King Oskar II

After the death of Oskar's brother Karl XV, he was crowned king of Sweden and Norway. In 1857, Oskar and Sofia were married in Biebrich, Germany. The couple had four children.

Oskar had a great interest in science, art and culture. He was particularly interested in literature, and published several collections of poetry.

Oskar II was a conservative king, and asserted the power of the throne against the Government and the Parliamentary Session. Strong parliamentary currents during his reign weakened the king's power over both foreign and domestic policy. Sweden experienced a period of industrialisation and rapid technological development, and social, political and economic problems began to emerge. Reforms were needed, and the issue of voting rights became increasingly topical.

Ultimately, in 1905, he also had to accept Norway's declaration of independence from Sweden and regarded this as a personal defeat. He died two years later.

Oskar II 1896. Photo from the Bernadotte Library's archive.