Armed Forces Personnel Participate in King’s 50-Year Celebration on the Throne
Stockholm, Sweden – Over 3,000 personnel from the Swedish Armed Forces will participate in the celebration of King Carl XVI Gustav’s 50 years on the throne. The celebration, which will take place on Saturday, September 16, will see personnel from almost all parts of the Armed Forces lining the royal procession route through central Stockholm.
The cortege will conclude at Skeppsholmen, where the royal couple will board the sloop Vasaorden to return to the palace. The sloop will be manned by officers, soldiers, and sailors from the Navy, highlighting their contribution to the celebrations.
Lieutenant Colonel Richard Beck-Friis spoke about the large logistics operation involved in bringing personnel from all parts of the country to Stockholm for the event. “It is about a large logistics operation when personnel from all parts of the country go to Stockholm and home again,” he said.
The celebration will also see the participation of the heads of state from all the Nordic countries. A total of 24 units from the Armed Forces, as well as several voluntary organizations, will contribute personnel to the event.
In addition to the personnel on the ground, aircraft from different eras will participate in two overflights scheduled for 4.20 pm on Saturday.
The celebration is expected to receive significant media attention, with Sweden’s television broadcasting live from several of the events. On Friday, September 15, the king will also participate in the changing of the guard. This year marks 50 years since he took office and succeeded his grandfather, Gustav VI Adolf.
For more details on how the public can follow the celebrations and procession, they can visit the royal house’s website.