Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sweden’s National Day celebrations have to be altered. The Royal Family usually attends several events throughout the day; however, the Royal Court has revealed to Royal Central how things will be different in 2020.
“The Royal Court monitor the development of the coronavirus and follow the recommendations of the Swedish government and other authorities,” Ulrika Nasholm from the press office at the Royal Court tells us.
National Day is held annually on 6 June with the royals attending numerous events throughout Stockholm.
A member of the family usually opens the Royal Palace for the summer to the public; admissions to the palace on National Day are free. Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel frequently attend a citizenship ceremony while the King and Queen are at different events in the city.
Later in the afternoon, the Royal Family takes a carriage ride to the Skansen museum for an outdoor concert with thousands of other Swedes. In the evening, a reception is held at the Royal Palace by the Royal Family for representatives of the Riksdag (Sweden’s parliament), government, official Sweden and parts of the diplomatic corps.
Sadly, these events will not take place in 2020.
Ulrika Nasholm said: “The current rule in Sweden is that there cannot be gatherings with more than 50 people. Due to this restriction, the Royal Palace will unfortunately not be open for the public on June 6. Due to the same reason, the Crown Princess Couple will not visit any citizenship ceremonies.”
The Royal Court’s calendar has the King and Queen scheduled for an event at the Royal Palace in celebration of the national holiday, but no information has been provided. Previously, it was announced that the event at Skansen would be held virtually and the evening reception at the Royal Palace was cancelled.
Princess Madeleine, the youngest child of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, lives in Miami, Florida, with her husband and three children. Typically, her family spends the summer in Sweden, and she participates in the National Day celebrations. Travelling from the United States to Europe is difficult at the moment with COVID restrictions, and as a result, the Princess and her family’s visit to Sweden is in doubt.
“Regarding Princess Madeleine, as well as the other members of the Royal Family, we follow the recommendations and regulations made by the authorities,” the Royal Court tells us.
