Monarchy of Norden

Monarchy of Norden
Monarchy of Norden
	Royal Coat of Arms
Incumbent
	Karl III; since March 14 1971
Details
Style	His/Her Majesty
Heir apparent	Prince Magnus
First monarch	Kristian IV
Formation	8 January 1702
Residence	Kristiansborg Palace; Månesø Palace; Hvitrheim Castle
Appointer	Hereditary

The Monarchy of Norden, officially the Monarchy of the Nordic Kingdom, and commonly referred to as the Nordic Monarchy is the monarchical and constitutional institution by which a hereditary sovereign rules as the head of state of the Nordic Kingdom and its dependent territories. The current monarch is Karl III who ascended the throne in 1971.

Historically, the Monarchy of Norden was an absolutist institution, with the monarch wielding significant political, economic, and military influence within the Nordic state. Though a legislative body in the form of the Rigsdagen existed, its political influence paled in comparison to the monarch. Throughout the Nineteenth Century, the Nordic monarchy gradually retreated from its position at the helm of state affairs, empowering the Rigsdagen and expanding the voting franchise. Nevertheless, as per the 1851 Parliamentary Constitution, the Nordic monarch retained significant political powers. These included: the right to declare war (and make peace), conclude treaties and alliances, accredit and receive foreign ambassadors, as well as represent the state overseas. The monarch also retained the power to convene the Rigsdagen as well as accede to the appointment of government officials and ministers. However, in the aftermath of the Great War and the abdication of Albert II the monarchy renounced most of its political privileges, becoming a ceremonial position in practice, whilst in theory, still retaining political power in the form of the royal prerogative.

Though the formation of the Nordic Kingdom in 1702 marked the dissolution of the old crowns of Dalland and Vitmärige, the new Nordic crown continued to utilise the numbering conventions of the Dalish crown. Thus, the first monarch Kristian was still referred to as Kristian IV, despite being the first of that name to sit the throne of the newly united kingdom.

Constitutional role

Succession

Succession to the Nordic throne is dictated by the law of Agnatic Primogeniture in which the heir to the throne is the closest living male relative to the monarch. With the Nordic laws of succession derived from Dalish law, descendence is traced only through male ancestors, with the most senior sons of the reigning monarch given priority over head of the family or brothers and their issue. Given that succession to the Nordic throne is traced only through the male lineage, this has traditionally prevented the Nordic throne and its ancestors the Dalish and Vitmar thrones from being inherited by other ruling dynasties. Nordic succession rules also provide a resolution for situations in which a suitable male heir cannot be identified. In such circumstances, Dalish law calls for a convention of the nobility in which the nobles of the realm may elect a new monarch in a manner akin to the ancient Things of the Viking age. This monarch could be any male, including foreigners, and their descendants would also automatically assume the throne under the law of agnatic primogeniture. In such circumstances, a two-thirds majority of all nobles are required to vote in favour of a particular candidate for them to accede to the throne. In 1876 this law was modified to only require a two-thirds majority in the Adelskammer for a candidate to be elected to the throne. This system of elective succession has only been utilised twice in Nordic history, both during the interregnum crisis of the Seventeenth Century.

The heir to the Nordic throne has traditionally been styled the "Prince of Lysnia" (Dalish: Prins af Lysnien), with the monarch's son traditionally awarded rulership of the County of Lysia prior to their ascension to the throne.

List of monarchs

Name	Birth	Marriages	Death
Kristian IV 8 January 1702 – 12 October 1756	4 April 1678 Rødby Palace Son of Hakon V and ???	Louise Elisabeth of Sohlnar-Reitersberg 30 July 1701	Nyhavn (now Kristianshavn) 12 October 1756 (age 78)
Kristian V 12 October 1756 – 4 March 1762	8 January 1704 Rødby Palace Son of Kristian IV and Louise Elisabeth	Josephine Sophia of Marnich-Karlsweil-Lauenburg 6 February 1722	Karlsborg 4 March 1762 (age 58)
George 4 March 1762 – 13 April 1805	10 September 1743 Kristiansborg Palace Son of Prince Rupert and Maria Louisa	Charlotte Leopolda of Gotia 2 April 1763	Kristiansborg Palace 13 April 1805 (age 62)
Albert I 13 April 1805 – 23 June 1811	4 August 1761 Kristiansborg Palace Son of George and Charlotte Leopolda		Kristiansborg Palace 23 June 1811 (age 50)
Harald IX 23 June 1811 – 1 November 1834	25 March 1770 Kristiansborg Palace Son of George and Charlotte Leopolda		Kristiansborg Palace 1 November 1834 (age 64)
Frederick VI 1 November 1834 – 25 December 1904	12 May 1820 Kristiansborg Palace Son of Prince Kristian and Catherine		Hvitrheim Castle 25 December 1904 (age 84)
Albert II 25 December 1904 – 14 March 1917	20 March 1885 Kristiansborg Palace Son of Prince Robert and Cristina	Augustina of Morleck and Eustria 7 November 1902	Flussmund 11 June 1951 (age 66)
Erik V 14 March 1917 – 9 November 1938	6 August 1859 Hvitrheim Castle Son of Prince Frederick and Amelia Martina		Kristiansborg Palace 9 November 1938 (age 79)
Frederick VII 9 November 1938 – 10 May 1942	11 November 1882 Kristiansborg Palace Son of Erik V and ???		Kristiansborg Palace 10 May 1942 (age 60)
Frederick VIII 10 May 1942 – 14 March 1971	17 June 1904 Månesø Palace Son of Frederick VII and ???		Kristiansborg Palace 14 March 1971 (age 67)
Karl III 14 March 1971 – present	8 February 1935 Kristiansborg Palace Son of Frederick VIII and ???	Anastásia of Mesana 9 June 1954	Living (age 89)