Sara Friberg / Kungl. The Court States

King Carl XVI Gustaf spoke to the Swedish people on Christmas night and focused on the benefits of science and research while sharing his hopes for the future.

He first remarked on how he and the queen sent telegrams to over 1,500 Swedes who turned 100 this year and how unusual it used to be to reach such a milestone. The king said that many of those born now will be able to celebrate their 100th anniversary and called it an “absolutely fantastic development”.

His Majesty remarked on how those who turned 100 were born in the same year as the Swedish Riksdag held an election with universal suffrage – to elect the first five women to the Riksdag. He said: “Through this change, Sweden took a decisive step towards becoming the country we are today.”

The king then mentioned how Sweden has its first female prime minister in office now and his pride in it.

King Carl Gustaf then explained that the reason why so many people can live to see their 100th anniversary is due to developments in research, science and healthcare.

The king shared his discussions with a cancer researcher about treatments that the researcher hopes to be able to give to patients that allow patients to live longer. He then said: “But the really big thing, he said, is that every step of the way lays the foundation for new discoveries – so that people can have several years, or even decades, to live on together.”

Of course, as the global health crisis continues, His Majesty commented on the vaccines and treatments for the virus that have been developed to help the world control it a little better.

Carl Gustaf then emphasized: “Research saves and prolongs human life. I have a hard time imagining a more meaningful business. If I can hope for anything in the future, it is precisely that more young people in our country should devote their energy and creativity to further driving science – and our entire society – forward. “

The King went on to talk about the trips to each of Sweden’s counties that the Royal Family has made and his respect for charity, authorities and healthcare that has done so much in the last two years. He also made sure to express his condolences to those who have lost loved ones.

King Carl Gustaf said he hopes those who go through grief can find happiness in the new year: “I can not say anything that fills that void. But I still want to send you a greeting and a thought in this way. I hope “that as many as possible in our country can face the new year with hope and confidence. But let us also have the courage to see and help those who are having a hard time.”

He then ended by wishing the Swedes a Merry Christmas and a New Year.

The King’s speech was broadcast on SVT from Princess Sibylla’s Apartment in the Royal Palace in Stockholm.