Part of the Kingdom of Sweden, from the High Middle Ages until 1809
Finland as an integral part of Sweden under the King of Sweden (Ruotsin kuningas).
Some texts suggest the Swedish rule of Finland started as early as during the Houses of Sverker and Eric (Sverker I of Sweden 1130–1156 and Eric the Saint 1156–1160). But the first historic documents suggesting rule by Swedish kings in Finland not limited to sparse crusades and conquests are dated at around 1249.
1792–1809 : Gustav IV Adolph (Kustaa IV Aadolf), Grand Prince of Finland
Grand Duchy of Finland ruled by the Russian Empire 1809–1917
The Grand Duchy of Finland, a state ruled by the Russian Empire (1809–1917) with the Emperor of Russia as the Grand Duke of Finland (Suomen suurherttua).
During the interregnum from the fall of Nicholas II to the end of the Finnish Civil War in spring 1918, sovereignty in Finland was exercised by the Finnish Parliament and, until the October Revolution and the declaration of independence, the Russian interim government. After the civil war, regents (valtionhoitaja) were appointed by the parliament and a new king elected.
In May 1918, President Woodrow Wilson stated that the U.S. “shall be willing to recognize the Republic of Finland only when she shows that she is not controlled by Germany, as she now seems to be".[1]
^During Svinhufvud's regency, Prince Frederick Charles of Hesse was elected as the King of Finland on 9 October 1918. He never took office and renounced the throne on 14 December 1918.