50th anniversary of the throne of King Carl Gustaf
Royal expert explains the Swedish guest list
Close ties: The Swedish royal couple Carl Gustaf and Silvia (center) with Queen Margrethe of Denmark and King Harald of Norway.
© imago/TT
Carl Gustaf of Sweden celebrates his throne jubilee with royal guests. Royal expert Julia Melchior explains the guest list.
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden (77) is celebrating his 50th anniversary on the throne. On September 15, 1973, he succeeded his grandfather to the throne. Numerous different events will take place around the anniversary next Friday. And the guest list is also tough, as royal expert Julia Melchior reveals in an interview with spot on news.
“Since it is a throne jubilee, the celebration will be with the nation that the king took over 50 years ago. Nevertheless, the royal families from Denmark and Norway will celebrate with both generations, i.e. the generation of the king and the heir to the throne,” she says. The royal fans can count on Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (83) and the heir to the throne, Crown Prince Frederik (55) and Crown Princess Mary (51), as well as the Norwegian royal couple Harald V. (86) and Sonja (86). Crown Prince Couple Haakon (50) and Mette-Marit (50) are happy.
The close ties between the Scandinavian countries include not only the three parliamentary monarchies but also two parliamentary democracies. “The three Scandinavian monarchies have a common history and, along with Finland and Iceland, see themselves as a unit that goes beyond geography. That’s why the heads of state of Finland and Iceland are also expected,” explains Julia Melchior on this.
Personal anniversaries in larger groups
If there were a personal anniversary instead of the throne anniversary, the circle of royal guests would be even larger. “For a personal anniversary, i.e. a big birthday, royals from the other royal families would also be invited – as personal guests. Because the royal families are also very friends with each other,” says the documentary filmmaker and author. This refers to “especially the Scandinavian royal families, but also the royals from the Benelux countries” Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. But that’s not all: “Even Charles and Camilla could be expected to have a big birthday, whereas the Queen wouldn’t have come to such a celebration in the past,” knows Melchior.
Why the likelihood that King Charles III (74) and Queen Camilla (76) would take part in such a celebration is higher than it was for the late Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022)? The nobility expert then says: “Because Carl Gustaf and Silvia and Charles and Camilla have known each other for a long time. They are one generation, are closer and also have a more friendly relationship.” In addition, Charles and Camilla would seek “more contact with their counterparts” than was the case with the Queen. “The Queen was usually represented on these occasions by her son Edward and his wife Sophie,” explains Melchior.
Special broadcast and documentaries
In a special program on Saturday (September 16th) from 7:25 p.m. on ZDF, presenter Christina von Ungern-Sternberg and nobility expert Julia Melchior will look back on the celebrations on the occasion of the Swedish throne jubilee.
Those interested can find out even more interesting facts and exciting background information in the new documentaries “My Father, the King – Carl Gustaf and Victoria of Sweden” and “My Husband, the Crown Prince – The heirs to the throne in Norway and Denmark”. Both can be found in the ZDF media library.