Always game for a party, King Carl Gustaf of Sweden and his wife Queen Silvia eagerly embraced the chance to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary, inviting other European royals to Stockholm for two days of gala festivities.
The 150 royal guests, who began arriving Monday in the Swedish capital, included a clutch of heirs to the throne: Felipe of Spain, who is currently linked to Norwegian model Eva Sannum, and Albert of Monaco were unaccompanied, but Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Haakon Magnus of Norway were both with their brides-to-be, Maxima Zorreguieta and Mette-Marit Tjessem, respectively. And of course, Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria, Europe’s only female heir to the throne, was there to help her parents enjoy their anniversary.
Most guests entered into the spirit of the fancy dress start to the revelry, which took place at 16th-century Gripsholm Castle, on Lake Mälaren. Famed for their original approach to parties, the King and Queen had their friends transported across the water in specially decked-out boats for the evening.
However, the grand finale to the festivities takes place Tuesday night in the grounds of the royal family’s residence, Drottningholm Palace, with a gala charity concert. Proceeds from the gala will go towards the World Childhood Foundation, which Queen Silvia established in 1999. In an interview with HELLO! earlier this year, the Queen explained why she felt so strongly about this cause:
“In the course of travelling with my husband, I visited many institutions that help the underprivileged,” the popular German-born Queen told us. “After years of soul-searching, I began to wonder what I could do to help. I knew that I could not save every child, but if I succeeded in helping some I would be very happy.”
Silvia Sommerlath married Carl Gustaf on June 19, 1976, in Stockholm’s Cathedral, the Storkyrkan. The couple have three children: Crown Princess Victoria, who recently finished her studies at Yale University; Prince Carl Philip, who has completed his military service and is now a combat boat commander; and Princess Madeleine, who is still at college.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
