King in Council (Sweden)
Encyclopedia
King in Council, was a term used in Sweden
before 1975 when the new Instrument of Government (1974) came into force.
, which only the Holy Roman Emperor
earlier used. The prefix "Royal" was probably added to differ the title from the Imperial Majesty.
Originally the term Kunglig Majestät therefore referred to the Monarch personally but later only to him (her) as a Sovereign
in the Privy Council (Council of State)
(Swedish: Statsrådet "Council of State", before 1789 Riksrådet "Council of the Realm").
Most commonly, decisions in the council required the king's formal participation. But when the king was away in other countries or in remote parts within the country the Council of State could reign in his name (sections 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 in the Instrument of Government 1809
). After 1863 the heir apparent
, or if he was prevented the nearest in line to the throne could reign as Regent (Swedish: Regent) in the king's name. When there was no person in line to the throne available the Council of State alone again could reign in the king's or the crown's name. The same rules are today used in the new Instrument of Government when the king is prevented to fulfil his duties, but the title now is riksföreståndare, instead of Regent. "Riksförståndare" is a historic Swedish title with medieval roots.
The term Kunglig Majestät was also used by three courts acting on the king's behalf and using the king's seal according to section 23 in the 1809 Instrument of Government. This was a remnant from the Judicial committee – Justitierevisionen ("the Justice revision") of the Privy Council or the Council of the Realm (Swedish: Riksrådet), before the Supreme Court
was established in 1789.
The different uses of the term Kunglig Majestät were thus:
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
before 1975 when the new Instrument of Government (1974) came into force.
History of the term Kunglig Majestät
The term Kunglig Majestät was earliest in use in Sweden in the 16th century, when the King of Sweden and other kings in Europe began to use the title MajestyMajesty
Majesty is an English word derived ultimately from the Latin maiestas, meaning "greatness".- Origin :Originally, during the Roman republic, the word maiestas was the legal term for the supreme status and dignity of the state, to be respected above everything else...
, which only the Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Emperor
The Holy Roman Emperor is a term used by historians to denote a medieval ruler who, as German King, had also received the title of "Emperor of the Romans" from the Pope...
earlier used. The prefix "Royal" was probably added to differ the title from the Imperial Majesty.
Originally the term Kunglig Majestät therefore referred to the Monarch personally but later only to him (her) as a Sovereign
Sovereign
A sovereign is the supreme lawmaking authority within its jurisdiction.Sovereign may also refer to:*Monarch, the sovereign of a monarchy*Sovereign Bank, banking institution in the United States*Sovereign...
in the Privy Council (Council of State)
Privy Council of Sweden
The High Council of Sweden or Council of the Realm consisted originally of those men of noble, common and clergical background, that the king saw fit for advisory service...
(Swedish: Statsrådet "Council of State", before 1789 Riksrådet "Council of the Realm").
Most commonly, decisions in the council required the king's formal participation. But when the king was away in other countries or in remote parts within the country the Council of State could reign in his name (sections 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 in the Instrument of Government 1809
Instrument of Government (1809)
The Instrument of Government adopted on 6 June 1809 by the Riksdag of the Estates was one of the fundamental laws that made up the constitution of Sweden from 1809 to 1974...
). After 1863 the heir apparent
Heir apparent
An heir apparent or heiress apparent is a person who is first in line of succession and cannot be displaced from inheriting, except by a change in the rules of succession....
, or if he was prevented the nearest in line to the throne could reign as Regent (Swedish: Regent) in the king's name. When there was no person in line to the throne available the Council of State alone again could reign in the king's or the crown's name. The same rules are today used in the new Instrument of Government when the king is prevented to fulfil his duties, but the title now is riksföreståndare, instead of Regent. "Riksförståndare" is a historic Swedish title with medieval roots.
The term Kunglig Majestät was also used by three courts acting on the king's behalf and using the king's seal according to section 23 in the 1809 Instrument of Government. This was a remnant from the Judicial committee – Justitierevisionen ("the Justice revision") of the Privy Council or the Council of the Realm (Swedish: Riksrådet), before the Supreme Court
Supreme Court of Sweden
The Supreme Court of Sweden is the supreme court and the third and final instance in all civil and criminal cases in Sweden. Before a case can be decided by the Supreme Court, leave to appeal must be obtained, and with few exceptions, leave to appeal can be granted only when the case is of...
was established in 1789.
The different uses of the term Kunglig Majestät were thus:
- Kungl. Maj:t i Statsrådet ("The King in the Council of StatePrivy Council of SwedenThe High Council of Sweden or Council of the Realm consisted originally of those men of noble, common and clergical background, that the king saw fit for advisory service...
"), - Kungl. Maj:t i kommandokonselj ("The King in the 'Command Council' "), i.e. with military advisers (sometimes the Minister for Defence) from the Defence Department or MinistryMinistry of Defence (Sweden)The Ministry of Defence is a Swedish government ministry responsible for the national defence policy.The Ministry of Defence has existed in its present form since 1920...
(Swedish: Försvarsdepartementet) - Kungl. Maj:t i Högsta Domstolen ("The King in the Supreme CourtSupreme Court of SwedenThe Supreme Court of Sweden is the supreme court and the third and final instance in all civil and criminal cases in Sweden. Before a case can be decided by the Supreme Court, leave to appeal must be obtained, and with few exceptions, leave to appeal can be granted only when the case is of...
) - Kungl. Maj:t i Regeringsrätten ("The King in the Supreme Administrative Court [or Government Court]")
- Kungl. Maj:t i Kammarrätten ("The King in the Administrative High Court")
Current usage
Today it is used by the chapter of the Royal Order of the Seraphim Knights of Sweden which in Swedish is called Kunglig Majestäts Orden or Orders of His Majesty the King.See also
- History of SwedenHistory of SwedenModern Sweden started out of the Kalmar Union formed in 1397 and by the unification of the country by King Gustav Vasa in the 16th century. In the 17th century Sweden expanded its territories to form the Swedish empire. Most of these conquered territories had to be given up during the 18th century...
- List of Swedish monarchs
- Privy Council of SwedenPrivy Council of SwedenThe High Council of Sweden or Council of the Realm consisted originally of those men of noble, common and clergical background, that the king saw fit for advisory service...
- Royal Order of the Seraphim