Remember King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden’s historic wedding
The couple chose Stockholm Cathedral as their wedding venue, traditionally. The last royal wedding there took place in 1964, when Carl’s sister Princess Désirée left her HRH status at the altar to marry Baron Niclas Silfvershiold.
The young bride showed her expertise and asked Marc Bolan from Dior to create her dress, a simple design that included a high-necked and full skirt, as well as a dramatically long train. She was provided with two sentimental pieces that were passed on to her via her sisters-in-law, Princess Birgitta and Princess Désirée, who had worn them at their weddings. The first was Cameo Tiara, a famous and unusual heirloom that had once belonged to Napoleon’s wife, Empress Josephine, with cameo brooches and pearls. The other was a lace veil from Brussels, which originated in the 19th century, and which had since been transferred from bride to bride. She had myrtle twigs tucked into her veil, taken from a bush by Ulriksdal Castle.
Guests at the elegant wedding were royalty from all over Europe, including Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte of Luxembourg, Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik of Denmark, Queen Ingrid of Denmark, with the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
The couple would have three children, Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Madeleine. Their eldest would similarly write history, after the inheritance laws were changed so that she would inherit the throne before her younger brother.