STOCKHOLM: Sweden feted its record-breaking monarch King Carl XVI Gustaf’s 80th birthday on Thursday with a choral tribute, a flypast and a gala banquet to be attended by royals from around the world.
The king, the longest reigning monarch in Swedish history, took part in a morning thanksgiving celebration, called a Te Deum, at the palace chapel.
Under sunny skies and unusually mild temperatures, large crowds thronged the palace grounds to then watch a military honour guard, after which young children lined up to hand over flowers to the royal.
The king, his guests and crowds thronging the streets around the royal palace were also treated to a flypast, including eight JAS Gripens, as well as a 21-gun salute and a choral tribute.
“Seeing you all gathered here feels fantastic for my guests and me, to see this choir before me and that you’ve all come here to sing on this day,” the king told the cheering crowd from a palace balcony.
Helene Lofstrand, a 52-year-old finance sector worker, was among those who came out to show her support.
“I think, personally, that His Majesty is doing a great job. The politically independent representative that he is for the country is very important, and I think we’re all very proud of him,” she told AFP.
