Royal mottos of Swedish monarchs

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The royal motto of the Swedish monarch is a Swedish royal tradition stemming from the early 16th century. All reigning monarchs of Sweden, beginning with Gustav I, have had their own mottos during their respective periods of reign. The Swedish royal motto in many ways is equivalent to a national motto. The tradition among Swedish monarchs, in common with the Danish and Norwegian monarchies, but different from that of most other modern European monarchies, is that the motto is not the same for one dynasty, but is personal to each monarch. Historically the royal motto has been used in connection with the Swedish coat of arms, and until 30 June 2017 it could be seen in print on the 1 krona coin. The new generation of coins does not feature a motto.

Contents

Gustav III was the first king to have his motto only in Swedish. Up until Adolf Frederick, the motto for every regent had been in Latin and Swedish (or, as in the case of Gustav II Adolf, in German). Due to the dissolution of the union between Norway and Sweden in 1905, Oscar II had to change his motto.

List

MonarchReignRoyal motto (in Swedish) English translation
Gustav I 1521–1560All makt är av GudAll power is of God
Eric XIV 1560–1568Gud giver åt vem Han villGod gives to whom He wishes
John III 1568–1592Gud vår beskyddareGod our protector
Sigismund 1592–1599För rätten och folketFor the justice and the people
Charles IX 1599–1611Gud min tröstGod my comfort
Gustav II Adolf 1611–1632Med Gud och segrande vapenWith God and victorious arms
Christina 1632–1654Visheten är rikets stödWisdom is the support of the realm
Charles X Gustav 1654–1660I Gud mitt öde - Han skall göra detIn God my destiny - He shall do it
Charles XI 1660–1697Herren är vorden min beskyddareThe Lord is become my protector
Charles XII 1697–1718Med Guds hjälpWith the help of God
Ulrika Eleonora 1719–1720I Gud mitt hoppIn God my hope
Frederick I 1720–1751I Gud mitt hoppIn God my hope
Adolf Frederick 1751–1771Statens välfärd, min välfärdThe welfare of the state [is] my welfare
Gustav III 1771–1792FäderneslandetThe fatherland
Gustav IV Adolf 1792–1809Gud och folketGod and the people
Charles XIII of Sweden,
Charles II of Norway
1809–1818Folkets väl min högsta lagThe welfare of the people [is] my highest law [lower-alpha 1]
Charles XIV John of Sweden,
Charles III John of Norway
1818–1844Folkets kärlek min belöningThe love of the people [is] my reward
Oscar I 1844–1859Rätt och sanningJustice and truth
Charles XV of Sweden,
Charles IV of Norway
1859–1872Land skall med lag byggasLands [or the land] shall be built with law
Oscar II 1872–1905Brödrafolkens välThe welfare of the brother peoples
1905–1907Sveriges välThe welfare of Sweden
Gustaf V 1907–1950Med folket för fosterlandetWith the people for the Fatherland
Gustaf VI Adolf 1950–1973Plikten framför alltDuty before all
Carl XVI Gustaf 1973–presentFör Sverige – i tidenFor Sweden with the Times

See also

Footnotes and references

    1. Compare with the motto of the U.S. state of Missouri (1821): "Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law". Originally from Cicero's De Legibus, Book III, Part III, Sub. VIII.

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