European royals turn out in force to celebrate King Carl Gustaf of Sweden’s Golden Jubilee
The European royal family has attended en masse to celebrate the golden jubilee of King Carl Gustaf’s 50th birthday in Stockholm.
Carl Gustaf, 77, is the first king in the more than 1,000-year history of the Swedish monarchy to have been on the throne for 50 years.
And after the death of Queen Elizabeth II last year he became the second longest-reigning European monarch alive today, after Queen Margrethe, who celebrated her 50th anniversary on the throne of Denmark last year.
The anniversary consists of four days of celebration that culminates in a military parade through the capital.
Queen Margrethe of Denmark arrived for the festivities on Thursday with her son Crown Prince Frederik, 55, and his wife Princess Mary, 51.
Crown Prince Frederik looked dapper in a sage green jacket and gray trousers as he arrived for the festivities
Crown Princess Mary looked typically stylish in a beige suit that she paired with a white T-shirt
King Carl
Meanwhile, Queen Anne-Marie of Greece was also among the dignitaries on the guest list for the anniversary events.
King Carl’s niece, Queen Margrethe, looked chic in a navy blue coat and a red and white dress underneath.
Prince Frederik looked dapper in a sage green jacket and gray trousers, while his wife looked typically stylish in a beige suit.
Yesterday tThe monarch of Sweden appeared cheerful during the reception at the Royal Palace in Stockholm.
The royal, a distant cousin of King Charles, received a gift and balloons from Jennifer McShane and Ava Thunberg of the My Special Day foundation.
Carl wore a navy blue suit that he paired with a white shirt and a matching navy blue tie.
King Carl ascended the throne after the death of his grandfather, Gustaf VI Adolf, on September 15, 1973.
Queen Margrethe of Denmark arrived in Sweden for King Carl Gustaf’s 50th anniversary celebrations in Stockholm
Queen Anne-Marie of Greece was also among the dignitaries on the guest list for the anniversary events
He is the youngest child and only son of Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of VĂ€sterbotten, and Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
He married Silvia Sommerlath in 1976, three years after joining.
The royal couple share three children: Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden, 45, Prince Carl Philip of Sweden, Duke of VĂ€rmland, 43, and Princess Madeleine of Sweden, Duchess of HĂ€lsingland and GĂ€strikland, 40.
Ahead of the celebration of his golden jubilee, the Royal Court of Sweden shared a new image of the monarch, which was taken at the Royal Palace of Stockholm’s State Hall.
Queen Margrethe was seen greeting the navy as she boarded a ship in Stockholm
King Carl’s cousin Queen Margrethe looked chic in a navy blue coat and red and white dress underneath
Dressed in his admiral uniform, the father of three is pictured next to the silver throne, which dates from Queen Kristina’s coronation in 1650 and is used at state openings of parliament.
Over his uniform the king wears a number of medals, including the Order of the Seraphim.
This medal – also known as the ‘Blue Ribbon’ – is considered the Swedish equivalent of the British Order of the Garter and is the highest award of chivalry that can be awarded.
In addition, the monarch also wears the Royal Order of Vasa, the Order of the Sword and the Order of Dannebrog Necklace from 1840, which can only be given to the monarch’s immediate family.
The king also appears to be wearing the exact same ceremonial chains he donned during his royal assurance in 1973, when he became the country’s youngest-ever monarch at the age of 27.
The new portrait of the king, created by Thron Ullberg, will appear on stamps issued in Sweden in 2023.