Gustav V of Sweden - Definition and Overview

King Gustav V of Sweden, Oscar Gustaf Adolf (June 16, 1858 - October 29, 1950), was the eldest son of King Oscar II of Sweden and Norway. At birth he was created Duke of Wermelandia (Värmland). On December 8, 1907 he succeeded his father on the Swedish throne, which had been separated from the Norwegian two years earlier.

Gustaf V

Reign	December 8 1907-October 29 1950
Coronation	No coronation ceremony
Royal motto	"Med folket för fosterlandet" ("With the people for the motherland")
Queen	Victoria of Baden
Royal House	Bernadotte
Predecessor	Oscar II of Sweden
Successor	Gustav VI Adolf of Sweden
Date of Birth	June 16, 1858
Place of Birth	Drottningholm Palace
Date of Death	October 29, 1950
Place of Death	Drottningholm Palace
Place of Burial	Riddarholmskyrkan, Stockholm

He married Princess Victoria of Baden on September 20, 1881. She was the granddaughter of Sofia of Sweden, and her marriage to Gustav V united the reigning Bernadotte dynasty with the former royal house of Vasa.

During a series of scandals in the 1950s known as the Haijby affair, which was in turn a continuation of the Kejne affair, it came to public knowledge that the king was, and had always been a bisexual. This is said to have "made virtually no difference to his marriage".

Gustav V was the last Swedish King to intervene directly in the politics of the country, in 1914 on the disputes over defence budgets.

Gustav V was also a devoted Tennis player, appearing under the pseudonym Mr G.

Children

1. King Gustav VI Adolf (1882-1973)
2. Prince Wilhelm, Duke of Sudermannia (1884-1965)
3. Prince Erik, Duke of Westmannia (1889-1918)

Important

1. Opener of the 1912 Summer Olympics