Duchies in Sweden - Today

Today

In Sweden today, Duke (hertig) is considered a royal title, and is only given to members of the Royal House (currently Bernadotte). Such modern duchies have always been named for the historical provinces of Sweden, which are no longer governmental entities. Currently, there are five such duchies one of which includes two of the provinces:

  • TRH The Duchess and Duke of West Gothland (Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel)
  • HRH The Duchess of Östergötland (Princess Estelle)
  • HRH The Duke of Värmland (Prince Carl Philip)
  • HRH The Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland (Princess Madeleine)
  • HRH The Duchess of Halland (Princess Lilian), widow of Prince Bertil.

The titles are given for life, though they are not used by monarchs after accession to the throne; thus the titles have not been conferred on women who became Swedish queens by marrying kings, such as the current Queen Silvia. Unlike British duchies, for example, they are not hereditary. Wives of dukes are also created duchesses, a policy that now also applies to the husband of a duchess, following the 2010 marriage of Crown Princess Victoria to Prince Daniel.

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