Princess Christina is awarded one of Sweden’s highest awards – Royal Central
Jonas Borg / Kungl. The Court States
Princess Christina of Sweden served as the first lady in the Kingdom of Sweden from her mother, Princess Sibyllas, died in 1972 until her brother married Queen Silvia in 1976. At a ceremony at the Royal Palace in Stockholm this week, His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf handed over his sister Princess Christina His Majesty the King’s Medal of the twelfth size with diamonds in a chain.
Princess Christina of Sweden, the youngest of King Carl Gustaf’s four older sisters, receives the medal in recognition of her work for many years. This is the highest award that can be given to a Swedish citizen. Since 1975, the king can no longer hand out orders to Swedish citizens, except members of the royal family, but instead hand out this special honor, His Majesty the King’s Medal, which is available in several classes, of which the twelfth size with diamonds to be worn in a gold chain around the neck is the highest.
His Majesty the King’s Medal, formerly known as the Court Medal, has been awarded from the first half of the 19th century for special merits in society. The medal “Litteris et Artibus” was established in 1853 and is awarded for outstanding artistic contributions in mainly music, stage production and literature. A total of 32 medals were awarded at the ceremony, in which Her Majesty Queen Silvia also participated.
While the medal of the twelfth size in a chain is usually given to top officials such as former prime ministers, parliament speakers and archbishops, the version with diamonds has only been awarded to a royal once before. This was to Prince Bertil of Sweden on his 75th birthday in 1987.
Princess Christina of Sweden had for many years the unpaid job as chairman of the Swedish Red Cross, while she was a patron of a number of organizations and helped her brother by performing many public engagements until she retired from royal assignments on her 75th birthday. 2018.