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Sweden

Swedish Crown Princess Couple visit Estonia

Yesterday, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden visited Estonia together with her husband, Prince Daniel. During their daylong visit, the royals were accompanied by Estonia’s President Kersti Kaljulaid. The occasion of the trip is to pay respect to the country’s 100th birthday.

During the visit, the Crown Princess Couple participated in the celebration of Estonia’s independence from the Russian Empire. As rest of the Nordic nations, Sweden has close relations to all the Baltic countries. Therefore, this visit means a lot for diplomatic relations between the countries.

The visit began with lunch in the Presidential Palace. For those who are interested in royal fashion, you could see the Crown Princess wearing some special colours. That is because she was wearing the Estonian colours – black, blue and white. Her special tribute-dress was designed by Dolce & Gabbana.

The Crown Princess inspects Estonian forces during the solemn arrival. Photo: Press Office of the President of Estonia / Vabariigi Presidendi Kantselei.

Following the arrival ceremony and the lunch at the Presidential Palace of Kadriorg, Prince Daniel and Crown Princess Victoria planted a tree in the park that encircles the Presidential Palace.

During the afternoon, the royals attended a worship service in St. Mary’s Cathedral before they met with members of the Swedish-Estonian population. The Estonian Swedes are a Swedish-speaking minority traditionally residing in the coastal areas and islands of what is now western and northern Estonia. The beginning of the continuous settlement of Estonian Swedes in these areas dates back to the 13th and 14th centuries. Almost all of Estonia’s Swedish-speaking minority fled to Sweden during World War II, and only the descendants of a few individuals who stayed behind are permanently reside in Estonia today.

The visit was concluded with a visit to the festival “Estonian Joint Singing Song Power”. The visit is part of a Baltic tour to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the countries. The visit to Estonia was their last visit to the Baltic nations this year. Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel visited Lithuania in February. They also visited Latvia in late April.

Also, the Dutch and the Norwegian royals have visited the nations this year to pay their respect to their independence and strengthen their political relationship.

About author

Senior Europe Correspondent Oskar Aanmoen has a master in military and political history of the Nordic countries. He has written six books on historical subjects and more than 1.500 articles for Royal Central. He has also interview both Serbian and Norwegian royals. Aanmoen is based in Oslo, Norway.