King Carl XVI Gustaf has overseen the official opening of the Swedish parliament, the Riksdag. The new parliamentary year has thus begun. The King was accompanied by Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel.
Before the ceremony in the Riksdag, the royals joined the Speaker of the Riksdag and the Prime Minister, as well as members of the Riksdag in the Great Church to attend the traditional cathedral service on the occasion of the opening of the Riksdag. Holding a service before the opening of the Riksdag is a centuries-old tradition. The service was led by Reverend Marika Markovits and Cathedral Chaplain Kristina Ljunggren. This year’s keynote speaker at the service was Academy member Tua Forsström. Music was performed by an ensemble from the Navy’s music corps and St. Jacob’s vocal ensemble.
Before the ceremony, the King, Queen, Crown Princess and Prince Daniel travelled in a horse-drawn procession from the Royal Palace to the Riksdag building, where Speaker Andreas Norlén received the royals on the stairs. At the parliament, grenadiers from the Life Guards and the Army’s music corps paraded and held a short concert in honour of the King.
During the ceremony His Majesty the King gave a speech in which he said: “This year it is 400 years since King Gustaf II Adolf founded the cities of Gothenburg, Borås, Sundsvall, Luleå and Piteå in one and the same year. Today, hundreds of thousands of Sweden’s inhabitants live in these cities. There are companies, authorities and universities. Decisions made in 1621 still shape our country today, four centuries later. I wish you, elected representatives of the people of Sweden, power, courage and wisdom in your important work. I hereby declare the 2021/2022 Riksdag open”.
Inside the Riksdag chamber, the opening ceremony began with the members singing the King’s Song. The President then requested that the King open the Riksdag. In conclusion, the King declared the Riksdag to be opened. During the ceremony, music was performed by Tuva B Larsen and Philip Jalmelid as well as members of The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The opening of the Riksdag ended with the assemblies singing the national anthem, after which the King and Queen, the Crown Princess and Prince Daniel, the Speaker, the Prime Minister, the Vice-Speakers, the Marshal and the Director of the Riksdag walked out to the tunes of the Grande Marche.
