He was the only son of the deposed King Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden (who had been overthrown in favor of his uncle Charles in 1808), and thus had a titular claim to the Swedish throne.
El era singurul fiu al regelui detronat Gustav al IV-lea Adolf al Suediei (care a fost răsturnat în favoarea unchiului ei, Carol în 1808) și pretendent la tronul Suediei.