Celebrations have begun in Stockholm with a concert to kick off King Carl XVI Gustaf’s Golden Jubilee.
Drottningholm Palace’s Theatre was the setting for performances by the Royal Ballet, Royal Chorus, Royal Opera and soloists. Music by Bellman, Prince Gustaf and Mozart were performed.
Royal guests from across Scandinavia attended, including the King’s first cousins, Queen Margrethe of Denmark and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece. King Harald, who recently had a bout of bad health, and Queen Sonja of Norway were also in the audience.
The King and Queen Silvia were joined by their three children and their spouses. Two of their grandchildren, Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar, also attended, as did the King’s sister, Princess Christina and her husband, Tord Magnuson.
Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar’s attendance was not announced ahead of time.
Families of his sons and daughter-in-law, Prince Daniel, Princess Sofia and Chris O’Neill, were also spotted alongside some of the King’s nieces and nephews.
The guests walked to the theatre after a “pre-party” inside Drottningholm Palace, according to the Royal Court.
A private dinner was held after the concert; a larger banquet will be held on the evening of 15 September.
King Carl Gustaf ascended the throne on 15 September 1973 upon the death of his grandfather, King Gustaf VI Adolph. He has seen become the longest-reigning Swedish monarch.
