King Carl XVI Gustaf is about to join a very small club of European monarchs who have reigned for forty years
The event gets under way with the opening a special exhibition in the Royal Palace of Stockholm all about the king's reign. It promises special photos, paintings and artefacts from the four decades he has ruled Sweden and it will be open to visitors in the Hall of State and Royal Apartments until the beginning of February 2014.
The official portrait of Carl XVI Gustaf in 1973, the year he became king. It was taken by Lennart Nilsson who's work also forms part of the official banner designed to mark the jubilee
The first big state occasion come on Saturday when the government hosts a special dinner at the Nordiska Museum in Stockholm while a special jubilee concert will take place at the Stockholm Concert Hall.
The King and Queen of Sweden will attend a special dinner on the eve of the jubilee
On the big day itself, Sunday 15th September, the 67 year old king will attend a thanksgiving service at the Royal Chapel of the Palace in Stockholm. From midday there's a huge celebration planned in the capital called Dancing at the Palace which will feature plenty of music starting on the North Bridge and, after a toast to the king, free entry to the Inner Courtyard of the Royal Palace to allow as many people as possible to join in with the festivities.
The North Bridge in Stockholm is the oldest in the city and will be a focal point for the celebrations marking the king's big jubilee
After all that partying, the king then gets to put his feet up for a few days before a state reception on Thursday brings the event to an end. Carl XVI Gustaf and Silvia have just completed their tour of Sweden undertaken over the last few months to mark the anniversary. Add to that the special stamps, mugs and posters produced as souvenirs and it will be a long time before anyone forgets this year of celebrations.
No comments:
Post a Comment