Sweden’s Queen Silvia: Made an honorary citizen of Heidelberg

Queen Silvia
Sweden’s Queen made an honorary citizen of Heidelberg

Queen Silvia and Eckart Würzner, Lord Mayor of Heidelberg, at the award of honorary citizenship on May 26, 2023

© Dana Press

At the age of 79, Sweden’s Queen Silvia was made an honorary citizen of her German hometown of Heidelberg.

Queen Silvia of Sweden was born on December 23, 1943 – as Silvia Renate Sommerlath in Heidelberg. Now, at the age of 79, Silvia is in her home town and was made an honorary citizen there. In front of around 120 guests in the Heidelberg town hall, Mayor Eckart Würzner, 61, awarded her honorary citizenship. “It’s also a great honor for us, she’s a great ambassador for the city and the region,” Würzner said before the ceremony, according to “SWR”.

String concert in honor of Queen Silvia

Honorary citizenship is granted to people who “have rendered outstanding service to their fellow human beings, to the common good, to the city and to its reputation”. Before the award, a piece was performed by a string orchestra in Silvia’s honor. Afterwards, Würzner also welcomed the numerous family members of the Queen, who had also arrived.

Queen Silvia: “Lost my heart to Heidelberg”

Then he addressed the guest of honor of the day: “Basically, it’s us who are being honored today – with your presence.” Silvia’s extensive commitment in various social areas alone has more than justified the appointment of her as an honorary citizen. “They build bridges and give people hope. Not just in Sweden or Heidelberg, but all over the world. […] They’re using their notoriety to shed light on issues that would otherwise remain obscure.”

In her acceptance speech that followed, the Queen said, among other things: “It is a great pleasure and honor for me to be honored in this way by my home town of Heidelberg. Thank you very much! […] The beautiful city of Heidelberg has always meant a lot to me and my family.” She ended her speech, which received a standing ovation, with the words: “I lost my heart to the city of Heidelberg.”

Sources used: Dana Press, SWR

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