The Bernadotte Dynasty: Discover the French origins of the Swedish monarchy -

Today, the Swedish royal family play a ceremonial role in the country's affairs. But that wasn't always the case. Long before the (current) Kung Carl, the Swedish royal court can trace its lineage back centuries as one of the oldest monarchies in Europe. Maybe what you didn't know, though, is that the court has a strong French connection. When the Riksdag needed to decide upon a King that Napoleon I of France would approve of, they elected a Marshal of France, Jean Baptiste Jules Bernadotte, a general of the French Revolution who came from Pau.

Intrigued? Click on to learn more about the Swedish royal family.

© Getty Images

The Swedish monarchy -

The Swedish monarchy dates back over a thousand years, with some historians estimating it came into existence in the early 10th century CE.

© Getty Images

The Swedish monarchy -

Scandinavian peoples have generally had kings since prehistoric times, with many of the only surviving accounts found in the Norse sagas, i.e. mythology.

© Getty Images

Runestones -

A small number of runestones are believed to mention kings, but there is no known chronicle of them prior to the 14th century.

© Getty Images

The impact of Christianity -

With the introduction of Christianity in the 11th century, the consolidation of power into the hands of the monarch began.

© Getty Images

Protestant reformation -

Gustav Vasa became Gustav I of Sweden in 1523. He established a reformed state church country, creating the Church of Sweden, and laying the foundation for the unitary state that exists in Sweden today.

© Getty Images

Hereditary monarchy -

In 1544 Gustav I oversaw the Riksdag of the Estates, designating his sons as heirs to the Throne. Under Gustav I's rule, taxes were reformed for farmers and Sweden's economic strength grew rapidly.

© Getty Images

Loss of the Finnish War, 1809 -

A major change came in 1809, when Sweden lost the Finnish War and with it, half of their territory. A coup d'état was led against King Gustav IV Adolf and his descendants.

© Public Domain

The childless King Charles XIII -

In their place, the childless uncle of the previous king was elected King Charles XIII. Legislative power came to be divided between the Riksdag (primary) and the king (secondary), putting an end to royal absolutism.

© Public Domain

Establishment of the Bernadotte dynasty -

In September 1810, the Riksdag (parliament) convened in Örebro to elect a crown prince, as King Charles XIII had no legitimate heir. 

© Public Domain

Napoleon I -

At the time, Emperor Napoleon I of France (Napoleon Bonaparte) controlled much of continental Europe, while his siblings ruled some client states. The Riksdag wanted to appoint someone he would approve of. 

© Getty Images

Jean Baptiste Jules Bernadotte -

Jean Baptiste Jules Bernadotte, a Marshal of France, was elected by the Riksdag as heir presumptive to the Swedish throne, on August 21, 1810.

© Getty Images

Napoleon connection -

Bernadotte had a strong Imperial connection via his wife, Désirée Clary, whose sister was married to Joseph, Napoleon's elder brother.

© Public Domain

Napoleon's reaction -

When he was first informed of the offer to Bernadotte, Napoleon thought the situation was absurd. However, he later lent financial and diplomatic support to his candidacy.

© Getty Images

A military talent -

During the French Revolution, Bernadotte exhibited great military talent. He played a significant role in the victory of the French at the Battle of Austerlitz.

© Public Domain

Generalissimo of the Swedish Armed Forces -

Baron Carl Otto Mörner, a Swedish courtier, advocated for Bernadotte to become regent. Upon his regency, he also became generalissimo of the Swedish Armed Forces.

© Public Domain

Charles Jean, King of Sweden and Norway -

Bernadotte acted as regent for the remainder of Charles XIII's rule, before becoming Charles Jean (Karl Johan in Swedish) as King. From February 5, 1818, until his death on March 8, 1844, Bernadotte reigned as Charles XIV John of Sweden and Charles III John of Norway.

© Public Domain

Swedish-Norwegian union -

Despite his connection to Napoleon, the pair had a turbulent relationship. In 1813 he invaded Denmark in order to knock out Napoleon's remaining ally in the North. Denmark ceded Norway to Sweden, which led to the Swedish-Norwegian War of 1814. Norway was defeated in a matter of days, and formed a union with Sweden until this agreement was peacefully dissolved in 1905.

© Public Domain

Coronation -

Upon Charles XIII's death on February 5, 1818, Charles John ascended the throne in Sweden and Norway. He was initially popular in both countries.

© Public Domain

Reign -

His domestic policy focused on economic investment. The population of Sweden grew significantly, national debt was paid off, and he is credited with beginning a policy of Swedish neutrality, as he adopted a policy of non-involvement in conflicts outside the Scandinavian peninsula.

© Getty Images

Death -

His reign ushered in a time of peace and prosperity in Sweden. Although liberal in his early years, he became more conservative with age. He was succeeded by his son Oscar I.

© Public Domain

A modest family from Pau -

The Bernadotte's were a modest family of artisans, from a district of Pau, close to the Pyrenees, in France. The descendants of Carl Johan's granduncle are still alive today in the general population of France.

© Shutterstock

Charles Jean's brother -

The younger branch of the family split in two. The first branch was made up of the King's older brother John (Jean Évangéliste) Bernadotte (1754–1813). They were barons with a seat at Louvie Palace in Pau, however, this line is now extinct.

© Public Domain

The Swedish Royal House -

The second of the younger branches of the French Bernadotte family is the Swedish Royal House, i.e. the current royal family.

© Public Domain

A ceremonial role today -

In 1975, the Swedish royal family lost all formal executive powers. These days, its role in Swedish society is largely ceremonial.

© Getty Images

A ceremonial role today -

As of 2023, the official Swedish Royal House includes King Carl, Queen Silvia, their children, and two of their grandchildren.

© Getty Images

Modernization of the monarchy -

The current King Carl XVI Gustaf celebrated his 50th year on the throne in early 2023. Over time, he has slowly reduced the role of the royal family in Sweden altogether.

© Getty Images

Modernization of the monarchy -

In 2019 Carl XVI Gustav stripped most of his grandchildren of their royal titles. Since then, the royal status of Crown Princess Victoria's children are the only ones to remain intact.

© Getty Images

Bicentenary of the Bernadotte Dynasty -

Prince Daniel of Sweden, Queen Silvia of Sweden, King Carl Gustav of Sweden, and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden posed with the Mayor of Pau, Francois Bayrou, at the City Hall on an official visit to France in 2018, to celebrate the Bicentenary of the Bernadotte Dynasty. 

Sources: (Britannica) (People) (Kungehuset.se)

See also: Are these the descendants of Vikings?

© Getty Images