Category Archives: Current Monarchies

Akershus Fortress in Oslo, Norway

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2025

Akershus Fortress; Credit – By Ghirlandajo – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=42021733

Note: Denmark, Sweden, and Norway were ruled together under one monarch (Kalmar Union) from 1397 until 1523 when Sweden seceded and became its own kingdom. From 1450 to 1814, Denmark and Norway were in a union of the Kingdom of Denmark-Norway. From 1814 – 1905, Norway and Sweden were in a personal union of separate kingdoms under a common monarch. In 1905, Norway withdrew from the union and became its own kingdom.

History of the Akershus Fortress

The Castle at Akershus Fortress; Photo Credit – © Susan Flantzer

Akershus Fortress, which this writer has visited, was built as a royal residence and a fortress to protect the city of Oslo. Although it is no longer a royal residence, the Royal Mausoleum at the Akershus Fortress is the burial place of several Norwegian royals, including the two most recent deceased monarchs and their spouses. Akershus Fortress is still a military fortress under a commander. The Norwegian Ministry of Defence has its headquarters at the fortress. After the terrorist attacks on July 22, 2011, the Prime Minister’s Office has been located in the Armed Forces Command Building at Akershus Fortress. His Majesty The King’s Guard has permanent sentry duty at Akershus Fortress and is responsible for guarding the fortress.

The name Akerhus comes from the Old Norse ákr, which means field, and hus, which means house. Aker was originally the name of the farm on the isthmus where the fortress was built. Akershus Fortress’ construction began around the late 1290s by King Haakon V of Norway. After Norwegian nobleman Earl Alv Erlingsson of Sarpsborg attacked Oslo in 1287, it became clear that a stronger defense of the city was needed.

Akershus Fortress in the Middle Ages; Credit – Wikipedia

Akershus Fortress has successfully survived all sieges, mostly by Swedish forces, including King Karl XII of Sweden who invaded Norway in 1716 with a force of 7,000. He occupied the capital of Christiania, as Oslo was then known, and laid siege to the Akershus Fortress. However, King Karl XII did not have enough siege cannons to defeat the Norwegian forces inside the fortress. He was forced to retreat after a significant loss of soldiers and weapons.

Although Akershus Fortress has never been successfully besieged, it surrendered without combat to Nazi Germany in 1940 when the Norwegian government evacuated Oslo after unprovoked German attacks on Denmark and Norway. During the Nazi occupation, people were executed at the fortress by the Germans. After the fortress was liberated in 1945, eight Norwegian traitors who were tried and convicted of war crimes were executed at the fortress including Vidkun Quisling and Siegfried Fehmer.

King Haakon V of Norway (reigned 1299 – 1319) and his wife Euphemia of Rügen began to use Akershus Fortress as a royal residence which played a significant role in moving the capital of the Kingdom of Norway from Bergen to Oslo in 1300. Others who lived at Akershus Fortress during the Middle Ages include Princess Ingeborg, daughter of King Eric II of Norway, and Margrethe of Denmark, the future Queen Margrethe I of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. After her marriage in 1363 to eighteen-year-old King Haakon VI of Norway, ten-year-old Margrethe of Denmark, lived primarily at Akershus Fortress in Oslo. Margrethe was too young for the marriage to be consummated. Her governess was Swedish noblewoman Merete Ulvsdatter, a daughter of Saint Birgitta of Sweden. Margrethe was raised with Merte Ulvsdatter’s daughters Ingegerd and Katrine, who became her closest friends. She spent her time getting acclimated to Norway and preparing for her duties as Queen Consort. Her only child Olaf II, King of Denmark/Olaf IV, King of Norway was born at Akershus Fortress.

On August 17, 1624, a fire began in Oslo, lasting for three days and destroying almost the entire city. Following the 1624 fire, King Christian IV of Denmark and Norway decided to rebuild the city with better protection against fire and relocate it closer to Akershus Fortress. King Christian IV came to Oslo to oversee his plan. On September 27, 1624, Christian IV’s new city was officially founded and named Christiania in his honor. In 1925, the city returned to its former name, Oslo.

During the city’s reconstruction, Akershus Fortress was modernized and remodeled, giving it the appearance of a Renaissance castle with bastioned ramparts. Until the beginning of the 19th century, Akershus Fortress was used as a royal palace with new towers, halls, chambers, and gates added over the years.

Because Norway was in unions with Denmark and/or Sweden over the years, the kings moved around to their kingdoms. When the king was absent from Norway, Akershus Fortress was the seat of the Steward of Norway who acted as the head of the government during the monarch’s absence.

The ongoing restoration work on Akershus Fortress was extensive and lasted from the turn of the century until 1960. In the early years, the restoration concentrated on repairing basic damage to walls, basements, floors, and roof structures. In 1929, Norwegian architect Arnstein Rynning Arneberg began serving as the executive restoration architect in collaboration with other architects. Major renovations and maintenance work continued until completion in 1960, only interrupted by World War II in 1940 – 1945. Since the restoration, Akershus Fortress has been used frequently as the venue for official events and dinners for dignitaries and foreign heads of state.

The Royal Mausoleum

The Royal Mausoleum at Akershus Fortress; Photo Credit – © Susan Flantzer

With a few exceptions, burial sites and/or remains of Norwegian monarchs before 1380 have disappeared. Nearly all Norwegian monarchs between 1380 and 1905 are buried in other countries. During this period, Norwegian monarchs were also monarchs of Denmark and/or Sweden and were buried at Roskilde Cathedral in Roskilde, Denmark; Riddarholmen Church in Stockholm, Sweden; St. Peter’s Cathedral in Schleswig, Germany; and St. Mary’s Church now in Darłowo, Poland.

Within the walls of the Akershus Fortress is the Royal Mausoleum, a small burial chapel designed by Norwegian architect Arnstein Rynning Arneberg and completed in 1948. An altar designed by Norwegian artist Henrik Sørensen is in a niche. Before I visited Akershus Fortress, I could tell from photographs that the Royal Mausoleum was small, but when I visited, I was surprised at just how small it was. One could have walked right past it and not even noticed it.

White tomb of King Haakon VII and Queen Maud on the left and green tomb of their son King Olav V and his wife Princess Märtha of Sweden, Crown Princess of Norway on the right; Photo Credit – © Susan Flantzer

In the mausoleum behind a gate are two sarcophagi. King Haakon VII of Norway (1872 – 1957) and his wife Queen Maud of Norway (1869 – 1938) are interred in the white sarcophagus and their son King Olav V of Norway (1903 – 1991) and his wife Crown Princess Märtha of Norway, Princess Märtha of Sweden (1901 – 1954), who died before her husband became king, are interred in the green sarcophagus. Arnstein Rynning Arneberg designed both sarcophagi.

The grave marker of King Sigurd I of Norway; Photo Credit – © Susan Flantzer

The remains of King Sigurd I of Norway (circa 1090 – 1130), originally buried at the Old Cathedral in Oslo, King Haakon V of Norway (1270 – 1319), the original builder of Akershus Fortress, and his second wife Queen Euphemia (circa 1280 – 1312), both originally buried at St. Mary’s Church in Oslo, were transferred from their original burial places to the Royal Mausoleum where they are interred in crypts in the wall outside the Royal Mausoleum.

The grave marker of King Haakon V of Norway and his second wife Queen Euphemia; Photo Credit – © Susan Flantzer

Other Areas of Akershus Fortress

Akershus Fortress is an impressive structure, inside and outside. Here are some photographs of the interior.

The Castle Church; Photo Credit – © Susan Flantzer

Olav V Hall: Probably the location of the Great Hall of the medieval castle; Photo Credit – © Susan Flantzer

Margrethe Hall: Named for Margrethe I, Queen of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden – In the Middle Ages, it was the primary living room for the court. Photo Credit – © Susan Flantzer

The Prince’s Chamber was originally part of the royal apartments;  Photo Credit – © Susan Flantzer

Romerike Hall: Named for the Romerike peasants who repaired this wing after a fire in 1527. In the 17th century, the Steward of Norway had offices here. Today the Romerike Hall is used for official banquets. Photo Credit – © Susan Flantzer

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Works Cited

  • Akershus Fortress. (2023). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akershus_Fortress
  • Bidragsydere til Wikimedia-projekter. (2006). Akershus slot. Wikipedia.org; Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. https://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akershus_slot
  • Bidragsytere til Wikimedia-prosjektene. (2004). bygningskompleks i Oslo. Wikipedia.org; Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. https://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akershus_slott_og_festning
  • Discover Kvadraturen | Discover the Square. (2024). Discover Kvadraturen. https://www.oppdagkvadraturen.no/en/
  • Visitor Guide Akershus Castle. (2022). Digitaltmuseum.no. https://digitaltmuseum.no/0211811930788/visitor-guide-akershus-castle

Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg to Abdicate

© Unofficial Royalty 2024

Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg; Credit – Wikipedia

In his Christmas Eve speech on December 24, 2024, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg announced that he would abdicate in favor of his eldest son Prince Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg on October 3, 2025. The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg has a history of abdications. On November 12, 1964, Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg signed the declaration of abdication after a reign that lasted nearly 46 years. Her eldest son became the new reigning Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg. On October 7, 2000, Grand Duke Jean abdicated in favor of his eldest son Grand Duke Henri.

Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg was born on April 16, 1955, in Betzdorf Castle in Luxembourg. He is the eldest son and the second of the five children of Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg and Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium. Henri married María Teresa Mestre y Batista-Falla civilly at the Grand Ducal Palace in Luxembourg City on February 4, 1981, and religiously on February 14, 1981, at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Luxembourg City. The couple had five children.

Prince Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg; Credit – Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

Prince Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg was born on November 11, 1981, at the Grand Duchess Charlotte Maternity Hospital in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. As the eldest son, Guillaume became Hereditary Grand Duke in 2000 when his father acceded to the throne upon the abdication of Grand Duke Jean. Prince Guillaume married Countess Stéphanie de Lanoy in a civil ceremony at the City Hall in Luxembourg City, on October 19, 2012. Their religious wedding took place on October 20, 2012, at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Luxembourg City.

Prince Charles of Luxembourg with his parents in 2023

Guillaume and Stéphanie have two sons. Their elder son Prince Charles of Luxembourg, born  May 10, 2020, will become the Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg when his father becomes the Grand Duke of Luxembourg.

Read more about the Luxembourg Grand Ducal Family at Unofficial Royalty: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Index.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

National Day of Sweden – June 6 – Sweden

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2024

Swedish National Day Celebration at Skansen, an open-air museum in Stockholm, Sweden in 2016; Credit – Av Bengt Nyman – Eget arbete, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49299826

History

Skansen Entrance Building; Credit – By Pwagenblast – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31962088

The idea of a national day started at Skansen, an open-air museum in Stockholm, Sweden, still in existence (which this author has been fortunate to visit), designed to show the way of life in the different parts of Sweden before the industrial era. On June 6, 1893, Skansen had its spring festival and chose to celebrate the day in a nationalist spirit. The celebration was the idea of Artur Hazelius, a teacher, scholar, folklorist, and founder of the Nordic Museum and Skansen.

Gustav I Vasa, King of Sweden; Credit – Wikipedia

Two historic events occurred on June 6. Gustav Vasa was elected King of Sweden on June 6, 1523. The 1809 Instrument of Government was adopted on June 6, 1809, by the Riksdag (the Swedish legislature) and King Carl XIII of Sweden. It was the constitution of the Kingdom of Sweden from 1809 until it was replaced by the Instrument of Government of 1974.

After the celebration on June 6, 1893, Artur Hazelius wrote in Skansen’s yearbook for 1893 that “just as the holiday of patriotic memories has been introduced at Skansen on June 6, Gustafsdagen, which has been celebrated there and will henceforth be celebrated as Swedish national day”. In 1894, a Swedish newspaper wrote that June 6 “like last year will be celebrated as Swedish National Day”. However, it took a long time before June 6 gained status as a national day. In 1916, June 6 became the Swedish Flag Day, celebrating Sweden acquiring its own flag following the dissolution of the  United Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway in 1905.

In 1983, June 6 was named Swedish National Day by the Riksdag, the Swedish legislature. It became a public holiday in 2005 replacing Whit Monday. This change led to fewer days off from work because June 6 will periodically fall on the weekend, unlike Whit Monday, which was always celebrated on a Monday.

What Happens on Swedish National Day?

Swedish National Day Celebration at the Royal Palace in Stockholm; Credit – By Frankie Fouganthin – Own work CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=39867164

Swedish National Day celebrations are subdued. There are no fireworks or spectacular national events. It is the day that Swedes celebrate their nationality. At a ceremony at the Royal Palace in Stockholm, new Swedish citizens receive their certificate of citizenship and are welcomed by the Swedish monarch. However, most new Swedish citizens receive their certificate of citizenship during Swedish National Day ceremonies in their towns.

Though the celebrations are subdued, an annual event occurs at Skansen, the open-air museum in Stockholm. Children present the Swedish monarch and his/her spouse with flowers, and then the flag is raised. The royal family attends celebrations, which include traditional folk dancing, flag-making, history lectures, performances, and much more.

King Carl XVI and Queen Silvia visit Strängnäs on Swedish National Day, June 6, 2023

During the day, the Swedish monarch and his/her spouse usually visit a city and participate in the National Day events. In 2023, King Carl XVI and Queen Silvia visited the city of Strängnäs to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the day on which Gustav Vasa was elected King of Sweden in Strängnäs in 1523.

Crown Princess Victoria, Princess Estelle, Prince Oscar, and Prince Daniel welcome visitors to the Royal Palace in Stockholm on June 6, 2023; Photo by PELLE T NILSSON/Swedish Press Agency

Crown Princess Victoria and her family usually welcome visitors to the Royal Palace in Stockholm, which has free admission on Sweden’s National Day. During the day, the public also had the opportunity to visit Logården (the Royal Palace’s garden) and the Bernadotte Library, which are normally closed to visitors.

Changing of the Guard in the Outer Courtyard of the Royal Palace in Stockholm on June 6, 2023; Credit – Photo by PELLE T NILSSON/Swedish Press Agency

Prince Carl Philip usually attends the changing of the guard in the Outer Courtyard at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. After the changing of the guard, twenty-one gun salutes are fired from Skeppsholmen, Kastellholmen, and HMS Kullen, a minesweeper in the Swedish Navy.

King Carl XVI Gustaf & Queen Silvia arrive at Skansen on June 6, 2023. Photo: Clément Morin

The Royal Family, wearing traditional dress, travels by horse-drawn carriages to watch the National Day celebrations on the Solliden Stage at Skansen. Children dress up in peasant outfits and present bouquets containing blue and yellow flowers to the Swedish monarch and his/her spouse. During the celebrations, the Swedish monarch presents banners to various associations. The Swedish flag is raised and activities include folk dancing, flag-making, and historical performances.

National Day reception at the Nordic Museum on June 6, 2023. Photo: Clément Morin

In the evening, there is a National Day reception and a Military Tatoo. In 2023, to mark the 500th anniversary of Gustav Vasa’s election as King of Sweden, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia invited representatives from the Government, the Riksdag (the Swedish legislature), the diplomatic corps, and other officials to a National Day Reception at the Nordic Museum. The evening concluded with a military tattoo at the Nordic Museum.

Military Tatoo on June 6, 2023; Photo: Clément Morin

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Works Cited

  • National Day Calendar. (2019). NATIONAL DAY OF SWEDEN – June 6. National Day Calendar. https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/international/national-day-of-sweden-june-6
  • National Day of Sweden. (2020). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Day_of_Sweden
  • Sveriges nationaldag. (2020, November 25). Wikipedia. https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sveriges_nationaldag
  • Sweden’s National Day 2022. (2022). Kungahuset.se. https://www.kungahuset.se/english/archive/news/2022-06-06-swedens-national-day-2022
  • Sweden’s National Day 2023. (2023). Kungahuset.se. https://www.kungahuset.se/english/archive/news/2023-06-06-swedens-national-day-2023

Princess Birgitta of Sweden – Funeral and Burial Information

Princess Birgitta of Sweden, Princess of Hohenzollern; Credit: Wikipedia

The funeral of Princess Birgitta of Sweden, Princess of Hohenzollern sister of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, will be held on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at the Royal Chapel at Drottningholm Palace in Ekerö Municipality, Sweden followed by the burial at the Royal Burial Ground in Haga Park in Solna, Sweden. In accordance with Princess Birgitta’s wishes, the funeral and burial will take place in the circle of family and special invitees.

Princess Birgitta, the second of the four elder sisters of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, died, aged 87, on December 4, 2024, in Majorca, Spain, where she lived. She is the first of the five siblings to die. Born January 19, 1937, at the Haga Palace in Solna, Sweden, Princess Birgitta was the second of the five children and the second of the four daughters of Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten and Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Sadly, her father Prince Gustaf Adolf of Sweden, Duke of Västerbotten died in an airplane crash in 1947, when Princess Birgitta was ten years old. Princess Birgitta was the widow of Prince Johann Georg of Hohenzollern. They had three children and six grandchildren.

Nobel Peace Prize Events – Norway – December 10

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2024

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate President Barack Obama delivers his Nobel Lecture during the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony at Olso City Hall on December 10, 2009. Seated in the chairs on the right are King Harald V, Queen Sonja, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and Crown Prince Haakon; Credit – Wikipedia from The Official White House Photostream

On December 10th of each year, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death in 1896, the Chairperson of the Norwegian Nobel Committee presents the Nobel Peace Prize at the Oslo City Hall in Oslo, Norway. Each recipient, known as a laureate, receives an 18-carat green gold medal plated with 24-carat gold, a diploma, and a monetary award. In attendance are the Norwegian Monarch, his/her spouse, members of the Norwegian royal family, officials of the Norwegian government, representatives of the Storting (the Norwegian legislature), and an invited audience. Later the same day, the Norwegian Nobel Committee hosts a banquet in honor of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate(s) also attended by the Norwegian royal family.

*********************

Who was Alfred Nobel?

Alfred Nobel; Credit – Wikipedia

Alfred Nobel (1833 – 1896) was a Swedish chemist, inventor, engineer, and businessman, known for inventing dynamite. His invention of dynamite in 1866 was developed with the idea of using it for mining, not for war. However, just four years later, dynamite was used by the Prussians and the French in the Franco-Prussian War (1870 – 1871). In 1891, Nobel commented about his dynamite factories, “Perhaps my factories will put an end to war sooner than your congresses: on the day that two army corps can mutually annihilate each other in a second, all civilized nations will surely recoil with horror and disband their troops.” Alfred Nobel died in 1896, so he was not alive during World War I to see how wrong his idea was.

Nobel’s friend Countess Bertha von Suttner; Credit – Wikipedia

In 1876, Austro-Bohemian Countess Bertha von Suttner became Nobel’s secretary. She left the position after a short time to marry but corresponded with Nobel until he died in 1896. During the 1880s, von Suttner began developing pacifist ideas, ideas her friend Nobel was also considering due to the effects of more powerful weapons. In 1889, von Suttner became a leading figure in the peace movement when her pacifist novel, Die Waffen Nieder! (Lay Down Your Arms!) was published. It is believed that von Suttner had a major influence on Nobel’s decision to include a peace prize among the prizes provided in his will. Bertha von Suttner was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 “for her audacity to oppose the horrors of war.”

On December 10, 1896, 63-year-old Alfred Nobel died in his villa in San Remo, Italy, from a cerebral hemorrhage. In his will, Nobel left instructions that his fortune be used to create a series of prizes for those who develop the “greatest benefit on mankind” in physics, chemistry, physiology, medicine, literature, and peace. Nobel bequeathed 94% of his total assets to establish the five Nobel Prizes. A sixth prize for Economic Sciences, endowed by Sweden’s central bank, Sveriges Riksbank, was first presented in 1969.

*********************

The Nobel Peace Prize

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai displays her medal and diploma during the Nobel Peace Prize awards ceremony at the City Hall in Oslo, Norway, on December 10, 2014

Alfred Nobel’s will states that the Peace Prize shall be given “to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.” Nobel’s will further state that the Nobel Peace Prize laureate will be selected by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, a five-member committee appointed by the Storting (the Norwegian legislature). Sweden administers the other Nobel Prizes. Why the Swedish Alfred Nobel decided that Norway should administer the Peace Prize is unclear. When Nobel died in 1896, Norway and Sweden were still the United Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway with Sweden in charge of foreign policy. There is speculation that Nobel may have considered Norway better suited to awarding the Peace Prize because it did not have the same militaristic traditions as Sweden.

Each year, the Norwegian Nobel Committee invites eligible people to submit nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize. According to the statutes of the Nobel Foundation those eligible to submit nominations are:

Unlike the Nobel Prizes, the Peace Prize is occasionally awarded to an organization.

*********************

Nobel Peace Prize Ceremonies and Events

The Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony takes place at Oslo City Hall in Oslo, Norway on December 10th of each year, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death. The Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee presents the Nobel Peace Prize in the presence of the Norwegian monarch and the Norwegian royal family.

Several ceremonies occur on December 10 which Norwegian royal family members may attend.

Save the Children Peace Prize Party in 2015. Crown Princess Mette-Marit and her son Prince Sverre Magnus are on the right

  • Save the Children Peace Prize Party
  • December 10 at 11:00 AM
  • Location: Nobel Peace Center

The Save the Children Peace Prize Party is a show made by and for children with representatives of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate(s) as guests of honor. Children from 5th, 6th, and 7th grade are in the audience.

2023 Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony. King Harald V, Queen Sonja, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and Crown Prince Haakon sit in the four chairs in the aisle.

  • Nobel Peace Prize Award Ceremony
  • December 10 at 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
  • Location: Oslo City Hall

The ceremony starts with musical performances, followed by the speech of the Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate(s) receive their diploma and gold medal from the Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee in the presence of the Norwegian monarch and the Norwegian royal family, and then they give their Nobel Lectures.

Torchlight procession from Oslo Central Station to the Grand Hotel in 2023; Credit – Wikipedia by Kimberli Mäkäräinen

The torchlight procession, organized by the Norwegian Peace Council, starts at Oslo Central Station and ends in front of the Grand Hotel, where the Nobel Peace Prize laureate(s) greet the parade from the Grand Balcony of the Nobel Suite.

2009 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama wave from the Grand Balcony of the Nobel Suite at the Grand Hotel.

Left to Right: Crown Prince Haakon, Queen Sonja, Ali Rahmani, Kiana Rahmani, King Harald V, Crown Princess Mette Marit, and Taghi Rahmani arrive at the Nobel Banquet on December 10, 2023. The 2023 Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi was imprisoned and was represented by her 17-year-old twin children and her husband, who live in exile in Paris. Narges Mohammadi received the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and the fight for human rights and freedom for all.

  • The Nobel Banquet
  • December 10 at 7:30
  • Location: Grand Hotel

More than 200 guests attend the Nobel Banquet at The Grand Hotel in Oslo. Seated with the laureate(s) are the Norwegian monarch and his/her spouse the President of the Storting, the Prime Minister, and members of the Nobel Committee. Other guests usually include the Crown Prince or the Crown Princess and his/her spouse, government ministers, members of the Storting, and representatives of public institutions, non-profit organizations, and cultural and commercial life.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Works Cited

  • Bertha von Suttner. (2022). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bertha_von_Suttner
  • Bidragsytere til Wikimedia-prosjektene. (2004). svensk kjemiker, ingeniør, oppfinner og filantrop. Wikipedia.org; Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. https://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Nobel
  • Nobels Fredspris. (2021). Wikipedia. https://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobels_fredspris
  • Press Program for the Nobel Peace Prize Events 2023 – Nobel Peace Prize. (2023). Www.nobelpeaceprize.org. https://www.nobelpeaceprize.org/press/press-releases/press-program-for-the-nobel-peace-prize-events-2023
  • Royen, Ulrika. (2021). The Nobel Prize Award Ceremonies and Banquets – NobelPrize.org. NobelPrize.org. https://www.nobelprize.org/ceremony/the-nobel-prize-award-ceremonies-and-banquets/
  • ‌Royen, Ulrika. (2024). The Nobel Peace Prize Award Ceremony 2024 – NobelPrize.org. NobelPrize.org. https://www.nobelprize.org/ceremony/the-nobel-peace-prize-award-ceremony-2024/
  • Wikipedia Contributors. (2019). Alfred Nobel. Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Nobel
  • Wikipedia Contributors. (2019). Nobel Peace Prize. Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel_Peace_Prize

 

Nobel Prize Events – Sweden – December 10

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2024

1950 Nobel Prize medal in Physiology/Medicine awarded to researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota; Photograph: Erik Lindberg –  File:NobelPrize.JPG, PD-US, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=58432969

Except for the Nobel Peace Prize, presented in Oslo, Norway, the Nobel Prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Economic Sciences are presented in Stockholm, Sweden. On December 10th of each year, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death in 1896, the Swedish monarch presents the Nobel Prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Economic Sciences at the Stockholm Concert Hall in Stockholm, Sweden. Each recipient, known as a laureate, receives an 18-carat green gold medal plated with 24-carat gold, a diploma, and a monetary award. The ceremony is followed by a banquet at the Stockholm City Hall for about 1,300 people, including 250 students.

Queen Silvia, Prince Daniel, King Carl XVI, and Crown Princess Victoria attend the 2023 Nobel Prize Award Ceremony

In attendance are the Swedish Monarch, his/her spouse, members of the Swedish royal family, representatives of the Swedish Riksdag (the Swedish legislature), representatives of the Swedish Government, international guests especially those who represent the sciences and cultural life, and Swedish citizens who participate in Nobel Prize-related functions.

*********************

Who was Alfred Nobel?

Alfred Nobel; Credit – Wikipedia 

Alfred Nobel (1833 – 1896) was a Swedish chemist, inventor, engineer, and businessman, known for inventing dynamite. His invention of dynamite in 1866 was developed with the idea of using it for mining, not for war. However, just four years later, dynamite was used by the Prussians and the French in the Franco-Prussian War (1870 – 1871). In 1891, Nobel commented about his dynamite factories, “Perhaps my factories will put an end to war sooner than your congresses: on the day that two army corps can mutually annihilate each other in a second, all civilized nations will surely recoil with horror and disband their troops.” Alfred Nobel died in 1896, so he was not alive during World War I to see how wrong his idea was.

On December 10, 1896, 63-year-old Alfred Nobel died in his villa in San Remo, Italy, from a cerebral hemorrhage. In his will, Nobel left instructions that his fortune be used to create a series of prizes for those who develop the “greatest benefit on mankind” in physics, chemistry, physiology, medicine, literature, and peace. Nobel bequeathed 94% of his total assets to establish the five Nobel Prizes. A sixth prize for Economic Sciences, endowed by Sweden’s central bank, Sveriges Riksbank, was first presented in 1969.

*********************

The Nobel Prizes

The Nobel Prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Economic Sciences, are administered by five Nobel Committees, one for each Nobel prize. These committees come from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (for the prizes in physics, chemistry, and economic sciences), the Karolinska Institute (for the prize in physiology or medicine), and the Swedish Academy (for the prize in literature).

Nomination forms are sent by the Nobel Committees to about 3,000 individuals, usually in September the year before the prizes are awarded. These individuals are generally prominent academics working in an area relevant to each Nobel Prize. The Nobel Committees prepare reports reflecting the advice of experts in the relevant fields. The reports and a list of preliminary candidates are then submitted to the prize-awarding institutions: the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for the prizes in physics, chemistry, and economic sciences, the Karolinska Institute for the prize in physiology or medicine, and the Swedish Academy for the prize in literature. Each institution then meets to choose the laureate(s) in for each Nobel Prize by a majority vote.

*********************

Nobel Prize Ceremonies and Events

The Nobel Lectures

Jon Fosse, Norwegian author, playwright, and 2023 Literature Nobel Prize Laureate, gives his Nobel Lecture at the Swedish Academy in Stockholm, Sweden, on December 7, 2023.

The Nobel Foundation statutes state that each laureate is required to give a public lecture on a subject related to the topic of their Nobel Prize within six months of receiving the prize. The Nobel Lectures usually occur during Nobel Week, the week leading up to the award ceremony and banquet. The lectures are organized by the same association which selected the laureates.

The Nobel Prize Award Ceremony

The Nobel Prize Awards Ceremony on December 10, 2023. Queen Silvia, King Carl XVI Gustaf, Prince Daniel, and Crown Princess Victoria can be seen on the right.

The Nobel Prize Award Ceremony takes place at 4:00 PM at the Stockholm Concert Hall in Stockholm, Sweden on December 10th of each year, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death. While at the Nobel Peace Prize Award Ceremony in Oslo, Norway, the Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee presents the Nobel Peace Prize in the presence of the Norwegian monarch, in Sweden, the Swedish monarch presents the Nobel Prizes to the laureates.

King Carl XVI Gustaf presents the Nobel Prize in Chemistry to Moungi Bawendi in 2023

The Nobel Prize Award Ceremony begins with the Swedish Royal Anthem Kungssången followed by a short piece of music played by the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra while the Nobel Laureates take their seats. The Chairman of the Board of the Nobel Foundation makes an introductory speech followed by a short piece of music.

Each of the five Nobel Prizes – Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Economic Sciences – is introduced by an academic in that field of study. The laureates then receive their diploma and gold medal from the Swedish monarch. After each Nobel Prize presentation, the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra plays a short piece of music. The ceremony ends with the playing of the Swedish National Anthem Du gamla, Du fria. As the guests leave, the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra plays a lively piece of music.

The Nobel Banquet

The Nobel Prize Banquet at Stockholm City Hall on December 10, 2023

The Nobel Banquet is held on December 10th of each year in the Blue Hall of Stockholm City Hall after the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony. The Nobel Banquet is a formal affair, and for men, the dress code is white tie, and orders and decorations should be worn. Approximately 1,300 guests attend including 200 students. The Swedish royal family attends as guests of honor. The Nobel Prize laureates are usually accompanied by their entire family.

King Carl XVI Gustaf and Astrid Söderbergh Widding, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Nobel Foundation and Queen Silvia and Vidar Helgesen, Executive Director of the Nobel Foundation descend the Grand Stairway into the Blue Hall of the Stockholm City Hall in 2023

The banquet begins with the entry procession of the Swedish royal family and guests of honor down the Grand Stairway and into the Blue Hall at 7:00 PM.

During the banquet, which lasts four hours, each Nobel laureate gives a speech, usually of a lighter nature. Two ceremonial toasts are given – one to the Swedish monarch and one the Swedish monarch gives in memory of Alfred Nobel. The speeches and toasts are presented by the banquet’s toastmaster, traditionally a Swedish student who holds the job for four years. Musical interludes are performed in between courses.

Golden Hall in Stockholm City Hall; Credit – Av Holger.Ellgaard – Eget arbete, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5820905

The banquet ends at around 11:00 PM. Dancing then begins in the Golden Hall of Stockholm City Hall.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Works Cited

  • Bidragsgivare till Wikimedia-projekten. (2005). Bankett Hållen i Blå Hallen i Stockholms Stadshus efter utdelningen av Nobelpriset. Wikipedia.org; Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobelbanketten
  • Royen, Ulrika. (2021). The Nobel Prize Award Ceremonies and Banquets – NobelPrize.org. NobelPrize.org. https://www.nobelprize.org/ceremony/the-nobel-prize-award-ceremonies-and-banquets/
  • Royen, Ulrika. (2023). The Nobel Prize Award Ceremony 2023 – NobelPrize.org. NobelPrize.org. https://www.nobelprize.org/ceremony/the-nobel-prize-award-ceremony-2023/
  • Stockholm Award Ceremony Program 2023. (2023). Bawendi, M., Brus, L., & Yekimov, A. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from https://www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2023/12/stockholm-award-ceremony-program-2023.pdf
  • Wikipedia Contributors. (2019). Alfred Nobel. Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Nobel
  • Wikipedia Contributors. (2024). Nobel Banquet. Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation.
  • Wikipedia Contributors. (2018). Nobel Prize. Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel_Prize

Sweden – Accession to the Throne

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2024

King Carl XVI Gustaf sitting on the Silver Throne of Queen Cristina during the Royal Affirmation Ceremony on September 19, 1973

The last accession to the Swedish throne occurred when 27-year-old King Carl XVI Gustaf succeeded his grandfather King Gustaf VI Adolf who died on September 15, 1973.

At the time of Carl Gustaf’s birth in 1946, the current King of Sweden was his great-grandfather King Gustaf V (reigned 1907 – 1950). On January 26, 1947, when Carl Gustaf was only nine months old, his father Prince Gustaf Adolf of Sweden, Duke of Västerbotten died in an airplane crash at Kastrup Airport near Copenhagen, Denmark. Prince Gustaf Adolf had been second in the line of succession behind his father, the future King Gustaf VI Adolf (reigned 1950 – 1973) and his son four-year-old Prince Carl Gustaf had been third in the line of succession. When his father died Carl Gustaf became second in the line of succession behind his grandfather. Carl Gustaf’s great-grandfather King Gustaf V died on October 29, 1950, and his grandfather became King Gustaf VI Adolf while four-year-old Carl Gustaf became Crown Prince.

History

King Oscar II, wearing the Regalia of Sweden, was the last monarch of Sweden to have a coronation (1873); Credit – Wikipedia

King Eric X was the first King of Sweden known to have a coronation. He was crowned in November 1210 in Uppsala, then the religious center of Sweden, by Archbishop Valerius of Uppsala. Coronations were held in various cities during the 13th and 14th centuries. From the middle of the 15th century onward, coronations were held at Uppsala Cathedral or the Storkyrkan (The Great Church) in Stockholm. The only exception is the coronation of King Gustav IV Adolf, which took place in Norrköping in 1800, where the Riksdag (Swedish legislature) was located because the political atmosphere in Stockholm was considered too uncertain.

Following the coronation of King Oscar II in 1873, all subsequent Swedish monarchs chose not to be crowned although there is no law preventing a coronation.

Since 1594, all Swedish monarchs have issued the required Konungaförsäkran (King’s Declaration). The King’s Declaration stated that the Swedish monarch would fulfill the duties required but not exceed them. For example, this meant that the Swedish monarch promised not to start a war without consulting the Riksdag and the Government and would follow the statutes of the constitution. The royal declaration also included the more solemn royal oath. However, the current Basic Laws of Sweden no longer mandate a King’s Declaration.

The Royal Affirmation, a eulogy for the deceased monarch and the announcement of the new monarch’s accession to the throne, is usually the new monarch’s first public statement. The new monarch also announces their royal name, title, and motto and gives a speech.

What Happened?

Minister for Justice Lennart Geijer administering the King’s Oath to King Carl XVI Gustaf in the Council Room at the Royal Palace; Credit – Photo: TT

On September 19, 1973, King Carl XVI Gustaf took the then-required King’s Declaration and Oath during a meeting of the Council of State, was enthroned in a simple ceremony, and made an accession speech.

The King’s Declaration and Oath

The Council Chamber at the Royal Palace of Stockholm; By Øyvind Holmstad – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=45911100

King Carl XVI Gustaf swore The King’s Declaration and Oath before the Council of State in the Council Chamber at the Royal Palace of Stockholm on Wednesday, September 19, 1973, at 2:00 p.m. The King’s paternal uncle Prince Bertil also participated in the council. Prime Minister Olof Palme read King Gustaf VI Adolf’s death certificate. Minister for Justice Lennart Geijer administered the King’s Oath to King Carl XVI Gustaf. After the oath was sworn, King Carl XVI Gustaf signed it.

King Carl XVI Gustaf’s King’s Declaration and Oath read as follows:

“We, Carl Gustaf, King of Sweden, solemnly swear that as it pleased the most high God, to call upon the formerly Most Mighty High Prince and Lord Gustaf VI Adolf, King of Sweden, Göte and Vende, and We, according to and by virtue of the Estates of the Kingdom of Sweden established on September 26, 1810, and the established Order of Succession, ascend to the Royal Swedish Throne.

Therefore, We hereby solemnly and most strongly affirm that We will govern the Kingdom according to the literal form of government established by the Estates of the Kingdom on June 6, 1809, and adopted by the King and the Estates of the Kingdom for compliance, as well as the Kingdom’s other valid constitutions, general laws, and make statutes.

We will, in accordance with the just-mentioned form of government, make laws, as a righteous King, and be a devoted father to the Swedish people, through a legal, just, and gentle government. May We with the help of God the most high, and with a clear conscience, to the best of Our ability, be able to defend, seek, and promote the true benefit and good of the kingdom and every citizen. Through free will and after mature consideration, We therefore confirm with the signature of Our name and with this oath, that We will comply with and fulfill this. So true, God help me for life and soul.”

The King then announced his royal name, title, and motto: “Since my dear ancestor, King of Sweden, the Goths and the Wends, Gustaf VI Adolf has died, I have succeeded Him as King of our nation. My regnal name shall be Carl XVI Gustaf, my regnal title shall be King of Sweden, and my motto shall be For Sweden – With the Times.”

Royal Affirmation

King Carl XVI Gustaf reading his Royal Affirmation; Credit – Bernadotte Library’s image archive

King Carl XVI Gustaf then appeared before the Riksdag (Swedish Parliament), the diplomatic corps, and other Swedish officials, for a ceremony in the Hall of State at the Royal Palace of Stockholm.

The impressive Hall of State in the Royal Palace in Stockholm and Silver Throne of Queen Cristina; Photo Credit: © Susan Flantzer

In the Hall of State, sitting on the Silver Throne of Queen Cristina, King Carl XVI Gustaf gave a speech in remembrance of his grandfather King Gustaf VI Adolf. Like his two predecessors, King Gustaf V and King Gustaf VI Adolf, King Carl XVI was not crowned. The Regalia of Sweden were displayed on cushions to the right and left of the Silver Throne but were never given to the king.

King Carl XVI Gustaf with his four sisters on the balcony of the Royal Palace of Stockholm

After the ceremonies, King Carl XVI Gustaf waved to the crowds from the balcony of the Royal Palace of Stockholm. He was joined by his four elder sisters Princess Margaretha, Princess Birgitta, Princess Désirée, Princess Christina and his paternal uncle Prince Bertil.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Works Cited

  • Bidragsgivare till Wikimedia-projekten. (2005). Anger kungens förpliktelse vid trontillträdet. Wikipedia.org; Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konungaf%C3%B6rs%C3%A4kran
  • Bidragsgivare till Wikimedia-projekten. (2011). Kröningar av Sveriges regent. Wikipedia.org; Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svenska_kr%C3%B6ningar
  • Carl XVI Gustaf. (2022). Wikipedia. https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_XVI_Gustaf
  • HM The King. (2016). Kungahuset.se. https://www.kungahuset.se/english/royal-house/hm-the-king#h-Biography
  • Wikipedia Contributors. (2024). Coronation of the Swedish monarch. Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation.

Royal Burial Ground in Haga Park in Solna, Sweden

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2024

The bridge and gate to the Royal Burial Ground in Haga Park; Credit – Wikipedia

The Royal Burial Ground (in Swedish Kungliga Begravningsplatsen) in Haga Park in Solna, Sweden, is located just north of Stockholm on the island of Karlsborg in the Bay of Brunnsviken. The Royal Burial Ground was established in 1922 and now covers the whole island.

Karlsborg Island where the Royal Cemetery is located; Credit – Wikipedia

Born Princess Margaret of Connaught, the daughter of Queen Victoria’s son Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, Crown Princess Margeret of Sweden, the first wife of the future King Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden (reigned 1950 – 1973), came up with the idea to build a cemetery on the island. Margaret loved gardens and the outdoors and expressed her desire not to be buried inside a church. Riddarholmen Church, the traditional site for royal ceremonies, funerals, and burials, no longer had space for new burials. Margaret and Gustaf Adolf picked a site for the future burial site of the Swedish royal family near Haga Palace whose park was located on the Bay of Brunnsviken. The tip of a small cape was excavated to form Karlsborg Island where the new Royal Cemetery in Haga Park would be located. The entrance to the cemetery is accessible by a small bridge from the mainland part of Haga Park. Swedish architect Ferdinand Boberg designed the bridge to the island and the cemetery.

Crown Prince Margaret of Sweden; Credit – Wikipedia

Ironically, Crown Princess Margaret was the first member of the Swedish royal family to be buried at the Royal Burial Ground. Margaret was eight months pregnant with her sixth child in 1920 when she underwent mastoid surgery. An infection set in, killing Margaret, at the age of 38, and her unborn child on May 1, 1920, her father’s 70th birthday. Her family along with the Swedish and British public mourned her death greatly.

Grave of Crown Princess Margaret, her husband King Gustaf VI Adolf, and his second wife Queen Louise; Credit – Wikipedia

Until the Royal Burial Ground was completed, Crown Princess Margaret was temporarily interred at the Storkyrkan (The Great Church) next to the Royal Palace in Stockholm, Sweden. In 1922, Margaret’s remains were transferred to a burial site in the Royal Burial Ground that Margaret and her husband had chosen for themselves. Since 1922, with a few exceptions, all male members of the House of Bernadotte and their wives have been buried at the Royal Burial Ground. (See Wikipedia: Family buried elsewhere since 1922.) Recently deceased Princess Birgitta, sister of current King Carl XVI Gustaf and daughter of Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten, who would have been King of Sweden if he had not died in a plane crash, is expected to be buried at the Royal Burial Ground in keeping with her wishes.

The grave of Prince Gustaf Adolf and Princess Sibylla, parents of Carl XVI Gustaf, the current King of Sweden; Credit – By Holger.Ellgaard, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2431747

Burials at the Royal Burial Ground in Haga Park in Solna, Sweden:

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Works Cited

  • Bidragsgivare till Wikimedia-projekten. (2005). Kyrkogård för svenska kungliga familjen. Wikipedia.org; Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kungliga_begravningsplatsen#Andra_kungliga_gravplatser
  • The Royal Cemetery. (2023). Kungligaslotten.se. https://www.kungligaslotten.se/english/royal-palaces-and-sites/royal-national-city-park/the-royal-cemetery.html
  • ‌Wikipedia Contributors. (2023). Kungliga begravningsplatsen. Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation

Breaking News: Princess Birgitta of Sweden, Princess of Hohenzollern has died

Princess Birgitta of Sweden, Princess of Hohenzollern; Credit – Wikipedia

Princess Birgitta of Sweden, Princess of Hohenzollern, one of the four elder sisters of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, died, aged 87, on December 4, 2024, in Majorca, Spain, where she lived. She is the first of the five siblings to die.

Her brother King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden made the following statement:

“With great sadness today I have received the news that my sister, Princess Birgitta, has died. My sister was a colorful and straightforward person who will be deeply missed by me and my family. Together with my entire family today I send my condolences to Princess Birgitta’s children and grandchildren.”

Princess Birgitta Ingeborg Alice of Sweden was born on January 19, 1937, at the Haga Palace in Solna, Sweden. She was the second of the five children and the second of the four daughters of Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten and Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Her paternal grandparents were King Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden and Princess Margaret of Connaught, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria. Her maternal grandparents were Charles Edward, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, a grandson of Queen Victoria, and Princess Victoria Adelaide of Schleswig-Holstein. Sadly, her father Prince Gustaf Adolf of Sweden, Duke of Västerbotten died in an airplane crash in 1947, when Princess Birgitta was ten years old.

Princess Birgitta met her future husband, Prince Johann Georg of Hohenzollern, a fine arts expert, at a cocktail party in Germany in 1959. Their engagement was announced in December 1960. The couple was married in a civil ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden on May 25, 1961. A religious ceremony followed on May 30, 1961, at the parish church of St John The Evangelist at Sigmaringen Castle, the seat of the Princes of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, in the Swabian Alb region of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Because her husband was of princely status, Birgitta retained her royal style and title as Princess of Sweden and was the only one of her sisters to remain an official member of the Swedish Royal House.

Princess Birgitta and Prince Johann Georg had three children:

  • Prince Carl Christian of Hohenzollern (born 1962), married Nicole Helene Neschitsch, had one son
  • Princess Désirée of Hohenzollern (born 1963), married (1) Heinrich, Count of Ortenburg, had two sons and one daughter, divorced (2) Eckbert von Bohlen and Halbach, no children
  • Prince Hubertus of Hohenzollern (born 1966), married Uta Maria König, had one son and one daughter

Princess Birgitta and her husband separated in 1990 but remained married. Prince Johann Georg lived in Munich, Germany while Princess Birgitta lived on the island of Majorca, in Spain. They were occasionally seen together at family functions. Prince Johann Georg of Hohenzollern died in Munich, Germany on March 2, 2016, following a brief illness at the age of 83.

Read more about the Swedish royal family at Unofficial Royalty: Kingdom of Sweden Index

Spain – Solemn Opening of the Cortes Generales, Spain’s Legislature

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2024

The Palacio de las Cortes in Madrid, Spain decorated for the Solemn Opening of the Cortes Generales; Credit – Wikipedia

The Solemn Opening of the Cortes Generales, the legislature of Spain, occurs approximately two weeks after the investiture of the Prime Minister of Spain, after the holding of general elections and the formation of a new government. It takes place at the Palacio de las Cortes in Madrid Spain, the meeting place in the chamber of the Congress of Deputies, the lower house of the Cortes Generales, the Spanish legislature. The newly elected members of the Congress of Deputies and the Senate of Spain, the upper house, are summoned to attend. Also attending are the members of the Constitutional Court of Spain and the General Council of the Judiciary, regional presidents, the Presidents of the legislative assemblies of the Autonomous Communities, and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps.

The Spanish Monarch, wearing the Gold Medal of the Senate and the Gold Medal of the Congress of Deputies, his or her spouse, and members of the Spanish royal family attend the Solemn Opening of the Cortes Generales. They are accompanied to the Palacio de las Cortes by the Royal Escort Squadron, the cavalry unit of the Spanish Royal Guard.

Embed from Getty Images
Infanta Leonor, The Princess of Asturias (heir presumptive to the throne), King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stand during the National Anthem as they arrive for the Solemn Opening of the Cortes Generales on November 29, 2023, in Madrid, Spain

The official ceremony begins with the welcoming of the Spanish Monarch, his or her spouse, and members of the Spanish royal family by the Prime Minister and the Chief of the Defense Staff. The national anthem is played and the Spanish Monarch receives military honors and reviews the troops.

The Spanish monarch and his/her spouse and members of the Spanish royal family approach the steps of the Palacio de las Cortes where they are greeted by the Speakers of the Congress of Deputies and the Senate and other legislative officials. After entering the Palacio de las Cortes through the Puerta de los Leones (Doors of the Lions), used on only solemn occasions, the royal party and the government officials make their way to the Chamber of Congress of the Deputies.

All stand during the playing of the national anthem. In the middle, left to right are King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and their elder daughter Infanta Leonor, The Princess of Asturias, the heir presumptive to the throne of Spain; Credit – Spanish Royal House

After the Spanish monarch, his/her spouse, royal family members, and those accompanying them arrive in the Chamber of Congress of the Deputies, the national anthem is played. The President of the Congress of Deputies gives a speech.

King Felipe VI giving his speech at the 2023 Solemn Opening of the Cortes Generales; Credit – Wikipedia

Next, the Spanish monarch gives his/her speech and then declares that the Cortes Generales is open. Finally, official photos are taken with the Spanish monarch and government leader, and guests are greeted. Outside the Palacio de las Cortes, a military parade caps off the day’s events.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Works Cited

  • Casa Real pide la apertura solemne de las Cortes antes del 6-D para blindar el Día de la Constitución. (2023). Vozpópuli. https://www.vozpopuli.com/espana/casa-real-apertura-cortes.html
  • Edificio en Madrid, sede del Congreso de los Diputados. (2005). Wikipedia.org; Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palacio_de_las_Cortes
  • Solemn Opening of the Parliament of Spain. (2024). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solemn_Opening_of_the_Parliament_of_Spain
  • Solemne Apertura de las Cortes Generales del Reino.  (2016). Wikipedia.org; Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solemne_Apertura_de_las_Cortes_Generales_del_Reino
  • The King of Spain presides over the solemn opening of the XV legislature – Jose A Martin – United States Press Agency News (USPA News). (2023). United States Press Agency News (USPA News). https://www.uspa24.com/bericht-23874/the-kings-of-spain-preside-over-the-solemn-opening-of-the-xv-legislature.html