On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, King Carl XVI Gustaf, as Swedish Head of State, was invited to deliver the opening speech of the parliamentary year at Riskdag and to participate in the religious service that precedes this ceremony. As every year, his family accompanies him. For the first time since her move to Sweden, Princess Madeleine returned to duty and accompanied her family to an official event.
Read also: Princess Madeleine is back in Sweden with her children: a new family photo to mark the move
Princess Madeleine returns to school on this important day for Swedish democracy
Every year, the parliamentary year is solemnly opened by the head of state. King Carl XVI Gustaf is called to participate in the first plenary session, during which he delivers a speech. The royal family attends this day wearing sober-coloured clothing, usually black, navy blue or white. Before the ceremony on Riskdag, a religious service is held at the Storkyrkan, Stockholm Cathedral.
Read also: Overjoyed Prince Carl Philip and pregnant Princess Sofia make symbolic visit to their duchy
As every year, King Carl XVI Gustaf, 78, was accompanied by Queen Silvia, 80, Crown Princess Victoria, 47, and Prince Daniel, 50. Prince Carl Philip, 45, and his wife, Princess Sofia, 39, are also regular participants on the day. The royal couple, who announced Sofia’s fourth pregnancy last week, were cheered by the crowd as they appeared in front of the church. The real surprise came later, when Princess Madeleine appeared behind her brother and sister-in-law.
Read also: Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia are expecting a fourth child
Princess Madeleine, 42, is the third child of the sovereigns. In 2018, Madeleine and her husband, Christopher O’Neill, settled in the United States with their three children. A page turned this summer when the family returned to live in Sweden and Princess Madeleine chose this day of the parliamentary session to carry out her first official engagement within the royal family. Since her move to Miami, Princess Madeleine has no longer fulfilled any official obligations, with the exception of a few engagements for her mother’s foundation.
Read also: Silvia, Victoria and Estelle: Three generations of Swedish queens to support para-athletes in Paris
King Carl XVI Gustaf surrounded for the first time in many years by his three children for the opening of the parliamentary year
The church service was led by Dean Jonas Eek and the keynote speaker was Mikael Kurkiala, Professor of Cultural Anthropology, who gave his presentation in front of the royal family seated in the front row of the church and the many parliamentarians who attended the service.
After the church service, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia arrived at the Riksdag by horse-drawn carriage. They were received in front of the building by the Speaker of the Parliament, Andreas Norlén. The Riksdag is the Swedish parliament, which has 349 seats. Since 1970, the Swedish parliament has had a unicameral system. The crown couple followed the royal couple, followed by the princely couple. As in church earlier in the day, Princess Madeleine brought up the rear with her husband Chris O’Neill.
Read also: Victoria of Sweden and her family very elegant at the wedding of Princess Märtha Louise of Norway
The Royal Family and the Crown Prince and Princess of Norway were accompanied by the Royal March musically into the plenary hall of the parliament. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson also accompanied the royal family. After the King’s Song, sung by the members of parliament, the sovereign read his speech to the assembly.
The king’s speech is relatively short, consisting of a few paragraphs. A few short sentences cover the most important political issues, including Sweden’s recent accession to NATO, the defense of democracy, and the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
“What you decide in this assembly will affect the Swedish people for many years to come.”said the sovereign at the end of his speech. “My hope and belief is that you will have respectful debates, listen to each other and make the best decisions for Sweden.”
Related News :