Lydia Starbuck

The King of Sweden has presented a very special new medal to his family and visiting heads of state. As King Carl XVI Gustaf became the first Swedish monarch to mark fifty years on the throne, he presented a Jubilee medal to those involved in his celebrations. The gilded emblem could be seen on the special guests at the celebrations in Stockholm, including Queen Margrethe of Denmark and King…

King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden has remembered his predecessor as monarch in a speech to parliament that marked the beginning of his Golden Jubilee. Just hours before official celebrations for the milestone were due to begin, the Swedish king spoke to his country’s politicians as he officially opened the new parliamentary year. And he spoke movingly of the time, half a century ago, when he…

In December 1947, the King of Sweden sat down for an official portrait. Around him were close family members including the ageing heir to his throne and a young child who already had a life of royal duty laid out before him. The picture had been a long time in the planning but it had turned out very differently from expectations. The portrait was meant to be part of celebrations for King Gustaf…