Stockholm, 1. maj 2026 (Denmark Royal ROYAL PRESS MAGAZINE ) – Den 30. april blev kong Carl XVI Gustafs 80-års fødselsdag fejret med en storslået ceremoni på det kongelige slot i Stockholm. Medlemmer af kongehuse fra flere lande samt diplomatiske repræsentanter deltog i festlighederne, som omfattede religiøse ceremonier, offentlige hyldester, flyopvisninger og gallamiddag. Gæster fra både ind- og udland samledes for at fejre kongens runde dag.
- Takkegudstjeneste i slotskirken
Om morgenen den 30. april deltog kongen og dronning Dronning Silvia i en særlig takkegudstjeneste i slotskirken. Gudstjenesten blev ledet af overhofpræst Johan Dalman og slotspræst Michael Bjerkhagen.
Under ceremonien blev der opført både klassiske og nyskrevne svenske værker, herunder et særligt værk komponeret til lejligheden. Det kongelige kor, hoforganisten og flådens musikkorps medvirkede ved fremførelsen.
Den 30. april er samtidig Sveriges flagdag, og klokken 8 om morgenen blev flaget hejst på slottet. Gæster fra Norden og øvrige Europa deltog i ceremonien, herunder kong Frederik X og Finlands præsident Alexander Stubb.
- Flyopvisning og offentlig hyldest
Efter gudstjenesten fandt vagtskifte og militære ceremonier sted. Kongen trådte derefter frem på Lejonbacken-balkonen for at modtage folkets hyldest. Der blev affyret salut fra Skeppsholmen, og det svenske luftvåben gennemførte en flyopvisning over slottet.
Ved Norrbro hilste kongen og kongefamilien igen på offentligheden og overværede en stor koroptræden arrangeret af det kongelige musikkonservatorium. Seks kendte kor fra hele Sverige fremførte det nyskrevne værk “Skapande vår”, som fremhævede landets kulturelle vitalitet.
- Folkets varme lykønskninger
Under fejringen samledes store menneskemængder omkring slottet for spontant at ønske kongen tillykke. Børn overrakte blomster, og stemningen var både festlig og hjertelig. Militærorkestre spillede kongelige hymner, og salutskud lød som udtryk for folkets respekt og støtte.
- Gallamiddag på slottet
Om aftenen blev der afholdt en stor gallamiddag på slottet i Stockholm for kongelige gæster fra Europa og Thailand. Fra Danmark deltog blandt andre Margrethe II og prinsesse Benedikte af Danmark.
I sin tale så kongen tilbage på sit liv og kongehusets historie, herunder barndomsminder med sin bedstefar og rødderne til Bernadotte-dynastiet. Han understregede, at selv om verden står over for mange udfordringer, er det fortsat en fælles opgave at skabe en mere sikker og human fremtid.
Kronprinsessen fremhævede i sin tale kongens rolle som forbillede og hans engagement i ansvar, ydmyghed og tjeneste for nationen.
Gallamiddagen fandt sted i en højtidelig og varm atmosfære, hvor slottet var udsmykket med flag fra Sveriges landskaber som symbol på national enhed. Samtidig faldt fejringen sammen med Valborgsaften, hvilket gav begivenheden en ekstra symbolik om forår og fornyelse.
Ud over den svenske kongefamilie deltog medlemmer af kongehuse fra Danmark, Norge, Luxembourg og Belgien. Thailands konge Maha Vajiralongkorn og dronning Suthida var også til stede. Storbritanniens konge Charles III og hans hustru kunne dog ikke deltage på grund af en samtidig officiel rejse til USA.
På grund af tidskonflikter deltog man ikke i denne fejring. På tærsklen til festlighederne rejste Kinas ambassadør i Sverige, Zhou Limin, den 29. april 2026 til det svenske kongeslot for at underskrive lykønskningsprotokollen, hvor han udtrykte sine fødselsdagshilsner til kongen samt forventninger om at uddybe det kinesisk-svenske venskab.Denne 80-års fødselsdagsfejring viste ikke blot den svenske kongefamilies tradition og stil i overensstemmelse med europæisk hofetikette, men afspejlede også de vigtige værdier i national samhørighed og kulturel arv.
(Foto: ROYAL PRESS FOTOGRAF: Peng Zhongmin © . Redaktion: Wang Yingyu, Li Shunping, Zhao Jingshuo)
ENGLISH
Sweden Celebrates King Carl XVI Gustaf’s 80th Birthday
Stockholm, May 1, 2026 (Denmark Royal ROYAL PRESS MAGAZINE) – On April 30, the 80th birthday of Carl XVI Gustaf was celebrated with a grand ceremony at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. Members of royal families from several countries as well as diplomatic representatives attended the festivities, which included religious ceremonies, public tributes, aerial displays, and a gala dinner. Guests from both Sweden and abroad gathered to celebrate the King’s milestone birthday.
- Thanksgiving Service in the Palace Church
On the morning of April 30, the King and Queen Silvia took part in a special thanksgiving service in the Palace Church. The service was led by Chief Court Chaplain Johan Dalman and Palace Chaplain Michael Bjerkhagen.
During the ceremony, both classical and newly composed Swedish works were performed, including a special piece created for the occasion. The Royal Choir, the Court Organist, and the Navy Band participated in the performance.
April 30 is also Sweden’s Flag Day, and at 8:00 a.m. the flag was raised at the palace. Guests from the Nordic countries and the rest of Europe attended the ceremony, including Frederik X and Alexander Stubb.
- Aerial Display and Public Tribute
Following the service, the changing of the guard and military ceremonies took place. The King then appeared on the Lejonbacken balcony to receive the public’s tribute. A salute was fired from Skeppsholmen, and the Swedish Air Force conducted an aerial display over the palace.
At Norrbro, the King and the royal family again greeted the public and attended a large choral performance organized by the Royal College of Music. Six renowned choirs from across Sweden performed the newly composed work “Skapande vår” (“Creative Spring”), highlighting the country’s cultural vitality.
- The People’s Warm Congratulations
During the celebration, large crowds gathered around the palace to spontaneously wish the King a happy birthday. Children presented flowers, and the atmosphere was both festive and heartfelt. Military bands played royal hymns, and ceremonial gun salutes echoed as expressions of the people’s respect and support.
- Gala Dinner at the Palace
In the evening, a grand gala dinner was held at the palace in Stockholm for royal guests from Europe and Thailand. From Denmark, attendees included Margrethe II and Princess Benedikte of Denmark, among others.
In his speech, the King reflected on his life and the history of the royal house, including childhood memories with his grandfather and the roots of the Bernadotte dynasty. He emphasized that although the world faces many challenges, it remains a shared responsibility to create a safer and more humane future.
In her speech, the Crown Princess highlighted the King’s role as a role model and his commitment to responsibility, humility, and service to the nation.
The gala dinner took place in a solemn and warm atmosphere, with the palace decorated with flags from Sweden’s provinces as a symbol of national unity. The celebration also coincided with Walpurgis Night, adding an extra layer of symbolism related to spring and renewal.
In addition to the Swedish royal family, members of royal houses from Denmark, Norway, Luxembourg, and Belgium attended. Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida were also present. However, the United Kingdom’s King Charles III and his wife were unable to attend due to a simultaneous official visit to the United States.
Due to scheduling conflicts, some were unable to participate in the celebration. On the eve of the festivities, on April 29, 2026, China’s ambassador to Sweden, Zhou Limin, visited the Swedish Royal Palace to sign the congratulatory protocol, expressing birthday wishes to the King and hopes for strengthening Sino-Swedish friendship.
This 80th birthday celebration not only showcased the Swedish royal family’s traditions and style in line with European court etiquette, but also reflected important values of national unity and cultural heritage. (Photo: ROYAL PRESS. Photographer: Peng Zhongmin ©. Editors: Wang Yingyu, Li Shunping, Zhao Jingshuo.)
