Herman Lindqvist writes in his column in Aftonbladet:
The majority of the Swedish people still support monarchy. The majority also wants the king to retire and let Crown Princess Victoria take over the throne, but as long as the king is alert and healthy the probability that he would voluntarily step aside is extremely small. No ruler of Bernadotte dynasty resigned prematurely.
Nothing prevents that King Carl Gustaf will be the first royal retiree, but it would cause some complications. Which title should he have? The king wouldn't be fired, so he could probably retain his title. He can regain his first title: Duke of Jämtland or why not Prince of Solliden? The castle is his private property.
What position should the retired king get in the Swedish ranking scale? As long as he's alive, he's still a member of the royal family. How is he as a former king then placed in official contexts? After Queen Victoria, but in front of crown princess Estelle? Common people think such problems are nonsense, but in the court and the official Sweden lists are important. Should he get a severance pay or just retire? Also the economic part must be discussed.
If the king resigns only to unleash Victoria, he can't remain in Stockholm. Victoria would probably not like an unemployed father watching over her shoulder. The simplest of all would be if he went into voluntary exile and settled for example, in southern France. He would also then need personal protection. A retired king may be at risk of becoming victim of madness, political attacks or exposed to kidnapping or other criminal acts. Not to mention protection against photographers and curious public.
The days in France can be expelled like Prince Bertil did. And he can take part in hunting seasons in Sweden and other countries. He can hang out with his royal relatives throughout Europe and visit children and grandchildren in Sweden, where he would probably hailed for his decision.
Does this life as a retired person draw Carl XVI Gustaf? Very little, everything hints to that.
Carl Gustaf ger knappast upp tronen Herman Lindqvist Kolumnister Nyheter Aftonbladet
From Helagotland
70 percent wants to keep the monarchy, while only 23 per cent want to abolish it. On the other hand, 60 percent want the king to hand over to Crown Princess Victoria - now or in five to ten years.
The position of monarchy is stronger than the position of monarch, which is not surprising after a year with partially ill-founded scandal writings.
The king is 66 years old. 40 years at the throne is celebrated with visits across the country. How long can he possibly have left? Qute long, unless he decides to abdicate. And handing over would be a break with tradition, it feels unlikely that he would do.
King's father, Prince Gustaf Adolf was only 40 when he died, but it happened in a plane crash. Otherwise, the family men tend to be rather old. His grandfather Gustaf VI Adolf was almost 91 years old. Great grandfather Gustaf V became 92, and uncles Sigvard, Bertil and Carl Johan 94, 84 and 95.
Carl XVI Gustaf has thus genes likely to remain for many years - perhaps 30 years or more - and he seems to be physically in good health.
Trettio år till med Carl XVI Gustaf - Opinion - Ledare - Hela Gotland
Translation