How the House of Nobility is governed

The House of Nobility’s organisational structure is based on the Riddarhus Decree, which was drafted for the first time in 1626. The assembly of nobles takes decisions concerning the business of the organisation and elects the executive board, which leads these activities with the support of chancery officials.

The Knighthood and Nobility consists of the families introduced into the House of Nobility.  Representatives of the families meet every three years at an assembly of nobles to take organisational decisions and elect the executive board, which governs the activities that take place from one assembly to the next.

The origin of introducing new members dates back to when nobility was once granted and then registered at the House of Nobility, with introduction fees paid.

The assembly of nobles takes decisions

The highest decision-making body is the assembly of nobles, which is held every three years. At the assembly, the head of each introduced family has the right to participate and vote. The family head is the first-born son of the first-born son and so on stretching back to the individual who was first knighted. The family head may, in a special sequential order, transfer his right of representation to another male family member. During the assembly, the activities are reviewed by a committee elected by the assembly. In addition to the work of authorised public accountants, this review provides an opinion on how the organisation’s activities have been conducted.

The executive board governs operations

The assembly of nobles takes a number of decisions on the direction for the coming three-year period. It also elects an executive board whose task is to ensure compliance with these decisions and secure the day-to-day operations. To manage these activities, the executive board has a chancellery headed by the Secretary of the House of Nobility.

The Riddarhus Decree and the Venerable Memorial

The House of Nobility’s activities are regulated by the Riddarhus Decree. The decree governs the meeting procedures of the assembly of nobles and the work of the executive board. The annual report issued during the assembly of nobles every three years is called “Vördsamma Memorialet” (the Venerable Memorial), colloquially “VÖM”.

A private institution

Until 2003, the Knighthood and Nobility were part of public law in Sweden, meaning that parts of the organisation were to be conducted in accordance with Sweden’s code of statutes. On 11 April 2003, Swedish parliament proposed a bill that abolished the public law status of the Knighthood and Nobility.

Financing

The capitation fee, an annual membership fee that has been required under the Riddarhus Decree since 1866, is to be paid by each adult male member who is a citizen and a resident of Sweden. Other (male) members living abroad etc., are welcome to pay the capitation fee if they want to contribute to the palace. If that is the case, please contact us at kansli@riddarhuset.se