No monarch before him sat on the Swedish throne for as long as Carl XVI. Gustaf. He has been his country’s head of state for 50 years now. This is now being celebrated. He is already being congratulated in advance from Germany.
Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf (77) celebrates his golden jubilee on the throne on Friday and Saturday. It is 50 years ago today since the now 77-year-old monarch ascended the Swedish throne. This will be celebrated, among other things, with an anniversary dinner with distinguished guests, a carriage ride through the capital Stockholm and a concert in front of the Royal Palace.
Carl Gustaf became King of Sweden after his grandfather’s death on September 15, 1973 – exactly 50 years ago. He was only 27 years old at the time. The fact that he was thrown into royal responsibility so early was also because his father died in a plane crash in Copenhagen in 1947. Carl Gustaf was less than a year old at the time.
Steinmeier: “The greatest respect”
The Swedish monarchy was in crisis at the time. Today, however, the royals of the Scandinavian EU country enjoy great popularity. This is largely due to Carl Gustaf’s wife, Queen Silvia (79), who comes from Heidelberg. The popular Crown Princess Victoria (46) and her siblings Prince Carl Philip (44) and Princess Madeleine (41) also contributed.
Carl Gustaf himself earned the respect of Swedes during his five decades on the throne. Today he is the longest-reigning monarch in Swedish history and one of the longest-serving officials in the world.
“In the half century of your reign, you have been able to give the citizens of Sweden support and orientation in a changing, united Europe – true to the motto under which you have based your reign: “For Sweden – with time” “, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier paid tribute to the jubilee in advance. “This not only requires intelligence and hard work, but above all it requires an inner attitude that particularly characterizes you, Your Majesty – self-confident and calm at the same time. I have the greatest respect for that.”
Celebrations in Stockholm
Many compatriots are also likely to show Carl Gustaf this same respect during the anniversary. The royal family is expected to attend a ceremony in the church of the Royal Palace in Stockholm this morning. Afterwards, Carl Gustaf attends the changing of the guard in front of the castle. In the evening, the monarch wanted to address his people in a televised speech. Other heads of state from Northern Europe as well as other royal and political guests were invited to a subsequent anniversary dinner.
Onlookers will have a good opportunity to see the king live on Saturday afternoon: Carl Gustaf and Silvia will then drive through the center of the Swedish capital in a horse-drawn carriage. After a short tour in the car, we return to the royal castle by rowing boat over the water. Afterwards, a free concert in front of the castle concludes the anniversary holidays. The two-time Swedish ESC winner Loreen (“Euphoria”, “Tattoo”) is scheduled to appear, among others.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
