King Gustav VI Adolf of Sweden – The Royal Central
When Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne on February 6, 1952, she joined a large group of European rulers. In this series, Royal Central looks at the men and women who ruled the continent when the longest reign in modern European history began.
King of Sweden Gustav VI Adolf
King Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden’s accession came less than two years before Queen Elizabeth II, but he had served as Crown Prince for 42 years before his reign began.
As the eldest child of King Gustav V, Gustaf VI Adolf spent his growing up years in Sweden and became Crown Prince at the age of 25. He inherited his throne just before his 68thth birthday, making him at that time the oldest heir in the world (a record that the current Prince of Wales surpassed in 2016).
Gustaf VI Adolf married Princess Margaret of Connaught in 1905 and together they had four children, including the heir Prince Gustaf Adolf and Queen Ingrid of Denmark. Princess Margaret succumbed to an infection in 1920 and Gustaf VI Adolf remarried Louise Mountbatten in 1923. Unfortunately, Prince Gustaf Adolf was killed in a plane crash in 1947, leaving behind four small children, including the current king, Carl XVI Gustaf.
After his reign began, Gustaf VI Adolf began working on reforms that would change the role of the monarch and give up the few remaining powers he had. He was known among the Swedish population, who saw him as a strong and gentle king.
At the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, Gustaf VI Adolf was presented by his son, Prince Bertil. Queen Elizabeth paid a state visit to Sweden during his reign, 8-10 June 1956. Gustaf VI Adolf was the Queen’s first incoming state visit, which lasted 28 June-1 July 1954.
King Gustaf VI Adolf passed away on September 15, 1973, at the age of 90, and was succeeded by his grandson Carl XVI Gustaf, who next year celebrates his golden anniversary.
During her 70-year reign, Elizabeth II has seen two monarchs in Sweden – King Gustaf VI Adolf and King Carl XVI Gustaf.