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Soldiers from Stockholm’s amphibious regiment practice before the crossing between Skeppsholmen and Logårdskajen with the royal sloop Vasaorden.
1 / 2Photo: Anders Wiklund/TT
After yesterday’s baluns at the castle, today the king got a much-needed morning’s sleep. Saturday’s festivities only start in the afternoon and offer both a horse procession and a tribute concert.
The celebration of the king’s 50 years on the throne is on its fourth and final day, and today the people of Stockholm have good opportunities to catch a glimpse of the jubilant monarch, who rides in procession through the central parts of the city.
The king and queen leave the castle in a horse and carriage at 2:30 p.m. Along the procession route, 3,000 soldiers from the units of the army, navy and air force parade, and the armed forces’ music choirs provide the musical entertainment.
At Skeppsholmen, the royal couple board the royal sloop Vasaorden, which takes them by water back to the castle. Just as at the wedding in 1976, they disembark at the lower Logårdstrappan outside the Castle and are met there by a crowd of fans.
Both the cortege and the rowing are broadcast live on SVT, and so is the concert at Norrbro, which is the city of Stockholm’s gift to the king. Artists such as Lill Lindfors, Björn Skifs, Tomas Ledin, Loreen, Magnus Uggla and Peter Jöback perform Swedish hits created during the king’s 50 years on the throne. At the concert, other members of the royal family also join.