22 selected soldiers and sailors have practiced for two months with a 100-year-old boat – to row the royal couple for 15 minutes.
An honor, says the commander of the Vasa Order, and promises that as far as the king is concerned, there are no rules on board:
– The royal couple can do exactly what they please, says Michael Langhard.
The sun shines from the gilded ceiling of the sleek boat’s saloon. Fore and aft, large, three-pronged Swedish flags dance in the wind.
The royal sloop Vasaorden makes a final rehearsal trip over Riddarfjärden, ahead of its big mission on Thursday evening.
The classic uniforms are on, the boat is decorated. Now each year, choreographed to the smallest detail, just has to fit as it should.
The Vasa Order is, to say the least, a historic boat. The original was commissioned by Gustav III in 1774, but burned down in 1921. This rebuilt version made its premiere 100 years ago, when it transported Gustav V to the inauguration of Stockholm’s town hall.
Now it will redo the mission, for the city hall’s 100th anniversary, this time with King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia as passengers.
“Get pampered”
The last time the sloop was used was at Crown Princess Victoria’s wedding in 2010, and it has since undergone an extensive complete renovation.
Captain Michael Langhard is in command of the boat, and has been preparing for Thursday’s rowing since the turn of the year.
– It is so rare. If we average that it is used every ten years, then you just have to calculate for yourself how many in the navy get to participate in this during a career. We are in many ways chosen to carry out this honorable mission, he says.
On board there are 18 rowers, three officers and an extra rower. All are amphibious soldiers from Stockholm’s amphibious regiment or sailors from the Fourth Naval Battle Flotilla.
– Here we practice a way of presenting ships and seamanship that we no longer do in the modern fleet. Here it’s back-to-basics – practice with tamps, boat shakes, sharp tugs. That’s great fun, the practical seaman’s work, says Michael Langhard.
Practiced for months
The crew started practicing already before Easter on Hårsfjärden outside the Berga naval base, at first with smaller rowing boats and then with the Vasa Order itself.
For the past week, they have been doing early morning sessions – from 04.00 to 09.00 – at Riddarfjärden in Stockholm.
– Seeing Stockholm wake up has been very nice, and seeing the sunrise, says Henrik Ulfvarson, who is a system technician at the Fourth Naval Battle Flotilla.
– It has been very quiet outside. In the beginning when we practiced around Easter and there were a few cold rainy days so it wasn’t as much fun. But now it’s just wonderful.
The Vasa Order has no engine or sails, just its nine oars. From the quay, she has to be pulled into action by soldiers on land.
– She is very sensitive to swells, so if a ship comes near, we feel it immediately. Otherwise, it’s just to keep sitting, keep the pace and move her forward, says Henrik Ulfvarson.
He looks forward to the royal row.
– It’s very exciting. The nerves are starting to get a little. But since we’ve been practicing this for so long now, we feel warm in our clothes, so it should just be a normal day. Except there’s a little extra gold on it. And many extra pairs of eyes, says Henrik Ulfvarson.
– There are very few who get to do this and get to experience such a beautiful ship and perform her. So a very big honor and very fun to do.
Michael Langhard is wearing a thick and heavy parade uniform w/1878, which is only used by officers of the Vasa Order.
If he sweats in the heat, it’s not noticeable.
Have you met the king before?
– I have done that. Or met… I have been in His Majesty’s presence before. But I definitely haven’t stood with the royal couple in a boat for a quarter of an hour on my own. I haven’t done that before.
Where are they expected to be in the meantime, are they allowed to walk around as they please?
– The royal couple can do exactly what they please. But I think they will stand up in the cockpit, aft of the saloon. That’s what I think they will do.
1 / 3Photo: ANDREAS BARDELL
FACTSHistorical rowing
On Thursday 22 June, the Vasa Order with the King and Queen on board departs from Riddarholmen at 5.45 pm and arrives at the City Hall at 6 pm. Stadhusparken is closed off for the anniversary dinner, but you can follow the departure from Riddarholmen.
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