NordenBladet – Today festivities all over Sweden are taking place as the country celebrates Nationaldagen or its National Day*. Of course, the Swedish Royal Family is out in full force to join in the celebrations. Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar have already wished everyone a happy National Day with three new photos, as is the tradition.
On the 6th of June, Sweden celebrates its National Day. On this day the Swedes remember the election of King Gustaf Vasa which is considered the moment on which modern Sweden was founded. On this day, the country officially split from Denmark.
This morning, Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar sent everyone their National Day greetings as the Royal Court released three new pictures of the children of Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel. In the photographs, Princess Estelle can be seen wearing Sweden’s National Costume, designed by her grandmother Queen Silvia.
The images were taken in the gardens of Haga Palace, the home of the Crown Princess Family. The Swedish Royal Family established this new tradition of releasing pictures of the children of Crown Princess Victoria on the morning of the National Day after the birth of Estelle.
This morning, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia opened the gates of the Royal Palace of Stockholm to visitors. In honour of National Day, visitors are able to visit the Palace for free. There are different activities for children; there is music, food and an information stand about the World Childhood Foundation. In the information stand of the WCF, the children’s book of Princess Madeleine, “Stella och hemligheten” was sold. The Princess also signed the copies of the book in the late afternoon.
Meanwhile, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia celebrated National Day in Dalarna. The King and Queen first visited Borlänge, where they were shown around in Alice Lund Textiles and met with the people who had gathered to see them. They ended their visit to Dalarna in Ludvika where they officially welcomed new Swedish citizens during a ceremony with music and speeches. Then, the Royal Couple lunched with invited guests.
In the early afternoon, Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel stepped out of their home, Haga Palace to join in the festivities in honour of the National Day with their neighbours. In Haga Park, a big, early summer concert was held with participants of the Royal Opera and school children. The Crown Princess Couple also saw a ballet performance, and the Crown Princess gave a speech.
The King and Queen during the National Day celebrations in Dalarna. (Photo: Sara Friberg, Kungl. Hovstaterna)
Later today, the King, Queen, Crown Princess Couple, Prince Couple and Princess Madeleine will attend the traditional National Day Concert in Skansen. They will arrive by horse and carriage, and it is expected that Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar will join their parents in the carriage.
This evening, the King and Queen will host guests for a reception to end the National Day festivities.
2x Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar at Haga Castle (Photo: Linda Broström, Kungl. Hovstaterna)
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* National Day of Sweden (Swedish: Sveriges nationaldag) is a national holiday observed in Sweden on 6 June every year. Prior to 1983, the day was celebrated as the Swedish Flag Day (Swedish: Svenska flaggans dag). At that time, the day was renamed the Swedish national day by the Riksdag.
The tradition of celebrating this date began 1916 at the Stockholm Olympic Stadium, in honour of the election of King Gustav Vasa in 1523, as this was considered the foundation of modern Sweden.
Some question the validity of this as a national holiday, as it was not observed as a holiday until decades later. However this event does signify the end of the Danish-ruled Kalmar Union, so in a sense it is a marking of Swedish independence, though the event occurred so long ago that it does not have as strong of a presence in the social consciousness as does, for example, the Norwegian Constitution Day, Syttende Mai.
In 2005 it became an official Swedish public holiday, replacing Whit Monday. This change led to fewer days off from work (more working-days) as 6 June will periodically fall on the weekend, unlike Whit Monday, which was always celebrated on a Monday. This has in turn led to complaints from some Swedish unions.
Featured image: Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar (Photo: Linda Broström, Kungl. Hovstaterna)