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Sweden

The gilded gift from a king to friends and family marking a milestone

By
16th September 2023

The King of Sweden has presented a very special new medal to his family and visiting heads of state.

As King Carl XVI Gustaf became the first Swedish monarch to mark fifty years on the throne, he presented a Jubilee medal to those involved in his celebrations.

The gilded emblem could be seen on the special guests at the celebrations in Stockholm, including Queen Margrethe of Denmark and King Harald of Norway.

The Jubilee medal could be seen on Queen Silvia and Crown Princess Victoria during the Jubilee celebrations (SVT still / fair use)

The medal is filled with symbolism. It is a pentagonal shape with each of its five corners representing one of the decades that Carl Gustaf has reigned. It also has five stars on it, again one for each period of ten years he has been king.

On top of the medal is a royal crown and it hangs from a light blue ribbon of the Order of the Seraphim which bears five gold stripes for the five decades since Carl Gustaf took the throne.

Princess Madeleine wears her Jubilee medal during the banquet for her father’s 50 years as king (SVT/Screenshot/Fair Use)

The medal is made of silver and gilded and it bears a portrait of the King of Sweden by Ernst Nordin.

It was given to members of the Royal Household, the Royal Family, members of the court and distinguished visitors including royalty from Norway and Sweden.

King Carl XVI Gustaf marked the 50th anniversary of his reign on September 15th 2023.

Lydia Starbuck is a pen name of June Woolerton who has written extensively on royal history. Her book, A History of Royal Jubilees, is available now. She is also the author of a popular cosy mystery, All Manner of Murder.

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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.