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Sweden

Swedish Royal Family participates in National Day

The Swedish Royal Family took part in various events throughout Sweden for National Day yesterday on 6 June. King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel, Princess Estelle, Prince Carl Philip, Princess Sofia, Princess Madeleine and Chris O’Neill all took part in the various festivities.

The morning began with Prince Carl Philip opening the Royal Palace of Stockholm (also called Stockholm Palace) to the public for summer. Afterwards, the doors were opened, and the people were allowed in with free admission for National Day. Also during the morning, the King and Queen were at Kosta Boda to celebrate its 275th year. They then went to Växjö to take part in the National Day celebrations where the King gave a speech saying, “Today, on Sweden’s National Day, we have a lot to celebrate and cherish; The Swedish flag. Swedish democracy. The Swedish society. Yes, all that we value in our beautiful country.”

Photo: Kungahuset.se/Instagram

He also handed out the Swedish flag to associations in Kronberg County including to the Swedish Trans Association FPES.

Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel also visited Görvälns Castle in the Järfälla Municipality where a citizenship ceremony took place. The Crown Princess welcomed them as new Swedish citizens, “Today, on the National Day, we welcome a number of new Swedish citizens. You are now fully involved in Swedish society and in the community that citizenship involves. It is a community where rights and obligations are equal to everyone. But here everyone does not have to be the same. On the contrary, it’s the opposite: Our community holds differences. That’s what makes it strong!”

Prince Daniel and Crown Princess Victoria launched Generation Pep “Gen Pep” last year which focuses on encouraging children and young adults to be active and healthy. Gen Pep arranged activities at Stockholm Palace for children and adolescents for National Day. Prince Daniel was seen playing soccer with some of the young people at the Palace before joining the rest of the Royal Family for the carriage ride through the streets.

The Swedish Royal Family poses before their carriage ride to Skansen Museum. Gen Pep had arranged activities at the Palace for children and young people to encourage them to move. Photo: Kungahuset.se/Instagram

The royals were carried in three carriages to Skansen Museum in the evening for an event that included performances by Kristin Amparo and Frida Sundemo & the Abzorb Dance Group among others. Prime Minister Stefan Löfven also spoke. King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia were in the first carriage while Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel and Princess Estelle were in the second carriage. Prince Carl Philip, Princess Sofia, Princess Madeleine and Chris O’Neill travelled in the third carriage.

The day concluded with a reception back at Stockholm Palace for representatives of parliament, government, public Sweden and parts of the diplomatic corps. A tapto (military evening signal) then took place at Logården.

Princess Madeleine spoke about National Day yesterday night on her Facebook page saying, “My family and I had such a wonderful evening celebrating the Swedish National Day!”

Photo: Erika Gerdemark, The Royal Court, Sweden

Yesterday morning, the Royal Court released two new images of Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar as is the tradition on National Day.

About author

Brittani is from Tennessee, USA. She is a political scientist and historian after graduating with a degree in the topics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in December 2014. She also holds a master's degree from Northeastern University. She enjoys reading and researching all things regarding the royals of the world. She's been researching, reading, and writing on royalty for over a decade. She became Europe Editor in October 2016, and then Deputy Editor in January 2019, and has been featured on several podcasts, radio shows, news broadcasts and websites including Global News Canada, ABC News Australia, WION India and BBC World News.