Celebrations in Stockholm for King and Queen’s golden anniversary

Celebrations in Stockholm took place on Saturday for King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia’s golden wedding anniversary.

The King and Queen marked 50 years of marriage with a Te Deum, luncheon, a ride through Stockholm, and concerts at Kungsträdgården and the Royal Opera House.

The King and Queen were joined by their children, their spouses and their children (except Princess Estelle, who is abroad on a language trip). A handful of foreign royals also travelled to Sweden to celebrate the couple. These royals included King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway, Princess Benedikte of Denmark, Hereditary Prince Philip and Princess Danica of Serbia, and Princess Takamado of Japan.

A thanksgiving service took place in the Royal Chapel of the Royal Palace, led by Chief Chaplain Johan Dalman and Pastor of the Royal Court Assembly Michael Bjerkhagen. A lunch, hosted by Their Majesties, took place afterwards in Princess Sibylla’s Apartment at the Royal Palace for invited guests.

The King and Queen’s grandchildren also joined the lunch, and the youngest, one-year-old Princess Ines, stole the show with a large napkin tucked into her dress like a bib.

Their Majesties recreated their wedding photo in front of one of Queen Christina’s coronation tapestries. Instead of the wedding attendants, this time, the King and Queen had their children and grandchildren pose in the photo with them.

Recreations of wedding events did not stop there. King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia also rode through the streets of Stockholm in a carriage, as well as the Vasaorden down the Stockholm stream. They followed the same path that they did on their wedding day in 1976.

Screenshot/Fair Use

Two concerts took place as part of the festivities. First, the King and Queen attended the concert at Kungsträdgården, hosted by the city of Stockholm. The performances were described as “a musical journey of love through 50 years,” with music by the likes of Eric Gadd, Tensta Gospel Choir, Grymlings and Jill Johnson.

In the evening, another concert was held at the Royal Opera House. Guests were entertained by the likes of Elin Rombo, Daniel Johansson and Karl-Magnus Fredriksson. Others who performed were the Royal Swedish Ballet, the Royal Swedish Court Orchestra, and the Royal Swedish Opera Choir. At its conclusion, Their Majesties went on stage to thank all those who participated.

Screenshot/Fair Use

A private dinner for family and friends at the Royal Palace concluded the evening. Guests dined on a modern version of the 1976 wedding menu that included lightly marinated Swedish rainbow salmon and saddle of lamb with rosemary.

Much of the celebrations were broadcast live on SVT, and they will be available online until 10 December.