King of Sweden turns 80

King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden marks his 80th birthday today on a grand scale.

Royals from across the world have flown in to Stockholm to celebrate His Majesty’s birthday on 30 April. Celebrations will include a Te Deum, the traditional military parade at the palace with flowers from children, a flyover, public congratulations, lunch at city hall and a gala dinner.

Attendees joining the Swedish Royal Family at the events include King Harald, Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon of Norway; King Rama X and Queen Suthide of Thailand; Queen Sofia of Spain; and King Frederik, Queen Mary, Queen Margrethe and Princess Benedikte of Denmark.

King Carl Gustaf was born on 30 April 1946 to Prince Gustaf Adolph and Princess Sibylla, but tragedy struck a few months later when his father was killed in an aeroplane crash in January 1947. When he was four, he became the heir to the throne after his grandfather, Gustaf VI Adolf, ascended the throne.

Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden

The King grew up in Haga Palace with his four older sisters, Princess Margaretha (b. 1934), Princess Birgitta (1937-2024), Princess Désirée (1938-2026) and Princess Christina (b. 1943).

He became the King of Sweden after his grandfather died in 1973, and not long after, a new law took effect that made the monarch ceremonial only.

Carl Gustaf married German-Brazilian Silvia Sommerlath in 1976, and together they have three children, Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Madeleine. They also have nine grandchildren: Princess Estelle, Prince Oscar, Prince Alexander, Prince Gabriel, Prince Julian, Princess Ines, Princess Leonore, Prince Nicolas and Princess Adrienne.