List of heads of state of Finland


This is a list of heads of state of Finland; that is, the kings of Sweden with regents and viceroys of the Kalmar Union, the grand dukes of Finland, a title used by most Swedish monarchs and Russian emperors, up to the two-year regency following the independence in 1917, with a brief flirtation with a truly domestic monarchy.

Kingdom of Sweden (until 1809)

Finland as an integral part of Sweden under the Monarchy of Sweden
Some texts suggest the Swedish rule of Finland started as early as during the Houses of Sverker and Eric. But the first historic documents suggesting rule by Swedish kings in Finland not limited to sparse crusades and conquests are dated at around 1249.

House of Bjälbo

House of Mecklenburg-Schwerin

Kalmar Union monarchs and Swedish regents

House of Vasa

House of Palatinate-Zweibrücken

House of Hesse

House of Holstein-Gottorp

Interim period (1917–1919)

During the interregnum from the abdication of Nicholas II to the end of the Finnish Civil War in spring 1918, sovereignty in Finland was exercised by the Finnish Parliament and the Russian Provisional Government. After the October revolution, the Finnish Parliament declared itself the sole repository of supreme power on 15 November 1918. The declaration of independence was given a few days later. After the Civil War, a regent was appointed by the parliament as a temporary head of state. Prince Frederick Charles of Hesse was elected as the King of Finland on 9 October 1918, but he never took office and renounced the throne on 14 December 1918.

Regents appointed by parliament