Harald VI

Harald VI is a Swedish Gute ram who serves as the mascot for the Gotland Regiment and Gotland Battlegroup.
He is the sixth ram to hold the role, continuing a regimental tradition that began in 1979. Harald VI appears at regimental ceremonies and public events, where he serves as a symbol of Gotland's cultural heritage.

Life

Harald VI was born on 7 April 2017 in Fardhem, Gotland County, to local sheep breeder Katarina Amér. He belongs to the Gute breed, a heritage landrace native to Gotland that descends from the island's ancient horned outfield sheep and is regarded as one of Sweden’s oldest domestic sheep varieties.
As a lamb he was kept alongside his predecessor, Harald V, which accustomed him to human contact and ceremonial environments. Amér, who has long specialised in breeding Gute sheep, described Harald VI as being fostered "like an adjutant" by Harald V, and later as taking on a similar role with younger rams in her flock.

History

The Gotland Regiment is the only regiment in the Swedish Armed Forces to maintain a live animal mascot. The tradition of using Gute rams began in 1979 with Harald I, who was later promoted to second lieutenant after serving in ceremonies including the royal guard at Stockholm Palace. Since then, successive rams named Harald have represented the regiment, serving as living symbols of Gotland’s cultural heritage and sheep-farming traditions.
Following the sudden death of Harald V in September 2019, Harald VI was recruited as the next mascot at the age of two. He made his official debut in January 2020 at the ceremony marking the transfer of the Gotland Battlegroup's command from the Skaraborg Regiment to the Gotland Regiment.
Harald VI typically takes part in several regimental events each year, including parades, transfer ceremonies, and public celebrations. Before such occasions his owner, Amér, is informed of the schedule and duration of the assignment. For official duties he wears a specially made uniform in the M90 camouflage pattern.