 On 18 October 2007, Nilsson was appointed head of the Unit for Military Defense in the Ministry of Defence, the unit which prepares cases and questions on planning, managing and monitoring the military defense's tasks, ability, and operations.Nilsson was appointed First Marshal of the Court on 1 January 2012, in charge of planning the Swedish royal family's official program and representation.In 1987, Nilsson married Anna, a nurse, and together they have two children.