How was Freyr connected with the Swedish Ynglingar royal family?

In Germanic religion and mythology, Freyr is identified as the ancestor of the Ynglingar, the royal family of the Swedes. This connection is rooted in the concept of "divine kingship," where the god was once said to have reigned as a king of the Swedes himself, presiding over an era characterized by peace and prosperity.1

The association is further reflected in the god's alternative names, such as Yngvi or Yngvi-Freyr, which link him to the Ynglingar lineage. These mythological traditions are preserved in sources such as the Ynglingatal, an Old Norse epic poem contained within the Heimskringla by Snorri Sturluson. While these myths serve to legitimize the royal line through a divine connection, modern scholars often approach earlier interpretations of "sacral royalty" with caution.123