King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden has been joined, virtually, by Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel at the annual Swedish Defence conference. The conference was this year digital due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the royals kept up their tradition of his attendance at the conference despite all three being in quarantine having tested positive for Covid.
On January 10th and 11th 2022, the King and Crown Princess attended digitally at the People and Defence National Conference 2022. The theme for the National Conference 2022 was sustainable choices in a changing security order. During the conference, ten various topics were discussed. The King and Crown Princess attended the conference from Drottningholm Castle and Haga Castle respectively as they continue their self isolation.
The seminar is run by the organisation “People and Defence” and is regarded as Sweden’s most important forum for discussions on security politics, defence and Swedish war preparedness. It is not just military participating in the seminar. In addition, politicians, civil organisations, professional organisations, the Swedish business community and representatives of several youth organisations were present along with the King at the seminar.
King Carl XVI Gustaf has a special role in Swedish defence. As most monarchs worldwide, he is his nation’s top military commander. The King completed his military service in 1968 when he graduated as a naval officer in the Royal Swedish Navy. Afterwards, he took leadership courses and became a Lieutenant in the Svea bodyguards, Navy, Air Force and the Jemtland regiment. After the King ascended the throne when his grandfather died, he achieved the rank of Captain for both the Swedish fleet, army and air force through military education. He was automatically General and Admiral when he became King.
