swedishroyals:

45 years ago today, on September 15, 1973 Carl XVI Gustaf became the King of Sweden.

In the Helsingborg Hospital, on September 15, 1973, at 20:35 the reigning monarch, Gustaf VI Adolf quietly passed away at the age of 90. His grandson, the 27 years old new King Carl XVI Gustaf went out that night to meet the press, his shoulder heavy with the sudden responsibility.

Also on that exact same day, Carl XVI Gustaf’s future son-in-law, Olof Daniel Westling was born. No one imagined that little boy would one day become the consort of King Carl XVI Gustaf’s heir, the future monarch of Sweden.

Earlier this year on April 26, 2018 Carl XVI Gustaf become the longest reigning monarch in Sweden’s history after surpassing King Magnus Eriksson’s record, who ruled as King of Sweden for 44 years and 222 days, between 1319 and 1364.