Sweden’s Royal Family was out in full force on Saturday to
celebrate National Day, but one royal was missing from the
festivities.
Princess Estelle was absent from the celebrations as she’s on a
language trip with school this month. She’ll also miss the
celebrations for her grandparents’ golden wedding anniversary next
weekend.
Instead, the Swedish Royal Court shared photos of the future
queen on social media, alongside
Prince Oscar, taken in the greenery at Haga Palace with the
sheep.
Princess Estelle and Prince
Oscar pose for a portrait ahead of National Day Linda Broström/The
Royal Court of SwedenKing Carl XVI
Gustaf and Queen Silvia led the National Day celebrations as the
Royal Family spread out across the country, joining crowds in Håbo,
Salem and Stockholm.
Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel officially opened the
Royal Palace to the public, with Victoria giving a short speech:
“So much of our Swedish history and our fantastic cultural
heritage is gathered in the royal palaces. I am therefore very
happy that we can make it available by keeping the castles open
today.”
Afterwards, the royal couple travelled to Salem municipality to
attend a National Day party at the Skönviksparken in Rönninge.
Crown Princess Victoria delivered a
speech, praising the municipalities of Sweden.
“Today we are reminded of the values that
underpin our society – democracy, justice, freedom and
peace. These are values that are not self-evident, but
which we all have a responsibility to protect and stand up
for.
“National Day is about Sweden, but our country is built
locally in municipalities like Salem. In meetings between people.
In trust, responsibility, and the will to create something better
together.
“With those words, I wish you all a nice National
Day!”
King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia joined the festivities at
Skokloster Castle in Håbo, attending a party in the castle grounds.
With the party in Uppsala County, the royal couple could say that
they had officially celebrated National Day in every Swedish
county.
King Carl XVI Gustaf and
Queen Silvia inaugurate the Royal Elk sculpture on National Day
Sara Friberg/Kungl. Hovstaterna
In a speech, King Carl XVI
Gustaf said: “People come here to experience the unique
environment, but also to enjoy the nature around Lake Mälaren and
the tranquility that characterizes Skokloster.
“However, it is not as quiet everywhere in the municipality.
Many of you have probably stood at Hjälstaviken one early morning
and heard the cacophony of thousands of migratory birds as they
form pairs in the spring.
“And it’s not just birds that thrive here! People also
choose to settle in the county, which is one of Sweden’s most
expansive, thanks to the growing business community and a
world-class university in Uppsala.”
In the capital, Prince Carl Philip attended the Changing of the
Guard ceremony at the Royal Palace. Later, Prince Carl Philip and
Princess Sofia shared a photo on their official Instagram account
of the prince with his year-old daughter Princess Ines, who was
wearing a blue-and-yellow dress. “Wishing you a happy national
day!”
Later in the day, King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia, Crown
Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel and Prince Oscar traveled by
horse-drawn carriage to the National Day festivities at Solliden.
There, they were joined by the rest of the Royal Family: Prince
Carl Philip and Princess Sofia, and Princess Madeleine and
Christopher O’Neill.
The Swedish Royal Family at
Solliden for National Day SVT screenshot / Fair Use
In a speech, King Carl XVI Gustaf powerfully praised Sweden. He
said: “There is a country far up in the north where the summer
evenings are so bright that night barely makes it there. The sun
lingers behind the treetops, as if it doesn’t want to let go of the
day.
“In that country there are seas, deep lakes and vast
mountains. And green meadows, yellow rapeseed fields, and forests
that smell of pine needles and moss. You can walk for a long time
without meeting anyone and yet never feel alone.
“But in that country there are also buds waiting to bloom
and shadows that need to be met with light. There are people with
the power to renew and change in step with the times and with the
will to take responsibility for themselves, for each other, for
nature and for those who come after us.
“That country is not a fairy tale. It is Sweden.”
To close out the day, the Swedish Royal Family traveled back to
Stockholm for a reception at the Royal Palace for members of
Parliament, the government, and the diplomatic corps.
The Swedish Royal Family will be back out again next weekend to
celebrate King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia’s golden wedding
anniversary. As their anniversary officially falls on midsummer eve
this year, they have chosen to celebrate a week early.
Among the events will be a Te Deum, a trip down the river in
Stockholm aboard the Vasaorden, a motorcade through the streets of
Stockholm, a public concert at the Kungsträdgården, a concert at
the Royal Opera House, and a private dinner at the Royal Palace.