At 08:00, the three-tailed flag was raised at the Royal Palace. Photo: Clément Morin
Photo: Clément Morin
Open Palace
As is traditional, the Royal Palace was open to the public with free entry on Sweden's National Day. At 10:00, The Crown Princes Couple opened the palace's West Gate to the Outer Courtyard and welcomed the public to the National Day celebrations.
The Crown Princess gave a welcoming address to the members of the public who had gathered in the Royal Palace's Outer Courtyard. Photo: Henrik Garlöv/The Royal Court of Sweden
So much of our Swedish history and our incredible cultural heritage can be found here at our royal palaces. I am delighted that we can make this accessible, and that we can invite you here today.
“We hope that you all – adults and children alike – will have a wonderful day. With these words, we now open the gates to the Royal Palace and wish you all a warm welcome!”
HRH The Crown Princess
The Crown Princess Family welcomed the public to the Royal Palace. Photo: Pelle T Nilsson/SPA
Photo: Henrik Garlöv/The Royal Court of Sweden
The Armed Forces Music Corps played as the gates to the palace were opened. Photo: Henrik Garlöv/The Royal Court of Sweden
The King and Queen were welcomed to Strängnäs Cathedral by Dean Christopher Lundgren. Photo: Clément Morin
Strängnäs
The King and Queen began Sweden's National Day by visiting Strängnäs. The visit commemorated the 500th anniversary of the day on which Gustav Vasa was elected king in Strängnäs in 1523. The country then entered a new era which saw the formation of Sweden as a nation state.
Bishop Johan Dalman led the formal gathering at Strängnäs Cathedral. Photo: Clément Morin
The King and Queen were shown the regalia. Photo: Clément Morin
The celebrations in Strängnäs began with a formal gathering at Strängnäs Cathedral. The National Day celebrations then took place in Västerviken, where The King presented banners to ten associations and organisations.
The King and Queen walked to the National Day celebrations in Västerviken. Photo: Clément Morin
National Day celebrations in Strängnäs. Photo: Clément Morin
The King presented banners to associations and organisations. Photo: Clément Morin
The King then gave a speech, in which he said:
To those of you who have come to celebrate Sweden's National Day,
Today is a momentous day. We are celebrating Sweden's 500th anniversary as an independent nation. And this is where it all began. On Saturday 6 June 1523, Gustav Eriksson Vasa was elected King of Sweden in Strängnäs. […]
“Eventually, this resulted in the form of government that we have today. The foundations had been laid for our vital, multifaceted, democratic society.”
HM The King
The King gave a speech as part of the celebrations. Photo: Clément Morin
The King and Queen during the National Day celebrations in Västerviken. Photo: Clément Morin
Changing of the guard in the Outer Courtyard. Photo: Pelle T Nilsson/SPA
Changing of the guard
Prince Carl Philip attended the changing of the guard in the Outer Courtyard at the Royal Palace.
Prince Carl Philip and Supreme Commander Micael Bydén during the changing of the guard. Photo: Pelle T Nilsson/SPA
Changing of the guard in the Outer Courtyard. Photo: Pelle T Nilsson/SPA
After the changing of the guard, twenty-one gun salutes were fired from Skeppsholmen, Kastellholmen and HMS Kullen.
During the salute, a Jas 39 Gripen and an SK60 performed a flyover over the Royal Palace. Photo: Henrik Garlöv/The Royal Court of Sweden
The cortège arrives at Skansen. Photo: Clément Morin
Skansen
The Royal Family travelled by horse-drawn cortège to watch the National Day celebrations on the Solliden Stage at Skansen.
The King and Queen in one of the Royal Stables' carriages. Photo: Clément Morin
Photo: Clément Morin
The Royal Family with Speaker Andreas Norlén and Mrs Helena Norlén. Photo: Clément Morin
During the celebrations, The King presented banners to various associations and associations. The celebrations from the Solliden Stage were broadcast by Sveriges Television.
The King gave a National Day speech, in which he said:
To those of you who have come to celebrate Sweden's National Day,
“Together, we have created the state of independence that we are celebrating today. It is our nation's freedom during many centuries that we are commemorating.
“Let us strive to live in peace and freedom for many generations to come.”
HM The King
The King gave his traditional National Day speech. Photo: Clément Morin
Singers from the 'Barn Sjunger för Barn' project performed during the National Day celebrations. Photo: Clément Morin
Princess Madeleine and Princess Sofia took part in the National Day celebrations at Skansen. Photo: Clément Morin
The National Day celebrations on the Solliden Stage. Photo: Clément Morin
National Day reception and military tattoo
To mark this anniversary year, The King and Queen invited representatives from the Government, the Riksdag, the diplomatic corps and official Sweden to a National Day reception at the Nordic Museum.
The Royal Family came together on arrival at the Nordic Museum. Photo: Clément Morin
The King and Queen invited representatives from official Sweden to a National Day reception. Photo: Clément Morin
The King gave a welcoming address to the guests. Photo: Clément Morin
The evening concluded with a military tattoo at the Nordic Museum.
Photo: Clément Morin
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Photo: Clément Morin
The Royal Family and their guests on the steps at the entrance to the Nordic Museum. Photo: Clément Morin
