Cabinet council. Photo: The Royal Court
The Kings functions and duties are defined in the 1974 Constitution Act, which also defines working procedures for the Riksdag (parliament) and Government. The 1974 enactment superseded the world's oldest constitutional law but one, second only to the Constitution of the United States.
The tasks entrusted to The King by the 1974 Constitution Act and Riksdag (parliament) Act are as follows:
1. ”The King is the Head of State” (this provision comes in Chap. 1, Section 5 of the Constitution Act).1.
2. He heads the special cabinet council held when there is a change of government, and also the regular ”information councils” of the members of the Government.
3. He opens the Riksdag every year.
The King opens the Riksdag. Photo: Pressens Bild AB
5. He is the foremost representative of the Swedish defence establishment and holds supreme rank in each of the service arms, as well as being honorary commander (Colonel-in-Chief) of certain military units.
6. As Sweden's foremost representative in relation to other countries, The King receives the credentials of foreign ambassadors and signs those of Sweden's ambassadors.
Photo: Anders Wiklund, Scanpix
By this principle, which Sweden is the first country to have introduced, the throne passes to the eldest child, whether male or female. Otherwise the main provisions of the 1819 Succession Act have been left unaltered.
The Crown Princess at the Nobel festivites. Photo: Pressens Bild.
Under a Riksdag resolution passed in November 1994, members of the Royal Family come of age at 18. The Head of State cannot be proceeded against in civil causes.
His status can only be altered through a constitutional amendment, which requires two Riksdag resolutions with a parliamentary election in between.
Funding for the activities of The Head of State is allocated by the Riksdag.
The King is now liable for taxation and, like other Swedes, he and his family are entitled to vote, though by tradition this right is never exercised.
