A Duchy Fit For A Royal Baby

  February 26, 2016 at 6:30 am by

With the birth of Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel’s second child drawing closer and closer (and Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia’s first child due shortly after), speculation on what name and duchy the baby will be given has begun to gather speed – will he or she be given one with a close familial link, or will one of the six provinces to never have a royal duke finally have a titleholder?

Traditionally, Princes of the realm have been given one of the 25 historical providences of the country as a Dukedom, that is theirs for life and non-hereditary. Since the introduction of equal primogeniture in 1980, Princesses of the realm have also been given a duchy in their own right.

Presently there are seven dukedoms in use in Sweden: Jämtland, Västergötland, Östergötland, Värmland, Hälsingland and Gästrikland, Gotland and Ångermanland. This leaves 18 possibilities for the newest members of the Bernadotte clan, let’s take a look at some of the most favoured options!

The holders of the Västergötland, Jämtland, Värmland, and Hälsingland and Gästrikland duchies

Västerbotten: One of two duchies to likely hold the most sentimental value to King Carl Gustaf (who is the sole decision maker when it comes to Swedish dukedoms), it was the duchy held by his father, Prince Gustaf Adolf. The Prince died aged 40 in 1947, when his only son – and the only heir in the next generation – was not even a year old. Believed to be a fitting duchy for a child who will grow up at Haga Palace, the home of the previous Västerbottens.

Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten (1906-1947)

Halland: The second sentimental duchy, it’s last Duke was Prince Bertil, the King’s beloved uncle who forgo having a family of his own to ensure there was someone in the line of succession to be regent should an underage Carl Gustaf take the throne. Some anticipate this duchy will be held over for the first child of Prince Carl Philip, due to the close relationship between Carl Philip and Bertil, and that he inherited Bertil’s estate, Villa Solbacken.

Prince Bertil, Duke of Halland (1912-1997)

Södermanland: The duchy that has had the most holders (8) since it was first handed out in 1302. Among the previous holders there has been four Kings – Karl IX, Gustav II Adolf, Karl XVIII and Oscar I. It was last held until 1965 by Prince Wilhelm, son of Gustav V, who married Russian Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna.

Prince Wilhelm, Duke of Södermanland (1884-1965)

Öland: A duchy which has not had a holder since 1654, it is the smallest of the traditional Swedish provinces and the island where the Royal Family spends their summer vacation. A possible option for a baby whose mother celebrates her birthday with a concert in Öland?

Solliden Palace, the Swedish Royal Family’s residence in Öland

Dalarna: Prince Carl Johan, an uncle of King Carl Gustaf and the last surviving great-grandchild of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, is the most recent holder of this duchy. Though he died in 2012, Carl Johan ceased being known as Prince and Duke of Dalarna in 1946, when he married below his rank and lost his succession rights. It may be a nice choice for Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia’s firstborn, as Sofia grew up in the province.

Count Carl Johan Bernadotte af Wisborg, formerly Prince of Sweden and Duke of Dalarna (1916-1946)

The remaining duchies which have previously had a royal titleholder are: Dalsland, Närke, Skåne, Småland, Uppland and Västmanland.

The duchies which have never been held by a member of the royal family are: Blekinge, Bohuslän, Härjedalen, Lapland, Medelpad and Norrbotten. Four of these are in the north of the country, and two in the south. Just because these six have never had a royal duke, doesn’t mean they should be discounted in favour of one with a royal history – after all, King Carl Gustaf gave his first grandson, Prince Nicolas, the duchy of Ångermanland, which never previously had a duke.

So, what do we all think? Will it be a sentimental favourite, a royal outlier or a first-timer for the two upcoming Swedish infants – share your thoughts below or join the discussion here.

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