Anniversary event starts in Sweden – Kungliga Centralen
Photo: Sara Friberg/Kungliga slottet
The anniversary year of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden has officially begun, with the first official event surrounding the celebration.
The Royal Palace in Stockholm was the setting for the Swedish Dinner hosted by the King and Queen Silvia for those who have made significant contributions to Sweden.
Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia also participated in the event with government representatives from all of Sweden’s counties.
They were treated to performances by the Army’s band led by Fredrik Burstedt; they performed various music from the 16th century to the present day before premiering a new march composed by Erik Berndalen as a gift for the king’s 50th anniversary on the throne.
The royals and their guests then moved to Queen Lovisa Ulrika’s Dining Room before dinner where the Royal Family greeted their 200 guests before everyone took their seats in the White Sea ballroom.
Chef of the Year 2022, Jessie Sommarström, was responsible for the menu which included charcoal-grilled beetroot, baked Mälargös with glazed cabbage and baked winter apple with ice cream on artichoke.
The King gave a speech during the meal where he thanked those present for representing Sweden well and for attending the dinner. He said: “You’re not just representing your respective hometowns. You’re representing Sweden. And you’re all doing a great job for our country.”
He also encouraged them to interact with each other and make new friends and shared his and the Queen’s excitement about their plans to visit all of Sweden’s 21 counties during the jubilee year.
The first visit starts next month in Södermanland County.
The Swedish dinner is just the beginning of a very busy year for the Swedish royals who are celebrating King Carl Gustaf and the 500th anniversary of Sweden as a country.