The Swedish Royal Family celebrated National Day with no restrictions for the first time in two years as the global health crisis subsides.
The day began with King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia in Blekinge for a celebration of Olofström’s 50th anniversary as a municipality. They visited Volvo Cars to learn more about the factories and materials for Volvo vehicles. The King and Queen also participated in celebrations at Holje Park, where the King handed out flags and gave a speech about celebrating Sweden and its future.
Each year, a member of the Royal Family officially opens the Royal Palace in Stockholm for visitors on National Day. Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel, Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar had the job of welcoming people to the palace this year, which offers free admission on National Day.
The Crown Princess welcomed everyone to the palace and revealed more rooms were set to be open than usual.
She said: “So much of our Swedish history and our fantastic cultural heritage is gathered in the royal palaces. I am very happy that we can make it available – and that today we can invite you to even more halls and rooms than we usually have the opportunity to.”
Inside the Royal Palace’s Inner Courtyard, Prince Carl Philip attended the Changing of the Guard.
In the evening, the royals took carriage rides to Skansen Museum – a tradition that had to be stopped during the pandemic. The King and Queen were joined by Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia in their carriage while the Crown Princess Family rode in the second carriage through the streets of Stockholm.
The family, minus Prince Oscar, then attended the official ceremony at the museum, with the King handing out honours to different groups and associations. He also spoke to those assembled and spoke of what the Swedish flag stands for – democracy.
“Our Swedish flag, the blue-yellow cross flag. It is the sign of Sweden, the symbol of our common home. You might think it’s old-fashioned to hoist a flag. And that may be true. But what the flag stands for is highly topical: our democracy. Our self-determination. The freedom to shape our own future,” he said.
There was a little mix up as His Majesty finished his speech when he mistakingly wished everyone a happy midsummer – instead of National Day. Midsummer is celebrated every late June in Sweden.
To conclude the celebrations, the Royal Family held a reception at the Royal Palace before the Army’s Music Corps performed the tapto at Logården.
Not all of the Swedish Royal Family was in attendance. Princess Madeleine and her family were unable to attend as they have not yet travelled to Sweden from their Florida home for the summer.
