (2017)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/05/22/jokowi-bestows-highest-medal-to-swedish-king.html |newspaper=[[The Jakarta Post]] |title=Jokowi bestows highest medal to Swedish king|date=22 May 2017|access-date=19 June 2017|archive-date=21 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180521204723/http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/05/22/jokowi-bestows-highest-medal-to-swedish-king.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|Italy}}: Grand Cross with Collar of the [[Order of Merit of the Italian Republic]] (1991)<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Italian Presidency website |url=http://www.quirinale.it/elementi/DettaglioOnorificenze.aspx?decorato=10695 |title=S.M. Carl XVI Gustaf il Re di Svezia – Decorato di Gran Cordone, Cavaliere di Gran Croce Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana |language=it |access-date=19 August 2012 |archive-date=28 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928013636/http://www.quirinale.it/elementi/DettaglioOnorificenze.aspx?decorato=10695 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|Japan}}: Collar of the [[Order of the Chrysanthemum]]<ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|Jordan}}: Grand Cordon with Collar of the [[Order of al-Hussein bin Ali]]<ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|Latvia}}:
** Grand Cross with Chain of the [[Order of the Three Stars]] (1995)<ref name="ListOfOrders" />
** Grand Cross of the [[Order of Viesturs]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vestnesis.lv/ |title=Par Viestura ordeņa piešķiršanu – Latvijas Vēstnesis |website=www.vestnesis.lv|access-date=24 June 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190411083056/https://www.vestnesis.lv/op/2014/61.18/|archive-date= 11 April 2019|date= 24 March 2014}}</ref>
* {{flag|Lithuania}}: Grand Cross with Golden Chain of the [[Order of Vytautas the Great]] (1995)<ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|Luxembourg}}: Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau]]<ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|Malaysia}}: Honorary Recipient of the [[Order of the Crown of the Realm]] (1996)<ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|Mexico}}: Collar of the [[Order of the Aztec Eagle]] (2004)<ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|Netherlands}}:
** Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Netherlands Lion]]
** Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of the House of Orange]]<ref name="ListOfOrders" />
** Commander of the [[Order of the Golden Ark]]<ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|Norway}}: Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the [[Order of St. Olav]] (1974)<ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|Poland}}: Knight of the [[Order of the White Eagle (Poland)|Order of the White Eagle]]<ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|Portugal}}:
** Grand Collar of the [[Order of Saint James of the Sword]]<ref name="ListOfOrders" /><ref name="portpres" />
** Grand Cross with Collar of the [[Order of Prince Henry]] (1987)<ref name="portpres">{{cite web |work=Ordens Honoríficas Portuguesas |trans-work=Portuguese Honorary Orders |title=Orders search form: to view results, type "REI Carlos XVI" in "nome", then click "Pesquisar" |url=http://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/?idc=154&list=1 |language=pt |access-date=16 October 2012 |archive-date=3 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130303144739/http://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/?idc=154 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|Romania}}: Grand Cross with Collar of the [[Order of the Star of Romania]] (2003)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://canord.presidency.ro/Ord.St.Rom..xls |title=Recipients of Order of the Star of Romania |format=ms xls |access-date=19 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328054109/http://canord.presidency.ro/Ord.St.Rom..xls |archive-date=28 March 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|Saudi Arabia}}: Grand Cross with Collar of the [[Order of Abdulaziz al Saud]]<ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|Slovakia}}: First Class of the [[Order of the White Double Cross]]<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Slovak Republic Website |url=http://www.slovak-republic.org/symbols/honours/ |title=State honours: 1st Class received in 2002 (click on "Holders of the Order of the 1st Class White Double Cross" to see the holders' table) |access-date=19 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413004835/http://www.slovak-republic.org/symbols/honours/ |archive-date=13 April 2016}}</ref><ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|Slovenia}}: Recipient of the [[Order for Exceptional Merits (Slovenia)|Decoration for Exceptional Merits]]<ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|South Africa}}: Grand Cross with Collar of the [[Order of Good Hope]] (1997)<ref name="Nat1997">{{cite web |url=http://www.info.gov.za/aboutgovt/orders/recipients/1997.htm |title=1997 National Orders awards |access-date=19 August 2012 |archive-date=15 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015131848/http://www.info.gov.za/aboutgovt/orders/recipients/1997.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|South Korea}}: Recipient of the [[Grand Order of Mugunghwa]] (2012)<ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|Spain}}:
** 1,183rd Knight of the [[Order of the Golden Fleece]] (1983)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/1983/04/20/pdfs/A10953-10953.pdf |title=Boletín Oficial del Estado |access-date=27 November 2016 |archive-date=16 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116145126/https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/1983/04/20/pdfs/A10953-10953.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ListOfOrders" />
** Knight of the Collar of the [[Order of Charles III|Royal and Distinguished Spanish Order of Charles III]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/1979/11/09/pdfs/A26058-26058.pdf |title=Boletín Oficial del Estado |access-date=27 November 2016 |archive-date=3 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003150241/http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/1979/11/09/pdfs/A26058-26058.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ListOfOrders" />
* {{flag|Thailand}}: 
** Knight of the [[Order of the Rajamitrabhorn]] (2003)<ref name="ListOfOrders" /><ref>ราชกิจจานุเบกษา, [http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/00122102.PDF ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์แด่สมเด็จพระราชาธิบดีคาร์ลที่ ๑๖ กุสตาฟ และสมเด็จพระราชินีซิลเวียแห่งราชอาณาจักรสวีเดน] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304033415/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/00122102.PDF |date=4 March 2016 }}, เล่ม 120, ตอน 4 ข, 7 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2546, หน้า 1</ref>
** Knight of the [[Order of Ramkeerati]] (2008)<ref>{{cite journal|journal=ราชกิจจานุเบกษา|volume=เล่ม 126|issue=ตอน 5 ข|pages=หน้า 1|title=ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์อันเป็นสิริยิ่งรามกีรติ ลูกเสือสดุดีชั้นพิเศษ และเหรียญลุกเสือสดุดี ประจำปี ๒๕๕๑|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2552/B/005/1.PDF|date=18 March 2009|accessdate=27 July 2019|language=th|archive-date=25 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125002837/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2552/B/005/1.PDF|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{flag|Tunisia}}: Grand Cordon of the [[Order of the Republic (Tunisia)|Order of the Republic]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kungahuset.se/kungafamiljen/aktuellahandelser/aktuellt/statsbesokfrantunisiendag1.5.6c3e0b0f150a889bfed3f4.html|title=Articolo |publisher=[[Royal Court of Sweden]] |access-date=5 November 2015|archive-date=2 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402203319/http://www.kungahuset.se/kungafamiljen/aktuellahandelser/aktuellt/statsbesokfrantunisiendag1.5.6c3e0b0f150a889bfed3f4.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{flag|Turkey}}: Collar of the [[Order of the State of Republic of Turkey]] (2013)<ref>{{cite web |title=Sweden {{sic|nolink=y|reason=error in source|Exlusive}} |url=http://www.abdullahgul.gen.tr/pages/visits/isvec-visits/ |publisher=abdullahgul.gen.tr |access-date=19 December 2020 |archive-date=26 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126051416/http://www.abdullahgul.gen.tr/pages/visits/isvec-visits/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* {{flag|Ukraine}}:<ref name="ListOfOrders" />
** Member of the [[Order of Liberty (Ukraine)|Order of Liberty]] (2008)
** Grand Cross with Collar of the [[Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise]]
** Grand Officer of the [[Order of Merit (Ukraine)|Order of Merit, 1st Class]]
* {{flag|United Kingdom}}:<ref name="ListOfOrders" />
** Stranger Knight Companion of the [[Most Noble Order of the Garter]] (1983)<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-06-17 |title=Who Is in the Order of the Garter? |url=https://www.aol.com/order-garter-093000557.html#:~:text=King%20Carl%20XVI%20Gustaf%20of%20Sweden&text=The%20King%20of%20Sweden%20joined,the%20Queen%20Mother,%20in%201985. |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=www.aol.com |language=en-US |quote="The King of Sweden joined in 1983 as a Stranger Knight. In this photo, he walks in the Garter Day procession alongside Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, in 1985."}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=List of the Knights of the Garter (1348-present) |url=https://www.heraldica.org/topics/orders/garterlist.htm |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=www.heraldica.org}}</ref>
** Recipient of the [[Royal Victorian Chain]] (8 July 1975)<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=COURT CIRCULAR |date=9 July 1975 |page=16 |issue=59443 |column=a}}</ref>
* {{flag|Yugoslavia}}: [[Order of the Yugoslav Great Star]] (1976)<ref>{{Cite web |title=HM The King |url=https://www.kungahuset.se/english/royal-house/hm-the-king |access-date=11 October 2024 |publisher=[[Royal Court of Sweden]] |language=en}}</ref>

=== Awards ===

==== Foreign ====
* [[United Nations Peace Medal]] (1976)
* [[World Organization of the Scout Movement]]: [[Bronze Wolf Award]] (1982)<ref name="wolfie">{{cite web |url=https://www.scout.org/BronzeWolfAward/List |title=List of recipients of the Bronze Wolf Award |publisher=[[World Organization of the Scout Movement|WOSM]] |website=scout.org |access-date=1 May 2019 |archive-date=29 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129053624/https://www.scout.org/BronzeWolfAward/List |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* {{flag|Japan}}: [[Golden Pheasant Award]] of the [[Scout Association of Japan]] (1980)<ref name="reinanzaka">{{Cite web |date=23 May 2014|script-title=ja:䝪䞊䜲䝇䜹䜴䝖日本連盟 きじ章受章者 |trans-title=Recipient of the Golden Pheasant Award of the Scout Association of Japan |url=http://reinanzaka-sc.o.oo7.jp/kiroku/documents/20140523-3-kiji-list.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811030258/http://reinanzaka-sc.o.oo7.jp/kiroku/documents/20140523-3-kiji-list.pdf |archive-date=11 August 2020 |website=Reinanzaka Scout Club| language=ja}}</ref>
* {{flag|Philippines}}: [[Mount Makiling#Hiking activity|Mount Makiling Award]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lbtimes.ph/2011/2014/01/28/bsp-honors-swedens-king-with-prestigious-mt-makiling-award/ |newspaper=Los Baños Times |title=BSP honors Sweden's king with prestigious Mt. Makiling Award |date=28 January 2014 |access-date=27 November 2016 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304093642/http://lbtimes.ph/2011/2014/01/28/bsp-honors-swedens-king-with-prestigious-mt-makiling-award/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Honorary military positions ===
* {{Flagicon|UK}} Honorary [[Admiral (Royal Navy)|Admiral]], British [[Royal Navy]] (seniority: 25 June 1975)<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=46627 |date=7 July 1975 |page=8697 |supp=y}}</ref>

== Patronages ==
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em
| 1=* [[Amref Health Africa|African Medical and Research Foundation Sweden]] (AMREF)
* [[Allmänna Idrottsklubben]] (AIK)
* ''Barnens Dags Riksförbund''
* Swedish Central Association for Sports Promotion (''Centralföreningen för Idrottens Främjande i Sverige'')
* ''Djurgårdens Hembygdsförening''
* [[Nationalmuseum|Friends of the Nationalmuseum]]
* [[Swedish Museum of Natural History|Friends of the Swedish Museum of Natural History]]
* Swedish Outdoor Association (''Friluftsfrämjandet'')
* Society of the Friends of the Swedish Institute at Athens (''Föreningen Svenska Atheninstitutets Vänner'')
* ''Föreningen Konstnärernas Vänner''
* Swedes Worldwide (''Föreningen för Svenskar i Världen'')
* Gastronomic Academy (''Gastronomiska Akademien'')
* [[Global Child Forum]]
* Gripsholmsföreningen
* [[Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna]] (IFK)
* ''Kulturen i Lund''
* [[Royal Automobile Club (Sweden)|Royal Automobile Club]]
* ''Kungliga Motorbåt Klubben''
* [[Royal Swedish Aero Club]]
* [[Royal Swedish Yacht Club]]
* Swedish Cancer Society (''Riksföreningen mot Cancer'')
* [[Royal Physiographic Society in Lund]]
* [[Royal Society of Sciences and Letters in Gothenburg]]
* [[Royal Society of Sciences in Uppsala]]
* [[Swedish Academy|Royal Swedish Academy]]
* [[Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry]]
* [[Royal Swedish Academy of Arts]]
* [[Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences]]
* [[Royal Swedish Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities]]
* [[Royal Swedish Academy of Music]]
* [[Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences]], and its annual [[King Carl XVI Gustaf Professorship in Environmental Science]]
* [[Royal Swedish Society of Naval Sciences]] (first honorary member, 1968<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.koms.se/content/uploads/2013/06/TiS-nr-4-1996.pdf |journal=Tidskrift I Sjöväsendet |title=Matrikel 1996 för Kungl. Örlogsmannasällskapet |year=1996 |number=4 |location=Carlskrona |language=sv |id={{LIBRIS|8258455}} |page=313 |access-date=29 May 2019 |archive-date=29 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529211154/https://www.koms.se/content/uploads/2013/06/TiS-nr-4-1996.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>)
* [[Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences]]
* Save the [[Visby Ringwall]] Campaign
* [[The Natural Step]] Foundation
* Association of Friends of the Drottningholm Court Theatre (''Stiftelsen Drottningholmsteaterns Vänner'')
* Keep Sweden Tidy Foundation (''Stiftelsen Håll Sverige Rent'')
* Stockholm Water Foundation
* ''Stiftelsen Svenska Flaggan''
* ''Stiftelsen Svensk Våtmarksfond''
* ''Stockholms Konserthusstiftelse''
* [[Stockholm Academic Male Chorus]]
* Svea Orden
* Swedish Archaeological Association (''Svenska Arkeologiska Samfundet'')
* Swedish Women's Auxiliary Veterinary Corps (''Svenska Blå Stjärnan'')
* Swedish Society for the Protection of Animals (''Svenska Djurskyddsföreningen'')
* Swedish Association for Hunting and Wildlife Management (''Svenska Jägareförbundet'')
* Swedish Kennel Club (''Svenska Kennelklubben'')
* Educational Swedish Swimming Association (''Svenska Livräddningssällskapet – Simfrämjandet'')
* ''Svenska Motionsdagen (Korpen Svenska Motionsidrottsförbundet)''
* Association of Friends of the Swedish Institute in Rome (''Svenska Rominstitutets Vänner'')
* [[Swedish Tourist Association]]
* [[The Guides and Scouts of Sweden]]
* [[Swedish Society for Anthropology and Geography]]
* [[Sweden–America Foundation]]
* Swedish General Art Society (''Sveriges Allmänna Konstförening'')
* ''Sveriges Hembygdsförbund''
* Swedish Forestry Association (''Sveriges Skogsvårdsförbund'')
* [[Swedish Bible Society]]
* [[Swedish Colonial Society]]
* [[Lions Clubs International|Swedish Lions]]
* [[Swedish Red Cross]]
* [[Rotary International|Swedish Rotary]]
* [[Swedish Sports Confederation]]
* [[Orphei Drängar|Sångsällskapet Orphei Drängar]]
* [[The Natural Step]]
* [[The American-Scandinavian Foundation]]
* [[Wilhelm Peterson-Berger]] Society
* [[World Scout Foundation]]
* [[World Wide Fund for Nature]] Sweden (WWF)
* Friends of the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities (''Östasiatiska Museets Vänner'')
}}<!-- end of {{columns-list}} -->

== Ancestry ==
{{ahnentafel
| collapsed=yes |align=center | ref=<ref name="eilers">Eilers, Marlene. Queen Victoria's Descendants. Rosvall Royal Books, Falkoping, Sweden, 1997. pp. 153–154, 157–158, 160–162. {{ISBN|91-630-5964-9}}</ref>
| boxstyle_1=background-color: #fcc;
| boxstyle_2=background-color: #fb9;
| boxstyle_3=background-color: #ffc;
| boxstyle_4=background-color: #bfc;
| 1= 1. '''Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden'''
| 2= 2. [[Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten]]
| 3= 3. [[Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha]]
| 4= 4. [[Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden]]
| 5= 5. [[Princess Margaret of Connaught]]
| 6= 6. [[Charles Edward, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha]]
| 7= 7. [[Princess Victoria Adelaide of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg]]
| 8= 8. [[Gustaf V of Sweden]]
| 9= 9. [[Princess Victoria of Baden]]
| 10= 10. [[Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn]]
| 11= 11. [[Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia]]
| 12= 12. [[Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany]]
| 13= 13. [[Princess Helen of Waldeck and Pyrmont]]
| 14= 14. [[Friedrich Ferdinand, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein]]
| 15= 15. [[Princess Karoline Mathilde of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg|Princess Caroline Mathilde of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg]]
}}

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Spoken Wikipedia|Carl XVI Gustaf.ogg|date=5 May 2005}}

=== Explanatory footnotes ===
{{notelist}}

== References ==
* {{Cite book |title=Ordenskalender |publisher=Sekreterareämbetet vid Kungl |year=1959 |location=Sweden |language=sv |trans-title=Order Calendar |oclc=64237341}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.kungahuset.se/english/royal-house/hm-the-king Royal Court of Sweden] – Official site

{{s-start}}
{{s-hou|[[House of Bernadotte]] | 30 April|1946|Living|name=Carl XVI Gustaf}}
{{s-roy|se}}
|-
{{s-bef|rows=1|before=[[Gustaf VI Adolf|Gustaf Adolf]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Crown Prince of Sweden]] | years=1950–1973}}
{{s-vac|next=[[Carl Philip]]}}
|-
{{s-reg}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Gustaf VI Adolf]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[King of Sweden]] | years=1973–present}}
{{s-inc|heir=[[Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden|Victoria]] | heir-type=Heir apparent}}
|-
{{s-end}}

{{House of Bernadotte}}
{{Swedish princes}}
{{SwedishThroneHeirs}}
{{Monarchs of Sweden}}
{{Sovereigns of monarchies}}
{{Heads of state of the European Union member states}}
{{Members of the Spanish Order of the Golden Fleece}}
{{Members of the Order of the Garter}}
{{Subject bar|portal1=Biography|portal2=Sweden|commons=y|q=y|d=y}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1946 births]]
[[Category:20th-century Swedish monarchs]]
[[Category:21st-century Swedish monarchs]]
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[[Category:House of Bernadotte|Charles 16 Gustav]]
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[[Category:People from Solna Municipality]]
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[[Category:Scouting and Guiding in Sweden]]
[[Category:Swedish Navy admirals]]
[[Category:Swedish Army generals]]
[[Category:Swedish Air Force generals]]
[[Category:Swedish Lutherans]]
[[Category:Swedish people of German descent]]
[[Category:Swedish people of French descent]]
[[Category:Uppsala University alumni]]
<!-- Honours : Sweden -->
[[Category:Commanders Grand Cross of the Order of the Polar Star]]
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[[Category:Commanders Grand Cross of the Order of Vasa]]
[[Category:Knights of the Order of Charles XIII]]
[[Category:Grand masters of the Order of Charles XIII]]
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[[Category:Collars of the Order of the Liberator General San Martin]]
[[Category:Extra Knights Companion of the Garter]]
[[Category:Grand Commanders of the Order of the Dannebrog]]
[[Category:Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour]]
[[Category:Grand Collars of the Order of Prince Henry]]
[[Category:Grand Collars of the Order of Saint James of the Sword]]
[[Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of the House of Orange]]
[[Category:Grand Crosses with Golden Chain of the Order of Vytautas the Great]]
[[Category:Knights of the Golden Fleece of Spain]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Grand Order of Mugunghwa]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the Liberator General San Martin]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Bronze Wolf Award]]
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[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of Pope Pius IX]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Grand Star of the Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, 1st class]]
[[Category:Grand Crosses Special Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany]]
[[Category:Royalty and nobility with dyslexia]]
[[Category:First Class of the Order of the Star of Romania]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the White Eagle (Poland)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Liberty (Ukraine)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Al-Hussein bin Ali]]