1 / 3Photo: Janerik Henriksson/TT
The celebration of the king’s 50 years on the throne ends today with a procession and concert.
– The weather is on the king’s side, says Hilda Pöldma, who has come to see King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia.
The celebration is on its fourth and final day. The king and queen leave the castle in a horse and carriage at 2:30 p.m.
Along the procession route in central Stockholm, 3,000 soldiers from the units of the army, navy and air force parade, and the armed forces’ music choirs provide the musical entertainment.
Already over an hour before, many people had lined up along the procession route.
Hilda Pöldma and daughter Ava Pöldma from Stockholm have taken a seat far to the front to get a good look at Nybroviken.
– We are here because we like the royal house, or maybe I mainly, and because it happens once in a lifetime. It’s a really cool thing, says Hilda Pöldma.
“Always been there”
She thinks that the relatively large popular turnout is expected.
– You are always worried that there will be few people and not be so pompous. But the weather is on the king’s side, she says.
TT: Is it important to celebrate the king?
– Yes, I think so. It is important to celebrate someone who has been such a constant in many of our lives. Regardless of what happens and how he is, he has always been there. And gather the people, get out in the sun, do something together. And show appreciation.
The waterway back
Julia and Kristin Wikelius, mother and daughter, from Minnesota in the USA, are at Strömbron.
– It is just a happy coincidence that our trip coincided with this event, says Julia Wikelius.
– It’s historic and something we don’t want to miss once we’re here. We have some Swedish roots, so it’s a way to honor that.
At Skeppsholmen, the royal couple board the royal sloop Vasaorden, which takes them by water back to the castle.
After the procession, there will be a concert at Norrbro with artists such as Lill Lindfors, Björn Skifs, Tomas Ledin, Loreen, Magnus Uggla and Peter Jöback.