King Carl Gustaf Celebrates 71st Birthday

King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden turned seventy-one on April 30. There were official celebrations for his birthday at the Royal Palace in Stockholm.

The celebrations commenced with live music performed by the Swedish Marines, followed by the traditional salute at the Skeppsholmen. Children handed King Carl Gustaf flowers as he came out to the outer courtyard. Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel, Princess Estelle, Prince Oscar, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia were in attendance. Prince Alexander, the baby son of Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia, was also at the palace but did not make an appearance on the balcony.

Prince Carl Gustaf Folke Hubertus of Sweden was born on 30 April 1946 at 10:20am at Haga Palace in Solna. His parents were Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten and Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. He was christened at the Royal Chapel in Stockholm on 7 June 1946, his godparents being Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid of Denmark (then Crown Prince and Princess), Olav V of Norway (then Crown Prince), Queen Juliana of the Netherlands (then Princess), Gustav V of Sweden and Friedrich Josias, Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

On 15 September 1973, Carl Gustaf became King Carl XVI Gustaf after the death of Gustaf VI Adolf. On September 19, his regal assurance took place at a cabinet meeting.

King Carl Gustaf married Silvia Sommerlath on 19 June 1976 at Stockholm Cathedral. He was the first king to marry during his reign since 1797. The couple have three children: Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Carl Philip, and Princess Madeleine. They also have five grandchildren: Princess Estelle, Prince Oscar, Prince Alexander, Princess Leonore and Prince Nicolas.

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Tagged Birthday, Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.

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