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Scandinavian monarchs celebrate Finland’s 100th anniversary

On Thursday, Their Majesties King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe of Denmark and Their Majesties King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden participated in the celebrations of Finland’s 100th anniversary as an independent nation in Helsinki, Finland.

The Danish and Norwegian guests travelled on their royal yachts, “Norge” and “Dannebrog.” They are anchored up next to each other in the Helsinki harbour, which is a very rare sight. The Swedish guests arrived by plane.

During the celebrations, the royals had breakfast in Helsinki City Hall; after breakfast, all of the guests came out on the balcony and waved to those assembled below who wanted to see the royal guests. From the balcony, they could see entertainment performed by more than 100 dancers.

Queen Margrethe of Denmark can be seen (far left) and King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden (far right) on the balcony of City Hall. Photo: @Hovikirjeenvaih (Twitter)/hovikirjeenvaihtaja.wordpress.com

The weather did not hold up for the day; it started sunny, but not before long, rain set in and colder temperatures. However, the royal guests on the balcony did not seem to mind.

Royals and guests from Iceland and Finland assemble on the balcony of City Hall. Photo: @Hovikirjeenvaih (Twitter) /hovikirjeenvaihtaja.wordpress.com

In addition to the royal guests, the presidential couple of Iceland, together with the Finnish presidential couple, were present. It has not been long since they last saw each other. Early in May, they all were gathered in Oslo for the celebration of 80th birthdays of King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway.

King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia at Helsinki City Hall yesterday. Photo: @Hovikirjeenvaih (Twitter) /hovikirjeenvaihtaja.wordpress.com

Not everyone is served three dishes for breakfast, but this happened in Helsinki for the royal guests yesterday. The first dish they were served was white fish and salmon in aquavit from Helsinki. Then they were served lamb with potatoes and wild herbs. For dessert during breakfast, they received strawberries, marinated in liqueur.

King Harald and Queen Sonja walking to Helsinki City Hall. Photo: @Hovikirjeenvaih (Twitter) /hovikirjeenvaihtaja.wordpress.com

King Harald gave a speech at the end of the breakfast, on behalf of the royal guests. King Harald said, “For Norway, Finland’s anniversary is a good opportunity to reflect on our Finnish heritage, our neighbourhood across the northern borders of our country, the immigration of kvens and ‘forest-fins,’ and the close relationship between the Sami people in Norway and Finland.”

Queen Margrethe arriving at Helsinki City Hall. Photo: @Hovikirjeenvaih (Twitter) /hovikirjeenvaihtaja.wordpress.com

Furthermore, King Harald said, “The anniversary has also been an opportunity think towards our future. The potential cooperation between Finland and Norway is far from exhausted. The good can be even better, the cooperation even closer and the contact even more frequent. ”

The guests also travelled to Sibelius Park during the day where they listened to two choirs in front of the Sibelius Monument. A celebratory dinner was also held in the evening at the Presidential Palace.

The Scandinavian royals arrive at Sibelius Park. Photo: @Hovikirjeenvaih (Twitter) /hovikirjeenvaihtaja.wordpress.com

Crown Prince Haakon of Norway was regent in Norway during this time, and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark was, as well, in Denmark. However, King Carl XVI Gustaf remained as regent since he was still in Europe.

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.