So many expatriates enter Scandinavia and get so taken aback by the high level of political stability experienced there. In any case, Ukrainians still flee and try to find new homes in Scandinavia. Similarly. victims of war, political turmoil keep running away from Lebanon, Syria and West Africa to seek refuge in Scandinavia. So at the back of any reasonable person’s mind lies the question, what makes Scandinavia so stable? What roles does the Scandinavian royal families play? While no single answer can be enough, lets get learning.
Is there royalty in Scandinavia? Yes, Scandinavia has one of the oldest monarchies in the world, with the Norwegian monarchy rooting from 885 AD. In addition, the Scandinavian royal families are among the wealthiest in Europe. On top of the list is the British royal family of the late queen Elizabeth who passed on recently.
Did you know that earlier in 1380 to 1814, Norway was in a monarchical union with Denmark. However, it later united with Sweden from 1814 to 1905. After which the union was dissolved, and Prince Carl was chosen as their king, who reigned for almost 52 years.
Moreover, all the Scandinavian countries have constitutional monarchies. However, who heads them? They are headed by a king or queen. It is also important to note that their thrones are highly regarded both in Scandinavia and internationally. In this article we are going to dig deep into the royal families of Scandinavia which includes Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
The Norwegian Royal family comprises a royal house of Glucksberg. The house has several members including King Harald and Queen Sonja; Crown Prince Haakon; and Crown Princesses Mette- Marit and Princess Ingrid Alexandra. As someone who is part of the royal family, your kids automatically become part of the royal family.
Do you know the current Norwegian King? He is called King Herald. He ascended to power following the death of his father King Olav V in 1991. To read more about his achievement you can click here. According to the law, which was amended in 1990, the elder child of the king is the one to assume the throne. However, this only happens after the death of the father regardless of their gender. All in all, Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway will inherit the throne instead of Princess Martha Louise who is the first-born daughter of the king. Can you guess the reason behind it? It is because he is the first son.
Unfortunately, Crown prince Haakon’s marriage to princess Mette- Marit in 2001 brought mixed reactions in Norway. The reason is because she was a single mom with a dark past. All the same, the union has been successful, making her gain popularity as well as love in the country.
Furthermore, Marius Borg Høiby, Princess Marit’s first son from her previous relationship is also a member of the royal family. However, he has no title. Her second child, Alexandre Ingrid whom she got with prince Haakan is the second in line to inherit the throne. Prince Sverre Magnus, their second son, is also a member of the Norwegian Monarch.
Sweden
His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia are at the topmost position in the Swedish royal family hierarchy. They were blessed with 3 children. They are Crown Princess Victoria Ingrid Alice Desiree, Duchess of Vastergotland, Prince Carl Philip Edmund, Duke of Varmland and Princess Madeleine Thérèse Amelie Josephine, Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland. Apart from princess Josephine’s husband who refused to use the royal title, the other 2 children’s spouses and their children are all members of the Swedish royal family.
Furthermore, the Swedish royal family, the current King ascended to power after the death of his grandfather King Gustaf VI Adolf, his father Prince Gustaf Adolf had earlier perished in a plane crash. Historically, the Swedish monarch originated from Jean Baptiste Bernadotte, who came from Napoleon’s army in France. He was an adopted son of king Karl XII who had no heir.
In addition, Bernadotte changed his name to Karl XIV after succeeding king Karl XIII and was later succeeded by his first son Oscar I. Karl XIV reigned during the time Sweden and Norway were in union. And after the dissolution of the union, King Haakon, a maternal member of the Bernadotte, was chosen in Norway.
Denmark
The Danish monarchy is unique compared to other Scandinavian countries. It’s the first female monarch being ruled by Queen Margrethe II. She is the firstborn of King Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid of Sweden. Did you know that this means that she’s a first cousin to King Carl XVI of Sweden and a second cousin to King Harald V of Norway who descended from Denmark.
Following king Frederik’s failure to bear a son the Danish laws were amended. They were mainly amended to allow women to inherit power. It is through this that Queen Margarethe acquired power. She married Count Henri de Laborde de Montepezat (already passed on in 2018), a French diplomat whose name was later changed to Prince Henrik for it to sound Danish. The couple have two sons, Crown Prince Frederik who is married to Crown Princess Mary Elizabeth and Prince Joachim. Besides, the first heirs have 4 kids Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.
Over and above that, the Danish monarchy is said to have started beyond 1100 years ago. Making it to be listed among the oldest monarchies, with the current royal house occupying the throne since 1863. Besides that, it has spread roots all over Scandinavia and the rest of Europe through the many marriages between foreign heirs
The main factor bringing together the Scandinavian countries is that they have a common ancestor. When you go down to history, you will find that the current Scandinavian monarchies descended from among the nine children of Queen Victoria. She was popularly referred to as the grandmother of Europe, since six of the current monarchies directly descended from her. All the Scandinavian and the entire European royal families are either first, second or third cousins.
Furthermore, Scandinavian monarchies came from King Christian IX of Denmark whose other names were the grandfather of Scandinavia and father-in-law of Europe. Two out of the 6 kids king Christian bore are great grandparents of the current monarchs. The type of close relationship between the royal families can be confusing but when you analyze it, you will find that many of them married close relatives.
Aside from the close blood relationship, the royal families of Scandinavia are also great friends. They usually visit each other more often. Besides, all of them represent their countries internationally and take part in global matters such as charity works.
