Sweden’s royals host Iceland President for state visit

The Swedish Royal Family has hosted the Icelandic President on a state visit to Sweden.

President Halla Tómasdóttir and her husband Björn Skúlason were welcomed to Sweden by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia at the Royal Stables in Stockholm. The quartet then rode in horse-drawn carriages to the Royal Palace.

A welcome ceremony was then held in the Inner Courtyard before the President met members of the Swedish government.

The welcome then moved inside where the President and First Gentleman were greeted by Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel and Prince Carl Philip in the Victoria Salon. A press conference with the President and King then followed, where Russia and Sweden joining NATO were discussed.

“Her Majesty the Queen and I deeply value the strong ties between Iceland and Sweden. Rooted in a shared history, we are ready to embrace a future of even closer cooperation. A future where our countries stand side by side, united by a common vision and commitment,” the King said in a statement.

The King and Queen hosted a private lunch for the presidential couple at the Royal Palace. Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel, Prince Carl Philip, Princess Madeleine and Mr. Christopher O’Neill also joined.

Queen Silvia and Mr Skúlason visited the Children’s Home and the Silviahemmet Foundation on day one of the visit, while the King and President met with the Coast Guard.

Photo: Clément Morin/The Royal Court of Sweden

A gala dinner was held in the evening in the Royal Palace’s Charles XI’s Gallery. The King and Queen were joined by their three children and their two sons-in-law.

As part of the Icelandic State Visit to Sweden, the King made the President a Knight of the Order of the Seraphim. Her husband was made a Commander of the Royal Order of the North Star.

This was the first state visit that Princess Madeleine and her husband had taken part in in several years. The couple previously lived in Florida with their children and relocated to Sweden last summer.

The President of Iceland is visiting Sweden from 6 May to 8 May.