When Prince Carl Philip (43) was born, a new crown prince was born, but changes in the line of succession meant that he himself never got to become king.
In a new SVT documentary, King Carl Gustaf (76) shares his thoughts on the decision.
– As a parent, I think it’s terrible, says the king.
Just over six months after he was born, the constitution changed so that the eldest child inherits the throne regardless of gender.
The constitutional amendment was already initiated when Crown Princess Victoria (45) was born, but only came into force a few years later.
It writes Aftonbladet.
BORN CROWN PRINCE: Prince Carl Philip was crown prince when he was born, but later the constitution was changed, so that older sister Victoria became crown princess. Here, King Carl Gustaf is pictured with his son when he married Sofia Hellqvist. Photo: Jon Olav Nesvold
– Quite strange
In the new SVT documentary “Sveriges sista kungar” King Carl Gustaf tells what he thinks about the decision.
– Having laws that work retroactively is not a good idea, I still think so. My son Prince Carl Philip was born and then suddenly they change it, so he loses everything. It is quite strange, I think, says the king.
Despite the fact that the king describes the decision that was taken as difficult, he says in an interview that he believes the change has been strengthening for the monarchy.
Nevertheless, he believes that it should possibly have happened before the next generational change.
Did not lead to discord
In the same documentary, it emerges that the Swedish court had requested an additional interview to clarify what the king actually thinks about the inheritance.
Here, Carl Gustaf stands by his criticism, but emphasizes that it has not led to a rift between the siblings. He also says that Carl Philip has taken it all well.
