The Swedish Royal Family took part in the annual National Day celebrations today in Stockholm and Strömsholm. The royals making appearances today were King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel, Princess Estelle, Prince Oscar, Prince Carl Philip, Princess Sofia, Princess Madeleine and Chris O’Neill.
The day began with the opening of the Royal Palace of Stockholm by the King and Queen at 10.00. The Royal Palace has free entry throughout today in celebration of National Day. At the same time, Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel were at Strömsholm Palace to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Strömsholm Days; these are organised by Ridskolan Strömsholm.
A half an hour later, the King and Queen joined Prince Carl Philip at the Gustav III Antique Museum and attended the presentation of the scholarship after the competition under the theme “The Thinking Hand” which has been an exhibit at the Royal Palace. The exhibition was opened by the King in April, and Carl Philip was on the jury. Andre Olsson, Susan Whitlow and Rut Karin Zettergren were awarded scholarships during the event.
Prince Carl Philip also appeared at the Parade and the Changing of the Guard in the Outer Courtyard of the Royal Palace. Additionally, a 21-gun salute took place at 13.00.
Later in the afternoon, the Royal Family went by horse-drawn carriage from the Royal Palace to the celebrations at the museum, Skansen. Princess Estelle was excited about the carriage ride, and she took off running to the carriages while saying, “Hurry Mum!” Prince Oscar also made his first appearance in the traditional National Day carriage ride; he rode in the first carriage with the King, Queen, parents and sister. Prince Carl Philip, Princess Sofia, Princess Madeleine and Chris O’Neill were in carriage two.
The family travelled by Slottsbacken, Skeppsbron, Norrbro, Strömgatan, Kungsträdgårdsgatan, Berzelii Park, Strandvägen, Djurgårdsbron and Djurgårdsvägen. Upon arrival of the Royal Family, the announcer had the crowd give three cheers to the Royal Family before the national anthem was played.
There, His Majesty gave a speech, and a flag ceremony and folk music were performed. Various artists, including Marianne Mörck and David Lindgren, also performed on Solliden stage, in Princess Estelle’s first National Day concert. This was all televised live on SVT.
National Day will come to a conclusion this evening when the Royal Family hosts a reception for representatives of the government, parliament, parts of the diplomatic coalition and official Sweden at the Royal Palace.
Earlier today, the Royal Court released the traditional National Day photographs of Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar.
The Swedish Royal Family will be celebrating the christening of Princess Adrienne (the daughter of Princess Madeleine and Chris O’Neill) on the 8th at the Royal Chapel of Drottningholm Palace; we can expect her godparents to be announced sometime tomorrow.