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Sweden

A special honour for ABBA from the King of Sweden

King Carl XVI Gustaf has given a special honour to the four stars of Sweden’s music scene, ABBA.

The pop legends have become members of the Order of Vasa, one of the most prestigious orders of chivalry in Sweden. It’s the first time that new members have been created for half a century.

Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Reuss all become members of the Order for outstanding contributions to Swedish and international music.

They are made Commanders First Class of the Order.

The appointments are made by the King of Sweden on the advice of the country’s government.

King Carl XVI Gustaf hasn’t appointed anyone to the country’s orders of chivalry since the very start of his reign. In 2022, the Swedish government decided that appointments would begin again to recognise those who have contributed to Sweden.

Now, months after the king’s Golden Jubilee, appointments are being made again. There are four orders in Sweden – the Order of the Seraphim, the Royal Order of the Sword and the Royal Order of the Polar Star as well as the Royal Order of Vasa.

ABBA have long links with Sweden’s royal family and famously performed Dancing Queen as the country celebrated the marriage of King Carl XVI Gustaf to Queen Silvia in 1976.

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Jubilee and Associate Editor at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.