 The cornerstone of Finland as a state was laid in 1809 at the Diet of Porvoo, where Czar Alexander I proclaimed himself constitutional ruler of the new Grand Duchy of Finland and promised to maintain the faith and laws of the land.The creation of a capital was a clear indication of the Czar's will to make the new Grand Duchy a functioning entity.On April 8, 1812 Alexander I declared Helsinki the capital of the Grand Duchy of Finland.