The Bernadottes

The House of Bernadotte reigned in Norway from 1818 until the dissolution of the union with Sweden in 1905. King Carl III Johan, who was born in France as Jean Baptiste Bernadotte, was the first of the Bernadottes to ascend to the Norwegian throne. Four Norwegian-Swedish kings were members of the House of Bernadotte: Carl III Johan, Oscar I, Carl IV and Oscar II.

King Carl III Johan

Carl III Johan was a marshal of France. He became the King of Norway and Sweden in 1818. He played a key role when Denmark was forced to cede Norway to Sweden.

King Oscar I

Oscar I succeeded Carl Johan as King of Norway and Sweden in 1844. He was the first king to reside in the Royal Palace in Oslo.

King Carl IV

Carl IV became King of Norway and Sweden in 1859, upon the death of his father, Oscar I. He was the first Bernadotte prince to be born in Scandinavia.

King Oscar II

Oscar II began his reign as King of Norway and Sweden in 1872. He was the last king of the union. In 1905, Norway withdrew from the union and elected a new king.