King in Council (Sweden)

In Sweden, the term "King in Council" (Swedish: Konungen i statsrådet) refers to the collective body of the monarch acting formally together with the government. It represents the supreme executive authority of the country, even though the actual power and responsibilities are exercised by the government.

Historically, the King in Council held significant powers, making decisions on laws, appointments, and other key matters of state. Prior to the 1974 Instrument of Government, the King's personal role was more prominent.

Today, under the current constitutional framework, the role of the King in Council is largely ceremonial. The King's functions are mainly representative and symbolic. Government decisions are formally made at government meetings (regeringssammanträde), and the King attends these meetings as Head of State. The decisions reached at these meetings are formally recorded and attributed to the government, not to the King personally.

The term continues to be used in legal and official documents to signify the formal and collective act of governance. While the government holds the practical authority, the formal act of making decisions is still described as being done by the King in Council, highlighting the historical and constitutional continuity of Swedish governance. The process involves the government presenting its proposals to the King at these formal meetings. The King's signature is still required on certain formal documents, but this action is generally understood to be a formality, reflecting the government's decisions.