Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten

Swedish prince, heir apparent until his death (1906–1947); father of Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden

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Lived 1906–1947, aged 41Sweden

Sweden Historical Figures

Wikipedia
36 languages
Cross-language footprint
Era
1906–1947
Aged 41
Awards
6
recognised works

Summary

Updated 2026-06-21

Second in line to the Swedish throne for most of his life, he died in a plane crash at Copenhagen's Kastrup Airport nine months after the end of World War II—three years before his father became king.

Biography

About

Born 22 April 1906, Gustaf Adolf Oscar Fredrik Arthur Edmund was the eldest son of Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf (later Gustaf VI Adolf) and Princess Margaret of Connaught. He carried the title Hereditary Prince and stood poised to inherit the throne after his father. On 26 January 1947, his plane went down at Kastrup Airport in Copenhagen, killing him instantly. He predeceased both his grandfather and his father, who ascended three years later. His son became Carl XVI Gustaf, the current King of Sweden.

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