With a Te Deum at the Royal Chapel of the Royal Palace in Stockholm, dominated by its majestic columns, rococo decoration, and beautiful 18th-century frescoes, the celebrations for King Carl XVI Gustaf's 80th birthday in Sweden began promptly at 10 in the morning on Thursday. The jubilee is being celebrated throughout the day with the attendance of dozens of members of the international royalty.
The entire Swedish royal family made their first appearance at this thanksgiving service, a solemn ceremony attended by high authorities of Sweden, including Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and his wife Birgitta. Many royal guests, such as the kings of Thailand, Denmark, Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, the Grand Dukes of Luxembourg, and the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, are also present at the Royal Chapel. Some royal guests, like Queen Sofia of Spain, will join the gala dinner.
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden chose to make a statement on the eve of this historic jubilee day for his 80th birthday being celebrated in Sweden today. "I am not going to abdicate". This was his firm declaration in an interview he granted this week to SVT, Sweden's public television company, dispelling any doubts to ensure that nothing distracts from the intense program of institutional events in honor of the senior member of European royalty. The largest representation of members of the Götha from around the globe is gathered in Stockholm today to celebrate Carl Gustaf, who has been on the throne for over 52 years and became the longest-reigning sovereign in Europe after the death of Queen Elizabeth II of England.
This 80th anniversary comes to the head of the Bernadotte dynasty -the Royal House founded by Jean Baptiste Jules Bernadotte, Napoleon's marshal, who ascended the throne in 1818 as the successor of King Charles XIII of Sweden, the last monarch of the Holstein-Gottorp dynasty, who died without descendants- at a time of popularity. A survey last year by the Novus company indicated that 70% of citizens believe that the royal family represents the country well or very well, and 63% highly value the king's work. Currently, there is no widespread demand for the sovereign to step down and pass the crown to his eldest daughter, Princess Victoria. For many years, during scandals surrounding King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, a majority of Swedes called for abdication as a lifeline for the institution. However, the king has had a decade without major incidents, regaining much of the lost credibility during this time. The Monarchy has not only shown resilience but has also become an agent of stability amid the global geopolitical turmoil.
It is not surprising, therefore, that as mentioned, Carl XVI Gustaf has no plans to retire in the near future. In the same interview, he admitted being surprised by the abdication last year of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. "I was a bit surprised because none of us knew anything. It must have been difficult for her to take that step," he said, making it clear that what worked well for Copenhagen - the smooth transition in the Danish Crown has been a success, as was the transfer of power in Spain - is not necessary in Stockholm.
This jubilee for the king's 80th birthday is one of those occasions where the Monarchy is adorned with all its splendor and reaffirms its communion with the citizens. It is a festive and celebratory day above all.
The events began with the aforementioned Te Deum. Subsequently, a Guard of Honor military parade took place in the outer courtyard of the Stockholm Palace in tribute to the king. Although in Sweden, the head of state does not hold the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, he does hold the highest military rank.
After the changing of the guard, the king and his family appeared on the Lejonbacken terrace - known as the Lion Slope - the system of ramps leading to the north entrance of the Royal Palace in Stockholm. This was one of the most anticipated moments of the day as thousands of Swedish citizens and onlookers greeted the monarch and took the opportunity to congratulate him, while the Armed Forces fired a salute from Skeppsholmen and the Air Force performed a spectacular flyover in the skies of Stockholm.
Six choirs from all over Sweden performed various songs in honor of the king, who expressed his gratitude at the end of the event.
"All of you here are Stockholm, but together we form Sweden", an emotional Carl XVI Gustaf affirmed to the crowd gathered outside the palace on a radiant, sunny, and spring-like day in the city.
Up to six choirs from across the country then sang songs in tribute to the king before an official lunch at the City Hall in the capital began at two in the afternoon.
And undoubtedly, the most pompous moment will come in the evening with the State dinner attended by 400 guests, including many representatives from all European royal dynasties and other monarchies from different continents, such as the kings of Thailand. The Consort of former Siam has been generating unparalleled excitement since her arrival in Stockholm yesterday.