Sweden’s royal couple joins for a full day of events in Gothenburg – Royal Central
The King and Queen of Sweden has visited the city of Gothenburg. Although they met, they split up and attended their own events the day before they reunited to attend an event together.
At the new shipyard, at the beginning of his visit on October 15, 2021, the king participated in the name of the research vessel Skagerak, while the queen opened the newly renovated Queen Silvia Children’s Hospital. In the afternoon, the royal couple participated in the inauguration of the new organ in Gothenburg Concert Hall.
At Nya Varvet, the king was received by the rector and dean of the University of Gothenburg. The naming ceremony began with a speech by the governor and the principal. The king then gave a speech in which he said, among other things: “The goal is for this advanced floating laboratory to make our country a world leader in marine research, teaching and cooperation. That is a good ambition! I look forward to seeing it come true ”.
The king called the ship “R / V Skagerak” by dropping an ice bottle on the ship. After the naming, Professor Abrahamsson showed the king the ship. The King also had the opportunity to participate in a conversation with researchers in the marine field at the University of Gothenburg.
Upon arrival at Queen Silvia’s Children’s Hospital, the Queen was received by Professor Milsom, as well as the area manager and hospital director. During the visit, the Queen met staff and young patients in the therapy ward and also had a tour of the children’s intensive care unit. The inauguration ceremony was held in a glazed part of the hospital’s fourth floor and began with musical entertainment by the Gothenburg Opera’s children’s choir. Afterwards, there were presentations of the hospital’s operations and Annika Tännström, chair of the regional council.
In the Gothenburg Concert Hall, the royal couple was received by the CEO, artistic director of the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, CEO of the real estate company Higab, chairman of the board of Higab and chairman of the board of the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra. Professor Hans Davidsson, chairman of Gothenburg’s International Organ Academy, then played the organ and told the royals about its origins and unique functions.
The instrument, built by Rieger Orgelbau, together with an international group of organ experts, combines tradition with new technology and innovation. The organ is the only one in the world that has a separate bass organ under the audience’s feet with 40 large bass pipes. The construction means that the audience both hears and feels the low frequencies.