Sweden: The King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden is seen getting the coronavirus vaccination

16 Jan, 2021 by Helena-Reet Ennet

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NordenBladet – King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden has received the vaccination against coronavirus. Underlining his belief in the importance of the jab, the monarch was photographed as he was given the injection.

King Carl Gustaf received the vaccination on January 15th at Stenhammar where he has been staying through this latest phase of the pandemic with Queen Silvia. Her Majesty also received the jab although no image was released.

The Swedish king released a short statement following his vaccination, saying ”the great vaccination programme against Covid-19 is now underway around our country. It is my hope that everyone who has the opportunity to be vaccinated in these coming months chooses to do so, so that together we can get through this difficult time.”

King Carl Gustaf will celebrate his 75th birthday in April while Queen Silvia turned 77 in December. At the end of last year, they tested negative for coronavius after underdoing checks when it was confirmed that their son, Prince Carl Philip, and his wife, Princess Sofia, had both contracted the illness. They have since made a full recovery and announced soon afterwards that they are expecting a baby in the spring.

In recent months, the King of Sweden has been critical of his government’s approach to the pandemic, saying ”I think we have failed. We have a large number who have died and that is terrible.”

Sweden has taken one of the most notably relaxed approaches in the world to dealing with the pandemic. The country has never held a full lockdown and most measures to control the spread are advisory rather than compulsory. Since the outbreak began, Sweden has recorded over 7,800 deaths, a much higher toll than neighbouring Scandinavian nations. Speaking after the comments became public, Sweden’s Prime Minister, Stefan Lofven, said ”the fact that so many have died can’t be considered as anything other than a failure” but continued that a proper verdict on the strategy wouldn’t possible until after the pandemic was over.

Photo by Sara Friberg, The Royal Court of Sweden