King Carl XVI Gustaf celebrates his 74th birthday on Thursday, 30 April 2020, but this year’s traditional celebrations at the Royal Palace have been cancelled.

This year, the public has no opportunity to write greetings the note lists between 1.00 pm and 4.00 pm, which are usually presented at the Palace in connection on the Kings birthday.

However, the Royal Court is encouraging wellwishers to post birthday greetings on their official website instead.

Coronavirus Pandemic

Many official engagements were cancelled with King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia spending time in isolation at Stenhammar Palace as they are in the most vulnerable age group.

King Carl Gustaf also gave a televised address to the nation on Sunday, 5 April, at 7.20 pm regarding the coronavirus pandemic.

He, like Queen Elizabeth, has conducted his audiences by telephone with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven for regular updates about national affairs.

Longest-Reigning Monarch

Carl Gustaf Folke Hubertus was born on 30 April 1946 at Haga Palace, the youngest of five children and the only son of Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf and Princess Sibyl of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

His father Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten, was killed in a plane crash on 26 January 1947 at Copenhagen Airport, when he was nine-months-old.

He became second in the line of succession to the Swedish throne, following his grandfather who later ruled as Gustaf VI Adolf from 1950 until his death in 1972.

Prince Carl Gustaf then became the heir apparent of Sweden as he grew up with his older sisters, Princesses Margaretha, Birgitta, Désirée and Christina, at the Haga Palace.

He had a private tutor during his preschool years, before attending the Broms School and at the Sigtuna Boarding School whilst in high school until his graduation in 1966.

He was dubbed as European Royalty’s most eligible bachelor with his names linked to various women, including actresses, film stars, socialites and even Britain’s Princess Anne, who was only 12 at the time.

In 1972, Crown Prince Carl Gustaf met Miss Silvia Sommerlath at the Olympic Games in Munich.

Carl XVI Gustaf became King of Sweden on 15 September 1973, following the death of his grandfather Gustaf VI Adolf, and adopted the personal motto, ‘För Sverige – i tides’ (‘For Sweden – With the times’).

They married in a lavish ceremony on 19 June 1976 at Stockholm Cathedral.

King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia have three children, Crown Princess Victoria (born 1977), Prince Carl Philip (born 1979) and Princess Madeleine (born 1982).

The Royal Family lived at the Royal Palace of Stockholm until they moved to Drottningholm Palace in 1981.

The King celebrated his Ruby Jubilee (40th Anniversary) of his reign in 2013.

He became Sweden’s longest-reigning monarch in April 2018, overtaking Magnus IV Eriksson’s rule of 44 years and 222 years and his great-grandfather Gustaf V’s reign of nearly 43 years.

King Carl Gustaf has travelled to Australia four times since 1967, including two state visits.

• 1967 – Arrived in Sydney during his time as a cadet in the Swedish Navy.
• 26 March-6 April 1982 – Opening Swedish Week at Centrepoint Tower in Sydney on 31 March with his sister Princess Christina and her husband, Mr Tord Magnusson.
• 7-12 November 2005 – King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia made a state visit to Australia in 2005.
• 17 to Sunday 20 March 2016 – He visited Melbourne to attend the 69th Baden-Powell Fellowship to present medals to young scouts.